Dr Yuwen Ma

Position: Lecturer
Study area: Early Childhood Education
Location: Mt Helen Campus, H235a
Phone: 5327 6003
Email: yuwen.ma@federation.edu.au
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6435-5167

Qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy (Early Childhood Education) – Monash University, 2023

Master of Education (Early Childhood Education) – Nanjing Normal University, China, 2019

Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching – Henan University, China, 2016

Teaching

Courses

  • Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)
  • Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary)
  • Master of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)

Units

  • Planning, Supporting and Assessing (EDECE1020)
  • Numeracy and Digital Technology (EDECE2017)
  • Early Childhood Language and Literacies (EDECE2020/EDMAS6032)

Biography

Dr. Yuwen Ma is a lecturer in Early Childhood Education in the Institute of Education, Arts and Community. Her research is centred on play-based learning, enhancing children's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, fostering imagination and creativity, promoting children’s agency, and facilitating smooth transitions from early childhood to primary school. Additionally, she explores education policy to better support these areas. Yuwen collaborates extensively with international scholars and early childhood educators to design and implement effective professional development programmes. These programmes emphasise play-based pedagogy and STEM learning, aiming to promote teachers' confidence and competence in these critical areas.

Affiliated with the Conceptual PlayLab at Monash University, Yuwen brings a wealth of experience in play-based pedagogy, particularly through the Conceptual PlayWorld approach. She is skilled in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, with a particular focus on digital video observation and analysis.

Yuwen is passionate about empowering children through play and imagination in STEM learning, believing that these elements are essential for fostering lifelong curiosity, creativity and children's agency.

Areas of expertise

Dr. Yuwen Ma’s research focuses on play-based learning, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in early childhood and primary settings, and early childhood education policy. Her work also highlights the importance of professional development for early childhood educators, helping them build the knowledge and confidence needed to deliver meaningful play-based education. Her areas of expertise are divided into four main areas:

(1) Play-based Learning and Pedagogy

Yuwen’s research highlights the impact of play-based learning in promoting young children’s learning and development. She works closely with early childhood teachers to develop innovative pedagogical practices in intentional teaching and play-based learning, ensuring that learning is both engaging and meaningful for young children.

(2) STEM in Early Childhood and Primary Education

A key focus of Yuwen’s work is enhancing children's engagement and meaningful learning in STEM. She advocates for introducing STEM concepts through play, believing that early exposure is essential for fostering curiosity and interest in STEM. Yuwen has extensive knowledge in the Conceptual PlayWorld approach, which integrates imaginative play with STEM concepts to foster creativity and meaningful problem-solving in children. She is also highly experienced in using digital video observation and analysis to study children's STEM learning.

(3) Teacher Professional Development

Yuwen is committed to enhancing teachers' confidence and competence in delivering play-based approaches. She collaborates with international scholars and educators to design and implement professional development programmes that equip early childhood teachers with practical knowledge and skills. These programmes aim to foster innovative teaching practices and strengthen educators’ ability to create motivating learning environments that promote children's agency, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

(4) Early Childhood Policy

Yuwen’s expertise also extends to early childhood education policy, with a particular focus on the non-profit kindergarten system. She completed her master's degree in this topic, analysing the structure and operation of early childhood education systems, particularly in non-profit settings. Her policy work aims to identify and advocate for reforms that promote more equitable access to quality education for all young children.

Research interests

  • Play and Pedagogy
  • Child Development
  • STEM education in Early Childhood and Primary Education
  • Teacher Education in Early Childhood
  • Early Childhood Policy

Publications

Book chapters

Wang, Y., Ma, Y. (2024). Beyond physical space: Using digital technology to support a collaborative cultural-historical educational experiment. In M. Fleer, G. Fragkiadaki, E. Ødegaard, P. Rai, A. Sadownik (Eds.), Cultural-historical Digital Methodology: In Times of Change, Innovation and Resilience in the Early Years. Springer Nature.

