UWTSD lecturer’s bilingual storytelling research published in influential UK early education journal
Alison Rees Edwards, a lecturer at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), has co-authored a bilingual article for the latest issue of the Early Education Journal, bringing Welsh-language early years expertise to a UK-wide audience
Professor Cathy Nutbrown, President of Early Education and one of the most respected international voices in early years education, invited Alison to contribute to the issue. The article explores bilingualism and storytelling in early childhood education.
In a significant step for the journal, the piece has been published in both Welsh and English. This recognises the importance of bilingual practice and Welsh-medium education, while enabling readers across the UK to learn from Wales’s distinctive approach to additional-language education.
The publication also highlights UWTSD’s work in preparing confident bilingual practitioners for the early years sector. Alison’s teaching explores the connection between storytelling, language development and literacy, supporting students to consider how storytelling can develop children’s communication, creativity and learning.
The collaboration recognises the quality and relevance of Alison’s teaching and research, including the language and literacy provision within UWTSD’s Early Years degree programmes.
Alison Rees Edwards said:
“Professor Cathy Nutbrown is a renowned name in the field of early years, and I have drawn on many of her publications throughout my own journey, first as an Early Years student, and now as a lecturer when developing sessions for our current students. For Professor Cathy Nutbrown to contact me directly and invite me to write an article on storytelling for an upcoming issue of the Early Education Journal was an unbelievable experience. During our video call, I found myself in awe, quietly reminding myself, ‘You are speaking with Cathy Nutbrown.’
“Hearing her speak so positively and her appreciation of the opportunities our Early Years students experience within their studies was especially rewarding. In particular, her recognition of their engagement with storytelling, from understanding its role in children’s language development and early literacy, to exploring the importance of bilingual storytelling and reflecting on their own storytelling behaviours, made me feel very proud of our language and literacy module. This module remains a fundamental part of our Early Years degree programmes.
“I was also pleased to share examples of our students’ work, including images and quotations from those who chose to use the University’s immersive room to create digital storytelling experiences. These opportunities not only demonstrate creativity and innovation, but also offer meaningful resources for future students and practitioners.
“In addition, Professor Cathy Nutbrown was keen for the article to be bilingual. As a Welsh speaker, I was delighted to be able to produce a Welsh version for the journal, which is now available to read online.”
The publication provides a valuable platform to highlight UWTSD’s Welsh-medium provision and its contribution to the development of bilingual practice within the early years sector. It also enables the University’s expertise to reach a wider professional audience across the UK.
Professor Cathy Nutbrown added:
“When I was thinking about which four articles might be most useful in this issue marking the National Year of Reading, I felt it was important to ensure we included an article on bilingualism. Addressing issues of practitioner skills was important too. This piece focuses on the beginning of professional engagement with young children around stories and language more broadly.
“We included the online version in Welsh because we wanted to recognise our Welsh membership here, and you kindly provided the Welsh language copy - your generosity in providing this made it possible.
“Having worked on the Early Years Workforce Four UK Nations project, I felt that including a Welsh version was about recognising and respecting identity and culture as well as a language.
“The article is valuable to all who work, across the UK, with children who use many, many languages. Practices and principles are the same.”
Further Information
Lowri Thomas
Principal Communications and PR Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07449 998476