Dr Sandra Hesterman

School of Education
Murdoch University
90 South Street
Murdoch 6150
Western Australia

1 February 2018

Dear Parent/Caregiver

This letter is to introduce , a student who is presently

undertaking Early Childhood Education studies at Murdoch University.

As part of the student’s study of Language and Literacies in the Early Years, the student is required to
undertake a child study focusing on a young child’s language development and emerging literacies. The
purpose of this study is to facilitate the student’s understanding of the nature and complexity of early
childhood education and to determine how best they can support and enrich a child’s individual
learning.

The student bearing this letter is seeking your consent to allow them to undertake observations and
conversations with your child for the purpose of learning about their interests and then to select and
read a picture storybook related to your child’s interests. These tasks will provide opportunities for the
student to practise their conversational skills, storytelling and questioning strategies with young
children.

So that the student can study their interactions with your child, it is proposed that they take twelve
digital photographs (the child’s face will not be visible) and provide four learning experiences to support
and enrich your child’s language development and emerging literacies.

Please note that:

 You may withdraw your consent at any time.

 The student has a current Working with Children Check.
 The data that the student records about your child will be used only for an assignment
assessment and your child’s name will not appear in any of their assignment work. A
pseudonym will be used to ensure your child’s confidentiality.

The student has been asked to provide you with details of their assignment requirements, as per their
Unit Information Guide. I would welcome any questions you have regarding this assignment if you wish
to call me on 9360 6305 or email me at the address below.

Thank you in anticipation of your support.

Sandra Hesterman

Dr. Sandra Hesterman

Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education
Academic Chair of Early Childhood Education
s.hesterman@murdoch.edu.au
Students, please copy the consent and information letter for parents/legal guardians before
submitting the original form which must be stapled to your first assignment.

Parent/Legal Guardian Consent Form

I …………………………………………..………………………………………………………. the parent/legal guardian of the child

……………………………………………………..…, aged three years, give my consent for the Murdoch University
student…………………………………………………………………………………………………….… (name and student number)
to conduct a study on my child’s language development and emerging literacies.

I understand that the student will observe my child playing, will talk to my child about their play
interests, and will participate in four learning activities aimed at supporting and enriching my child’s
language development and emerging literacies.

I understand that the observations, conversations and photographs of the four activities will be
presented in a written assignment for university assessment. My child’s face will not be shown.

I understand that the information collected, and all other aspects of this assignment, will not be used for
any purpose apart from the student’s private study in this study unit; nor will the information be used in
any other context. Any questions about this research have been answered to my satisfaction. A copy of
this signed consent form has been provided to me.

I understand that my child and his/her family will not be identified by their real names in this written
work.

I understand that the student conducting this study has a current Working with Children Check.

I have read the information provided and any questions I have asked in relation to this assignment
assessment have been answered to my satisfaction. I reserve the right to withdraw this consent (by
contacting the unit coordinator).

Parent or legal guardian’s name (please print)

________________________________________________

Parent or legal guardian’s signature _______________________________________________________

Date: ___________________________________________

Please supply me with a copy of my child’s learning stories  (please tick the box if you would like a
copy forwarded to you)