The art and role of storytelling in Early Childhood Education - Chedly Fernando

Chedly teaches on both the Bachelor and Masters programmes in Early Childhood Education, and the Masters of Applied Professional Studies. Part of her role is supporting post-graduate tertiary students in their first experience of researching with young children - a crucial element in preparing future educators and researchers to work ethically and effectively with vulnerable populations. 

She is particularly interested in observational research methodology and says that students develop not only research-specific skills but also transferable skills, such as ethical awareness, critical analysis, open communication, and reflective practice. 

Chedly has written about these aspects of learning and incorporates these in her own research – individually and when leading collaborative projects. 

Her own research passions include nature-based education, sustainability, kaitiakitanga, language and literacy, the use of picturebooks in ECE and research with young children.

Recent journal articles include:

Fernando, C. M., Fraser, C., Tomsett, M., Dhaliwal, R., & Miller, M. (2025). When two become three: Individual consultations and the triadic research review process. Journal of Academic Language & Learning, 19 (1), 57-60. 

Fernando, C., & Kelly-Ware, J. (2023). Promoting kaitiakitanga using picturebooks. Early Childhood Folio, 27 (1), 16-21.