Warren, Jane D.

Overview

My experience as an early childhood practitioner, both in preschool, and in supported playgroup informs, strengthens and adds credibility to my research interests. These include:
- early childhood education
- inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood education and care (ECEC) centres
- working with families of children with disabilities
- engagement and participation of children with disabilities.

Underpinned by an ecological framework, my research around inclusion of children with disabilities in ECEC centres recognises the importance of a collaborative approach; in particular between parents and early childhood educators. I am committed to the rights of all children, and the synergy between my role as an academic and a practitioner put me in a unique space as a researcher in the field.

Research Areas

Selected Publications

Journal Article

Year	Title
2019	Transitions outside the mainstream: Stories of children and their families Published In Australasian Journal of Early Childhood Volume Online First Pages 1 - 13 ISSN 0312-5033 Altmetric
2018	Three variations on the Australian supported playgroup model Published In International Journal of Social Welfare Volume Online First Pages 1 - 12 ISSN 1369-6866 Altmetric
2017	Inspiring environmentally responsible preschool children through the implementation of the National Quality Framework: Uncovering what lies between theory and practice Published In Australasian Journal of Early Childhood Volume 42 Pages 12 - 19 ISSN 0312-5033 Altmetric
2016	Transition of children with disabilities into early childhood education and care centres Published In Australasian Journal of Early Childhood Volume 41 Pages 18 - 26 ISSN 0312-5033

Impact Story

The Sensory Made Inclusive Leisure Environment (SMILE) Collaboration
Summary
Drawing on international experience and research, the SMILE project looked at the benefits of developing a community-based multi-sensory environment (MSE) at the Horsley Community Centre in the Illawarra. The project was forged through a unique partnership between CareWays Illawarra and the University of Wollongong (UOW). This project used participatory action research to foster the involvement of people with disabilities, their carers, families and disability services to assist in the development and design of the space to best meet the needs of the whole community. A MSE provides a safe, non-threatening environment for children and adults with cognitive, behavioural and physical impairments to engage in a range of sensory experiences. The experiences provided by a MSE can both calm and stimulate the primary senses using sensory-based materials such as fibre optics sprays, bubble tubes, music, colour, lighting and aroma.

Detail View

Detail View Summary View
Detail of Impact
The project utilised a community based participatory research approach to build on the strengths and resources within the community to develop a multi-sensory environment (MSE). The strength of this approach came from giving a voice to the parents, carers and people with disabilities, who are often marginalised. This inclusive approach was applied throughout the three phases of the research study. (The strong impact of this approach was evidenced throughout the three phases of the research study in that parents, carers and people with disabilities who are often marginalised were given a voice.) By giving a voice to these stakeholders who are not often heard in research proejcts, enabled the research team to develop new perspectives on knowledge and understanding of this topic. (This approach also led to the development of new knowledge for a variety of stakeholders whose voices are not often heard in research projects.)The other impact was the provision of a publicly available leisure and respite option for families and individuals, especially those living with a disability. Access to a resource like our MSE is an increasingly important issue (area) for families with a member with disabilities or mental health issues.This best practice MSE also impacts on self-determination of individuals as it allows the individual to choose the equipment that they interact with in the room. Also the MSE has impact beyond the Illawarra in that it has provided a model for the development of a best practice model for flexible use, community based, multi-sensory environments in Australia and overseas.
Field of Research
Countries / Regions
Beneficiaries

Beneficiary Quantification Description
External Partners
Evidence of Impact

Evidence Description
UOW Centres / Programs
UOW Researchers / Collaborators

Advisees

Graduate Advising Relationship

Degree	Research Title	Advisee
Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)	TBA	Cameron, Allison
Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)	The Parent's Perspective of Teacher's Ability to Meet the Needs of their Children with Disabilities	Johnston, Jennifer
Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)	Music Knowledge, Understanding and Practices among Early Childhood Educators	Zink, Renae
Doctor of Philosophy	Influential Factors of Bullying for Secondary Students on the Autism Spectrum	Rowland, Susannah
Doctor of Philosophy	Making the Invisible Visible: How Low Socio-economic Status Parents Beliefs Impact on Educational Aspirations for their Children	McGowan, Sandra
Doctor of Education	Exploring the Connections Between Technology, Parents, Educators and Children	Sheridan, Naomi
Doctor of Philosophy	The impact of technology in the development of social communication skills in young learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders.	Albalawi, Fahad
Doctor of Philosophy	Gumnuts and Seashells: Evaluating the Impact of the Forest School Approach in an Australian Context	Pollock, Krista
Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)	Using the Econlogical Systems Theory to Analyze How Chinese Immigrant Partnts of Children with Disabilities Make Decisions at Times of Educational Transitions	Lu, Luyao

Education And Training

Doctor of Education in Education, University of Wollongong, Education, Transition of children with disabilities into ECEC centres 2006 - 2013

Credentials

Ed D, 2014
M Ed (Spec Ed), 1998
B Ed (EC), 1991
Dip Teach (EC), 1989

Teaching Overview

I am part of the passionate and vibrant Early Years team here at UOW. I teach in a range of subjects across the degree - including play and pedagogy, historical perspectives, early intervention, inclusive education, and an early years project subject.

I trained as an early childhood teacher and have experience working with young children as both a teacher and Director in ECEC centres, as well as working with children with a range of disabilities in supported playgroup settings.

My goal as a teacher here at UOW is to share my experience and inspire our students to be passionate and dedicated leaders in the Early Childhood sector.

