Challenges and Demands in Indigenous Early Childhood Education: A systematic literature review

Authors

  • Shahrul Afzan Samsul Ali Faculty of Human Development, Sultan Idris Education University, Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia
  • Abdul Halim Masnan Faculty of Human Development, Sultan Idris Education University, Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia
  • Nurul Khairani Ismail Faculty of Education, National University of Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v10iSI33.7071

Keywords:

Challenges, Demands, Early Childhood Education, Indigenous

Abstract

Previous studies have extensively discussed the quality of early childhood education (ECE); however, research specifically focusing on Indigenous ECE remains limited. This gap highlights the need for systematic research. This review aims to identify the challenges and needs in the preschool education of Indigenous children. The review process involved five steps: the use of a review protocol, formulation of research questions, systematic searches in databases such as Scopus, ERIC, and Science Direct, followed by quality appraisal, data extraction, and analysis. Notably, the thematic analysis identified four main themes: culture and language, relationship and engagement, guideline documents, and resources.

References

Becerra-Lubies, R. (2021). Intercultural education and early childhood: strengthening knowledge based on Indigenous communities and territory. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 17(2), 326–334.

Becerra-Lubies, R., Fernández, C., Luna, L., & Moya, D. (2023). Teaching indigenous languages in early childhood: the case of the indigenous language educator in Chile. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 27(3), 332-345.

Becerra-Lubies, R., Mayo, S., & Fones, A. (2019). Revitalization of indigenous languages and cultures: critical review of preschool bilingual educational policies in Chile (2007–2016). International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 24(8), 1147-1162.,

Becerra-Lubies, R., & Moya, M. (2023). Participation of Mapuche organizations in intercultural education for children: limitations and possibilities in Chile. Diaspora, Indigenous, and Minority Education, 17(2), 117–131.

Caro, C. M. S. (2019). Positive discrimination policies and indigenous- based ECEC services in Bogota, Colombia. Social Sciences, 8(2).

Chen, B. C. (2023). Non-indigenous preschool teachers’ culturally relevant pedagogy in the indigenous areas of Taiwan. International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy, 17(1).

Delprato, M. (2021). Indigenous learning gaps and home language instruction: New evidence from PISA-D. International Journal of Educational Research, 109, 101800.

Derby, M. (2023). Talking Together: The Effects of Traditional Māori Pedagogy on Children’s Early Literacy Development. Education Sciences, 13(2).

Elek, C., Gubhaju, L., Lloyd-Johnsen, C., Eades, S., & Goldfeld, S. (2020). Can early childhood education programs support positive outcomes for indigenous children? A systematic review of the international literature. Educational Research Review, 31, 100363.

Gerlach, A. J., & Gignac, J. (2019). Exploring continuities between family engagement and well-being in aboriginal head start programs in Canada: A qualitative inquiry. Infants and Young Children, 32(1), 60–74.

Gobena, G. A. (2020). Factors Influencing Participation in Early Childhood Education: Its Implication to Quality-Education. International Online Journal of Education and Teaching, 7(1), 355-371.

Harju-Luukkainen, H., Berg, K., & Kolberg, A. (2021). “I sámifize it...” Preschool in the Centre of South Sámi Language and Culture Learning in Norway. International Research in Early Childhood Education, 65(2), 2021.

Henward, A. S., Tauaa, M., & Turituri, R. (2019). Contextualizing child-centeredness: Lessons from an American Samoan Head Start. Policy Futures in Education, 17(3), 383–401.

Henward, A., Tauaa, M., & Turituri, R. (2019). Remaking, reweaving and indigenizing curriculum: Lessons from an American Samoa Head Start program. Journal of Pedagogy, 10(1), 33–55.

Hong, Q. N., Fàbregues, S., Bartlett, G., Boardman, F., Cargo, M., Dagenais, P., ... & Pluye, P. (2018). The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) version 2018 for information professionals and researchers. Education for information, 34(4), 285-291.

Joshi, P. (2021). Partnering with Indigenous Communities to Develop an Equitable Early Childhood Education Curriculum in Odisha, India. Asia-Pacific Journal of Research in Early Childhood Education, 15(1), 9–28.

Kess, R., & Puroila, A. M. (2023). Narratives from the North: Early Childhood Teachers’ Narrative Identities in Place. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 67(1), 126–139.

Kiger, M. E., & Varpio, L. (2020). Thematic analysis of qualitative data: AMEE Guide No. 131. Medical Teacher, 42(8), 846–854.

