We are very keen for our research to contribute to the children’s learning in terms of developing resources and linking with the SPHE and SESE curricula, if you feel that this would be appropriate.

SPHE Curriculum
The activities we would conduct with the children as part of our research would also contribute to the ‘Myself and Others’ part of the curriculum by allowing opportunities for children to work collaboratively with others and developing their ability to act in socially responsible ways. The activities could also contribute to the ‘Myself and the Wider World’ part of the curriculum by helping children to explore the changing community in which they live, develop a sense of social responsibility and an appreciation of the interdependent nature of the world in which they live.

The two aims of the curriculum to which our work with the children could contribute are:

• To develop in the child a sense of social responsibility, a commitment to active and participative citizenship and an appreciation of the democratic way of life.

• To enable the child to respect human and cultural diversity and to appreciate and understand the interdependent nature of the world.

SESE Curriculum
In line with an integrated curriculum approach, the above aspects of SPHE that our work with the children can be related also can be linked to two main aims of the SESE curriculum: 

1. To enable the child to play responsible roles as an individual, a family member and a member of local, regional, national, European and global communities
2. To cultivate humane and responsible attitudes and an appreciation of the world in accordance with beliefs and values.

In relation to the geographical aspects of the SESE curriculum, the participatory research methods that we would like to use with the children will encourage an appreciation of the interdependence of individuals, groups and communities and encourage an understanding of, and respect for, different cultures and how different people live their lives.

The research activities will support the aim of the SESE curriculum in that equality, tolerance, mutual understanding and cultural diversity will be promoted.

Researching and Learning Strategies
In line with the learning strategies outlined in the curricula, the tasks that we would use with the children would enable them to express their feelings and views, listen to each other’s opinions, participate in active discussion and develop their critical thinking skills.
Children will be encouraged to critically reflect on their work and explore possibilities for transferring what they have learned from others to situations in their own lives.

Follow-up
Once we have made copies of the research outputs, some of them could be made available to the school for further use such as classroom displays or future project work, perhaps linking in with the SPHE or SESE curricula.