Research Output per year
Personal profile
Personal profile
Laura is a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education at Charles Sturt University in the School of Education. Prior to commencing in an academic role, she worked as an early childhood educator for ten years. She has also held roles in family support at a community health service, and as a consultant for Early Childhood Australia (ECA). At ECA, Laura supported early childhood educators to implement the Be You initiative, which is the national initiative to support mental health in schools and early learning services.
Laura is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and was awarded an Australian Government Office of Learning and Teaching citation for sustained excellence in scholarship in early childhood education that enhances student learning by connecting research, families and communities. Laura is a member of the editorial board for the Australasian Journal of Early Childhood (AJEC).
Research Interests
The overaching theme of Laura's research is supporting the mental health and well being of children, families and educators in the early childhood education context. Laura's research focuses on supporting quality relationships amongst children families and educators, in order to provide the best outcomes for children. Laura's research recognises the importance of a whole of service approach to supporting mental health and well being and she is particularly interested in the role of leadership in creating mentally healthy early learning communities. Laura's research has also explored the role of nature and nature pedagogy in supporting children's well-being. She has recently co-authored a chapter in the first international handbook of children and nature.
Professional Information
Laura is a member of the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) and Early Childhood Australia (ECA)
Education/Academic qualification
Human Development and Family Relationships, PhD, The University of Texas at Austin
Award Date: 21 Dec 2000
Human Development and Family Relationships, M.A., The University of Texas at Austin
Award Date: 20 Dec 1998
Psychology, B.A., The University of Texas at Austin
Award Date: 21 Dec 1995
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Research Output
A systems approach to examining children’s opportunities for outdoor risky play: Parents and educators as gatekeepers
McFarland, L. & Laird, S., 06 Apr 2020, (Accepted/In press) Research handbook on childhoodnature : Assemblages of childhood and nature research. Cutter-Mackenzie, A., Malone, K. & Barratt Hacking, E. (eds.). Switzerland: SpringerResearch output: Book chapter/Published conference paper › Chapter (peer-reviewed)
Unfogging the future: Investigating a strengths-based program to build capacity and resilience in parents with mental illness
McFarland, L. & Fenton, A., 02 Jan 2019, In : Advances in Mental Health. 17, 1, p. 21-32 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
1
Citation
(Scopus)
Building early childhood educators' capacity to apply a strengths approach to working with families
Fenton, A. & McFarland, L., 2018, In : New Zealand International Research in Early Childhood Education . 21, 2, p. 19-31 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
Co-development of an educator reflection and assessment tool for children under-3
Linda, H., Mulhearn, G., Janus, M., Wong, S., Elwick, S., McFarland, L. & Williams, K., 2018.Research output: Other contribution to conference › Presentation only
Convergence of multiple perspectives on achieving optimal early childhood environments for development and learning for children under 3
Janus, M., Harrison, L., Mulhearn, G., Sumsion, J., Wong, S., Elwick, S., McFarland, L. & Williams, K. E., 2018.Research output: Other contribution to conference › Poster
Prizes
CSU Faculty & Division Awards for Academic Excellence
McFarland, Laura (Recipient), 2015
Prize: Other distinction
CSU Faculty of Education Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
McFarland, Laura (Recipient), 2015
Prize: Other distinction
Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
McFarland, Laura (Recipient), 2019
Prize: Award
Press / Media
Why it matters to transform parent involvement from early childhood to primary school
Laura McFarland & Angela Fenton
20/07/17
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
Why it matters to transform parent involvement from early childhood to primary school
Laura McFarland & Angela Fenton
13/07/17
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
Forget the fidget spinner and get ready for ... rocks
23/06/17
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
Forget fidget spinners, this is the new craze sweeping Sydney
22/06/17 → 23/06/17
108 items of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
Forget the fidget spinner, move aside Pokemon Go and get ready for ... rocks
22/06/17
4 items of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media