What first inspired your lifelong focus on early childhood education?
Because I worked with older children with difficulties learning to read and write, I then worked with younger and younger children trying to understand better the earlier stages of learning.
If you could visit any early learning centre worldwide, where would you go?
Sweden!
How do you see play-based learning evolving in the next few years?
The important aspect of play-based learning, which is the engagement of the educators with the children, and their understanding of their role becoming more sophisticated.
What’s one misconception about ECE you’d love to set straight?
Just let them play!
What impact do you hope your resources have on day-to-day teaching?
To help educators think more clearly and carefully about the significance of their role in young children’s learning.
What children’s book or series never fails to make you smile?
The Mr Men books!
About Bridie Raban
Bridie Raban was the Foundation Mooroolbeek Professor of Early Childhood Studies at the University of Melbourne. She is currently an Honorary Professorial Fellow at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education and in 2021, she was awarded an Honorary University Fellowship by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU). Her past research has focused on language and literacy development, teacher change and development, curriculum and assessment for the early childhood years and quality provision. She was the first Professor of Early Childhood Education in Victoria and the second in Australia, and before this she was Professor of Primary Education (Early Years) at the University of Warwick and President of the UK Reading Association.
