2023 Jenny Leaper Lecture: The Village Matters

The Village Matters: Widening Our Examination of Early Experiences that Enhance Children’s Preschool Outcomes.

Presented by Dr Jennifer LoCasale-Crouch

Investing in young children’s learning and development can lead to a lifetime of rewards, including future academic success, increased earning potential, and responsible citizenry. High-quality early care and education is thought to be one of the best policy levers to improve school success but, despite significant investments, we as a society are falling short in providing the opportunities for all children to learn and thrive in school contexts. Understanding how and why these gaps in early school success exist is a complicated yet crucial topic.

 

Researchers are beginning to think more ecologically in examining children’s school readiness, considering more closely the full range of contexts children grow up in to better complete the developmental inputs picture. Communities represent one such system worth exploring as they play an essential part in children’s development and are potential targets for policy prevention and intervention efforts. Although community characteristics are well documented determinants of adolescent and adult health and well-being, surprisingly little is known about how they shape children’s early school success.

 

This talk will explore new approaches to addressing this gap and how insights can move societies forward in understanding, and supporting, a range of avenues to ensure all children thrive.

 

Refreshments from 5pm, Lecture 5.30-6.30pm

 

Forum Theatre, Room 153, Level 1, Arts West Building (North Wing), Royal Parade, Parkville, 3052 (please note the directions below for this lovely new venue).

 

Directions

 

Google maps

 

Public Transport (approx 2 minute walk): From tram route 19, stop 11 (University of Melbourne/Royal Parade), head north on Royal Parade, turn right toward Medical Road (take the stairs), turn right onto Medical Road and the Arts West building will be on your left.

 

Driving (approx 2 minute walk): From College Crescent/Parkville, continue onto Royal Parade (250m) and Royal Parade Car Park (11 Royal Parade) will be on your left. From carpark, head north towards Genetics Lane, turn right onto Genetics Lane, turn left onto Medical Road and the Arts West building will be on your right.

 

Register here