Refereed journal articles

Yue, Y., Guo, J., Ma, Y., Yuan, H., & Li, M. (2024). The relationship of family support and peer acceptance in children aged 4–6: the mediating role of emotion regulation strategies. Early Child Development and Care, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2024.2371920

Wang, Y., Ma, Y., Li, L., & Fleer, M. (2023). Conceptual PlayWorld: creating motivating conditions for new kindergarten practices in China to support engineering education. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 32(3), 522–540. https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2023.2266784

Wang, Y., Li, L., Fleer, M., & Ma, Y. (2024). “What parts of the plants do we eat, is this STEM?” – A study of Chinese kindergarten teachers' STEM professional development. Learning, Culture and Social Interaction, 47, 100842. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lcsi.2024.100842

Ma, Y., Fleer, M., Li, L., & Wang, Y. (2023). A cultural-historical study of how a Conceptual PlayWorld creates conditions for personally meaningful mathematics in the Chinese kindergarten context. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2023.2200020

Wang, Y., Li, L., Fleer, M., & Ma, Y. (2023). Creating conditions for Chinese kindergarten Teacher’s professional development in play-based setting. Early Years, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/09575146.2023.2205055

Ma, Y., Wang, Y., Fleer, M., & Li, L. (2022). Promoting Chinese children's agency in science learning: Conceptual PlayWorld as a new play practice. Learning, Culture and Social Interaction, 33, 100614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lcsi.2022.100614

Ma, Y., & Wei, C. (2018).  The research of international education policy development in 21st century – knowledge mapping analysis on four kinds of SSCI journals in education policy, Journal of ShangHai Education Research (07), 21-25. https://doi.org/ 10.16194/j.cnki.31-1059/g4.2018.07.006.

Ma, Y., & Guo, L. (2018). Time clues and effective guidance of children’s sand play, Early Childhood Education (02), 07-09. https://doi.org/CNKI:SUN:XQYJ.0.2018-02-003.

Ma, Y., H. Wang., & Zhang, H (2018). Research on Preschool Education Demands of Children’s Parents in Z city, Early Childhood Education (07), 18-21. https://doi.org/CNKI:SUN:YEJY.0.2018-Z6-004.

Wang, L., Ma. Y., Wang, H. & Cai, H. (2018) Research on Development Goals and Promotion Strategies of International Preschool Education and Its Enlightenment, Early Childhood Education (10), 8-12. https://doi.org/CNKI:SUN:YEJY.0.2018-30-002.

Ma, Y., & Wang, H. (2017). “TeWhariki": A Review of New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum, Early Childhood Education (12), 43-45. https://doi.org/CNKI:SUN:YEJY.0.2017-27-009

Refereed conference proceedings

Ma, Y. (2024). Chinese children’s development of engineering thinking in an Engineering PlayWorld. Presented at 7th Congress of the International Society of Cultural-historical Activity Research. Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Ma, Y. (2023). Motivating Children's Theoretical Thinking in Engineering: Exploring the new play practice of Engineering PlayWorlds in the Chinese Kindergarten Context. Presented at Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) conference 2023. Melbourne, Australia.

Ma, Y. (2022). Promoting Chinese children’s meaningful mathematical learning: Motivating conditions created by the Conceptual PlayWorld model. Presented at Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) conference 2022. Adelaide, Australia.

Ma, Y., & Wang, Y. (2022). Beyond physical space: Using digital technology to support a collaborative cultural-historical educational experiment. Presented at International research conference on Early Childhood Education. Diversity in Early Childhood Education - Global and Local Perspectives. Tromsø, Norway/On line.

Ma, Y. (2022). Chinese children’s engineering thinking development: Theoretical thinking and productive imagination in a collective form. Presented at Monash Education Research Community Annual Conference, Melbourne, Australia.

Ma, Y. (2021). From responsive participants to active learners: How does Conceptual PlayWorld promote Chinese children’s agency in play-based science learning activity settings. Presented at The OMEP Asia Pacific Regional Conference 2021: “Strong Children Today, Better Asia-Pacific Tomorrow”. Online.

Ma, Y. (2021). A study of Chinese children’s play and concept learning in three parallel activities: implications for teachers’ pedagogies. Presented ta BNU-Durham-Monash Joint Conference. Online.

Ma, Y. (2021). Analysing children’s stem developmental trajectories in conceptual PlayWorlds — A cross-cultural study in Australia and China. Presented at 6th Congress of the International Society of Cultural-historical Activity Research. Online.

Ma, Y. (2021). Taking an adventure as snails: Chinese children’s meaningful mathematical exploration within the Conceptual PlayWorld. Presented at the Oxford Webinar-cultural historical research in crisis context: Challenges and perspectives. Online.

Ma, Y. (2020). Analysing children’s STEM developmental trajectories in Conceptual PlayWorlds: A cultural-historical study in Australia and China. Presented at Monash Education Research Community Annual Conference. Melbourne, Australia.

Ma, Y. (2018) Research on making friends of children in a Poland inclusive kindergarten. Presented at the 70th World Organization  For Early Childhood Education (OMEP) Conference. Prague, Czech Republic.

Associations

  • Conceptual PlayLab, Monash University
  • Australian Association for Research in Education
  • Early Childhood Australia