In this work, we aim to present the Portuguese blog PrimeirosAnos.pt that intends to: strengthen links between research and practice in Early Childhood Education (ECE), focusing on topics such as ECE quality, diversity, and inclusion; increase awareness about social inclusion; develop positive attitudes towards research/innovation; promote opportunities for discussion between ECE teachers, teacher educators, researchers, and policy makers. Despite the increase in research about ECE, which may support high-quality and inclusive practices, there is a need to increase the links between empirical evidence and everyday practices (e.g., Allen, Stanton, Di Pietro, & Moseley, 2013). This blog is based on theoretical and conceptual models that assume the importance of high-quality ECE settings for every child’s development and well-being (e.g., Bryant, Zaslow, & Burchinal, 2010) and the importance of teacher professional development (e.g., Slot et al., 2017). PrimeirosAnos.pt is developed by researchers/teacher educators, from three Portuguese institutions, who publish research-based posts to disseminate research findings and support practical and reliable access to information. Four focus groups were conducted with ECE teachers to learn about practitioners’ information seeking needs and strategies. The project complies with national data protection recommendations. The blog is reaching a substantial number of readers, directly or through social networks. We present and discuss data on post reach and ECE teachers’ interactions with the blog. This work has the potential to promote the discussion about updated scientific results/innovative practices, contributing for teachers’ reflections on their practices, and to inform the content of training programs and curricular plans that enable teaching.

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social inclusion,diversity,ECE quality professional development,blog

Esta publicação é um output do(s) seguinte(s) projeto(s):

• A Blog as open learning platform for the field of Early Childhood Education about Research and Innovation to support Disadvantaged and Diverse children