Moving the Frontiers of Convention 1975-2003: An Overview of the Early Childhood Education Landscape

Abstract

There has been an early childhood convention every four years since 1975. In a keynote address to the Eighth Early Childhood Convention held at Palmerston North in September 2003, the author presented an overview analysis of these conventions in the pedagogical and political landscape of early childhood in Aotearoa-New Zealand. The resulting convention papers can be seen as signposts, outlining the pedagogical and political issues of the time. The convention forums have been a useful platform for: celebrating New Zealand early childhood education challenging entrenched opinion critiquing existing policy and practice signalling strategic directions forecasting new frontiers. This paper is an abbreviated and updated version of the keynote address. It summarises the debate and discourse on early childhood matters in Aotearoa-New Zealand from 1975 until 2003 through the medium of the conventions themselves.