Can early childhood education programs support positive outcomes for indigenous children? A systematic review of the international literature

Abstract

A robust body of literature demonstrates the positive impact of quality early childhood education on learning and development, particularly for disadvantaged children. This should extend to indigenous children, who often face barriers to positive learning and developmental outcomes. However, research on the impact of early education specifically for indigenous children is sparse. This systematic review of the international literature identified programs in early childhood education settings targeting indigenous children's learning, development and wellbeing. It sought to identify key features of each program and how acceptable they were to the community. Twelve experimental or quasi-experime..