Kraus, S., Breier, M., & Dasí-Rodríguez, S. (2020). The art of crafting a systematic literature review in entrepreneurship research. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 16(3),

Lamb, I. (2021). Are early childhood educators in Southern Ontario being sufficiently prepared for teaching Indigenous students? Journal of Early Childhood Research, 19(1), 55–69.

Locke, M. (2022). Asking the experts: Indigenous educators as leaders in early education and care settings in Australia. The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 51(2).

Lockwood, C., Munn, Z., & Porritt, K. (2015). Qualitative research synthesis: Methodological guidance for systematic reviewers utilizing meta-aggregation. International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare, 13(3),

Page, J., Murray, L., Niklas, F., Eadie, P., Cock, M. L., Scull, J., & Sparling, J. (2022). Parent Mastery of Conversational Reading at Playgroup in Two Remote Northern Territory Communities. Early Childhood Education Journal, 50(2), 233–247.

Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., ... & Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. bmj, 372.

Peterson, Huston, & Loon. (2019). Professional Lives and Initial Teacher Education Experiences of Indigenous Early Childhood Educators, Childcare Workers, and Teachers in Northern Ontario. Brock Education Journal, 28(2), 17-32.

Probine, S., Perry, J., Burke, R., Alderson, J., & McAlevey, F. (2023). An Examination of Inquiry-Based Project Learning in Early Childhood Settings in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Early Childhood Education Journal, 52(6), 1083-1093.

Rameka, L., & Stagg Peterson, S. (2021). Sustaining Indigenous languages and cultures: Māori medium education in Aotearoa New Zealand and Aboriginal Head Start in Canada. Kōtuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online, 16(2), 307-323.

Ravna, Z. V. (2021). “Skills come with experience” a pedagogical study of different forms of communication in Nenets nomadic communities in Northern Russia. Learning and Instruction, 71, 101373.

Riquelme Mella, E., Nahuelcheo, M., Padilla Soto, E., Calfunao, F., Toledo, J., Bizama, K., & Jara, E. (2023). Socialization of Knowing How to Feel through the Epew in Mapuche Culture: Guidelines for Early Childhood Education. Education Sciences, 13(6), 622.

Scrine, C., Farrant, B., Michie, C., Shepherd, C., & Wright, M. (2020). Raising strong, solid Koolunga: Values and beliefs about early child development among Perth’s Aboriginal community. Children Australia, 45(1), 40–47.

Shaffril, H. A. M., Krauss, S. E., & Samsuddin, S. F. (2018). A systematic review on Asian’s farmers’ adaptation practices towards climate change. Science of the Total Environment, 644, 683–695.

Sianturi, M., Chiang, C. L., & Hurit, A. A. (2018). Impact of a place-based education curriculum on indigenous teacher and students. International Journal of Instruction, 11(1), 311–328.

Tamati, A., Ratima, M., Hond-Flavell, E., Edwards, W., Hond, R., Korewha, H., Treharne, G. J., Theodore, R., & Poulton, R. (2021). Understanding strengths-based mäori child development constructs in kaupapa mäori early years provision. MAI Journal, 10(1), 17–29.

Tapia, A. A. (2020). Cultures of accountability in indigenous early childhood education in Mexico. Educacao and Realidade, 45(2), 1–19.

Townley, C., Grace, R., Woodrow, C., Baker, E., Staples, K., Locke, M. L., Kaplun, C., & Kaplun, C. (2023). Educator perspectives on embedding Acknowledgement to Country practices in early learning centres in Australia. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, 48(2), 86-98.

Tualaulelei, E., & Taylor-Leech, K. (2021). Building positive identities in a culturally safe space: An ethnographic case study from Queensland, Australia. Diaspora, Indigenous, and Minority Education, 15(2), 137–149.

United Nations. (2007). United Nations declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. United Nations General Assembly.

Webb, G., & Williams, C. (2019). Interactions between children and their early childhood educators: The effect of cultural match on communication. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, 44(1), 48–62.

Williams, N., Fletcher, J., & Ma, T. (2023). Advice from Māori Experts for Bicultural Early Childhood Education in Aotearoa New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies, 58(2), 271-290.

Downloads

Published

2025-06-15

How to Cite

Samsul Ali, S. A., Masnan, A. H., & Ismail, N. K. (2025). Challenges and Demands in Indigenous Early Childhood Education: A systematic literature review . Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal, 10(SI33), 89–95. https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v10iSI33.7071