Full Name

Dr Jane Warren

Mailing Address

Office - 23.G03, School of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences

University of Wollongong

Wollongong

NSW

2522

Australia

Geographic Location

University of Wollongong

Research Areas

Selected Publications

Journal Article

Year	Title
2019	Transitions outside the mainstream: Stories of children and their families Published In Australasian Journal of Early Childhood Volume Online First Pages 1 - 13 ISSN 0312-5033 Altmetric
2018	Three variations on the Australian supported playgroup model Published In International Journal of Social Welfare Volume Online First Pages 1 - 12 ISSN 1369-6866 Altmetric
2017	Inspiring environmentally responsible preschool children through the implementation of the National Quality Framework: Uncovering what lies between theory and practice Published In Australasian Journal of Early Childhood Volume 42 Pages 12 - 19 ISSN 0312-5033 Altmetric
2016	Transition of children with disabilities into early childhood education and care centres Published In Australasian Journal of Early Childhood Volume 41 Pages 18 - 26 ISSN 0312-5033

Impact Story

The Sensory Made Inclusive Leisure Environment (SMILE) Collaboration
Summary
Drawing on international experience and research, the SMILE project looked at the benefits of developing a community-based multi-sensory environment (MSE) at the Horsley Community Centre in the Illawarra. The project was forged through a unique partnership between CareWays Illawarra and the University of Wollongong (UOW). This project used participatory action research to foster the involvement of people with disabilities, their carers, families and disability services to assist in the development and design of the space to best meet the needs of the whole community. A MSE provides a safe, non-threatening environment for children and adults with cognitive, behavioural and physical impairments to engage in a range of sensory experiences. The experiences provided by a MSE can both calm and stimulate the primary senses using sensory-based materials such as fibre optics sprays, bubble tubes, music, colour, lighting and aroma.

Detail View

Detail View Summary View
Detail of Impact
The project utilised a community based participatory research approach to build on the strengths and resources within the community to develop a multi-sensory environment (MSE). The strength of this approach came from giving a voice to the parents, carers and people with disabilities, who are often marginalised. This inclusive approach was applied throughout the three phases of the research study. (The strong impact of this approach was evidenced throughout the three phases of the research study in that parents, carers and people with disabilities who are often marginalised were given a voice.) By giving a voice to these stakeholders who are not often heard in research proejcts, enabled the research team to develop new perspectives on knowledge and understanding of this topic. (This approach also led to the development of new knowledge for a variety of stakeholders whose voices are not often heard in research projects.)The other impact was the provision of a publicly available leisure and respite option for families and individuals, especially those living with a disability. Access to a resource like our MSE is an increasingly important issue (area) for families with a member with disabilities or mental health issues.This best practice MSE also impacts on self-determination of individuals as it allows the individual to choose the equipment that they interact with in the room. Also the MSE has impact beyond the Illawarra in that it has provided a model for the development of a best practice model for flexible use, community based, multi-sensory environments in Australia and overseas.
Field of Research
Countries / Regions
Beneficiaries

Beneficiary Quantification Description
External Partners
Evidence of Impact

Evidence Description
UOW Centres / Programs
UOW Researchers / Collaborators

Advisees

Graduate Advising Relationship

Degree	Research Title	Advisee
Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)	TBA	Cameron, Allison
Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)	The Parent's Perspective of Teacher's Ability to Meet the Needs of their Children with Disabilities	Johnston, Jennifer
Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)	Music Knowledge, Understanding and Practices among Early Childhood Educators	Zink, Renae
Doctor of Philosophy	Influential Factors of Bullying for Secondary Students on the Autism Spectrum	Rowland, Susannah
Doctor of Philosophy	Making the Invisible Visible: How Low Socio-economic Status Parents Beliefs Impact on Educational Aspirations for their Children	McGowan, Sandra
Doctor of Education	Exploring the Connections Between Technology, Parents, Educators and Children	Sheridan, Naomi
Doctor of Philosophy	The impact of technology in the development of social communication skills in young learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders.	Albalawi, Fahad
Doctor of Philosophy	Gumnuts and Seashells: Evaluating the Impact of the Forest School Approach in an Australian Context	Pollock, Krista
Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)	Using the Econlogical Systems Theory to Analyze How Chinese Immigrant Partnts of Children with Disabilities Make Decisions at Times of Educational Transitions	Lu, Luyao

Education And Training

Doctor of Education in Education, University of Wollongong, Education, Transition of children with disabilities into ECEC centres 2006 - 2013

Credentials

Ed D, 2014
M Ed (Spec Ed), 1998
B Ed (EC), 1991
Dip Teach (EC), 1989

Teaching Overview

I am part of the passionate and vibrant Early Years team here at UOW. I teach in a range of subjects across the degree - including play and pedagogy, historical perspectives, early intervention, inclusive education, and an early years project subject.

I trained as an early childhood teacher and have experience working with young children as both a teacher and Director in ECEC centres, as well as working with children with a range of disabilities in supported playgroup settings.

My goal as a teacher here at UOW is to share my experience and inspire our students to be passionate and dedicated leaders in the Early Childhood sector.

Full Name

Dr Jane Warren

Mailing Address

Office - 23.G03, School of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences

University of Wollongong

Wollongong

NSW

2522

Australia

Geographic Location

University of Wollongong

Overview

Overview

Research Areas

Publications

Selected Publications

Journal Article

Impact

Impact Story

The Sensory Made Inclusive Leisure Environment (SMILE) Collaboration

Supervision

Advisees

Graduate Advising Relationship

Background

Education And Training

Credentials

Teaching Overview

Contact

Full Name

Mailing Address

Geographic Location

Overview

Research Areas

Publications

Selected Publications

Journal Article

Impact

Impact Story

The Sensory Made Inclusive Leisure Environment (SMILE) Collaboration

Supervision

Advisees

Graduate Advising Relationship

Background

Education And Training

Credentials

Teaching Overview

Contact

Full Name

Mailing Address

Geographic Location

Visualisations

Research Areas