Cynthia Tan is investigating early learning in Singapore

Cynthia Tan is an early childhood professional based in Singapore with a particular interest in infant-toddler pedagogies. She has worked as the centre principal of a child study centre and a curriculum specialist. Her work currently involves elevating the professional development of early childhood teaching faculty. Cynthia’s doctoral thesis was on infant learning and involvement in Singapore early childhood settings. Here she talks about her decision to undertake a PhD, why she chose Deakin and the impact of research on early childhood learning.

Describe your project and why you chose this topic

My research study investigated how stakeholders (including parents, centre leaders and educators) view infant learning, and how early childhood educational settings meet infants’ learning needs in the everyday curriculum, in the Singapore context. In the study, the term ‘infants’ referred to children aged between two and 18 months.

Infant care still bears an image of custodial care, which can undermine the capabilities and potentials of infants. There is also a lack of research locally to examine issues related to infants in infant care, specifically in relation to aspects about their learning and development.

When I started the study, I had been an early childhood teacher and leader for several years. My frontline experience nurtured my desire to understand the context of education in my country more deeply.

What were you hoping to achieve?

I wanted to foreground the experiences of infants in infant care settings in Singapore and show how learning takes place in these settings.

I was also interested in drawing attention to the bodies of knowledge drawn upon by adult stakeholders (i.e. parents, leaders and educators) and how what is defined as ‘infant learning’ links with culture.

My project contributes to more local research in the Singapore context as well as to the international body of research on infants and toddlers. It highlights what is unique in infant curriculum and pedagogy, and advocates for the importance of evidence-informed practices.

Why did you decide to do your PhD at Deakin?

My supervisors were one of the main reasons that I decided to do my PhD at Deakin. I had connected professionally with them during my time at work and they had inspired me with their knowledge and views about the importance of research in early childhood practice.

Another key reason was Deakin’s cloud campus support, which was already in place pre-COVID. This allowed me to pursue my PhD while being based in Singapore, with ready access to resources such as the Deakin library and meeting with my supervisors online.

The Deakin library support staff made a big difference to my experience as a cloud campus student. The library chat function was one of the things I used the most during my PhD and the library staff over chat were always helpful and supportive.

How was your experience with your supervisors?

I do think I had the best supervisors! They were supportive, patient and guided me throughout the journey. They were especially encouraging, and recognised my capabilities even in those moments when I doubted myself whether I could complete this arduous task of doing a PhD!

They also showed care, and always reminded me that self-care is important.

They challenged my thinking and helped me grow as a professional. I always looked forward to our exchanges and discussions.

What was a highlight of your PhD?

Attending face-to-face summer schools (pre-COVID) were a highlight. I attended these at the Deakin Waterfront campus in 2018, 2019 and 2020. The summer schools were organised by the Faculty of Arts and Education, and travel costs were subsidised, which I truly appreciated.

Travelling to Deakin and participating in summer schools with other research students helped me see myself as part of a larger academic community and contributed to a sense of belonging, which was sometimes challenging as an off-campus student. The workshops were insightful and pivotal in developing my research knowledge and understandings.

Now that you have completed your PhD what are your next steps and challenges?

I am looking forward to publishing my research and applying what I’ve learnt about research writing during my PhD study. I am also keen to apply my new knowledge in both research and early childhood pedagogy into my everyday work as an early childhood professional.

I hope to share what I’ve learnt especially with the local community in Singapore, fellow educational researchers as well as practitioners. I particularly hope that sharing the value of researching childhood practice will encourage others to embark on research in ways that are accessible to them and in relation to everyday practice, such as through practitioner research and inquiry.

Cynthia Tan