Emeritus Professor
ONZM BEdStud DipEdStud MA PhD(Well) DipTchg
Email helen.may@otago.ac.nz
Biography
Helen May trained as a primary school teacher in the mid-1960s and in her early career taught 5-6 year olds. Later, when Helen had her own children she worked in childcare and for five years was the Coordinator of the Victoria University crèche. In 1987 Helen began work in teacher education at Hamilton Teachers' College and later the University of Waikato. During the early 1990s she worked with Margaret Carr on the development of Te Whaariki, the first national curriculum guidelines for New Zealand. In 1995 Helen was appointed to the first New Zealand professorial Chair in Early Childhood Education at Victoria University Wellington. In 2005, she was appointed as Professor of Education and Head of Faculty of Education at the University of Otago, and from 2007-2011 was the Dean of the University of Otago College of Education. During 2015-19 Helen was a Deputy Moderator for the PBRF evaluation process. She retired in 2016 and was appointed an Emeritus Professor and is currently based in Wellington. In 2018 and 2019 Helen was on the judging panel for the Prime Minister’s Teaching Excellence awards.
Helen May has spoken and published widely in the field of early childhood curriculum and the history and policy of early years education.
- 1990: NZ Medal for Services to Education
- 1990: Life Member NZ Childcare Association (Te Rito Maioha - Early Childhood Education https://ecnz.ac.nz/)
- 2010: NZEI- Te Rui Roa Honorary Fellow Award
- 2014–2016: President of the International Froebel Society
- 2016: New Year Honours: OMNZ for services to Education
Research Interests
Early childhood issues – policy, history, curriculum
Current research projects:
- Froebelian Endeavours, New Education and the ‘Researched’ Child from the 1920s to the 1960s (with Larry Prochner, Kristen Nawrotski, Alessandra Arce Hal, Yordanka Volkanova). Funded by the Froebel Trust, (UK) 2020-2023. My case study is titled ‘Let’s find out” Reimagining the young child as a research worker 1920-1960s.’ This project follows on from a previous project (2017-2020) and published in the book, Reimagining Teaching: Progressive Pedagogies in Experimental Schools in the early 20th century (2020) Palgrave Press
- 60th Jubilee Book to be published in 2023 for Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood NZ – previously the NZ Childcare Association founded by Sonja Davies
- Chapter for the International Handbook of Froebelian Educational approach, scholarship and research. Editors: Tina Bruce, Yukiyo Nishido, Sacha Powell, Helge Wasmuth, Jane Whinnett. Publisher: Bloomsbury, London. ‘Discoveries at the back of the kindergarten cupboard’ is based on my work as Kaitiaki of Te Whānau Manaaki o Tararua Archive History Project
Memoir
- Secrets Searches and Surprises: Catherine Jubilee Robertson 1890-1979, Cyril Robertson Bradwell 1916-2008, Wellington, 2018
- Recollections of a Childhood in Kenya, The Red House, Wellington, 2021
In progress
- The crafts of cloth needle and thread: Nola’s story’
Occasional Paper
- Working for Children and Social Change: Tracing the endeavours of three Scottish lady teachers who immigrated to New Zealand in the early 20th century (with K Bethell), The Red House, Wellington, 2021
Presentations
Recent Conference Presentations, Keynote Presentations and Invited Seminars
Selected publications
Books published not listed below:
Mind That Child: Childcare as a Social and Political Issue in New Zealand, Blackberry Press, Wellington 1985, pp.95.
Minding Children: Managing Men: Conflict and Compromise in the Lives of Postwar Pakeha Women, Bridget Williams, Wellington, 1992, pp.371.
(With Sue Middleton). Teachers Talk Teaching 1915-1995, early childhood, school teachers college, Dunmore Press, Palmerston North, 1997, pp.380.
Publications
May, H., Card, A., & Carroll-Lind, J. (Eds.). (2021). Ngā kohinga kōrero a te aumangea: Kia mana te ara kōhungahunga ki Aotearoa: Life stories on the frontline: Growing a childcare movement in Aotearoa. Wellington, New Zealand: Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand.
Arce Hai, A., May, H., Nawrotzki, K., Prochner, L., & Valkanova, Y. (2020). Reimagining teaching in early 20th century experimental schools. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan, 256p. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-50964-4
Middleton, S., & May, H. (Eds.). (2019). For women and children: A tribute to Geraldine McDonald. Wellington, New Zealand: NZCER Press, 193p.
May, H. (2019). Politics in the playground: The world of early childhood education in Aotearoa New Zealand (3rd ed.). Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press, 414p.
May, H., & Bethell, K. (2017). Growing a kindergarten movement in Aotearoa New Zealand: Its people, purposes and politics. Wellington, New Zealand: NZCER, 323p.
May, H., Card, A., & Carroll-Lind, J. (Eds.). (2021). Ngā kohinga kōrero a te aumangea: Kia mana te ara kōhungahunga ki Aotearoa: Life stories on the frontline: Growing a childcare movement in Aotearoa. Wellington, New Zealand: Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand.
Edited Book - Research
Arce Hai, A., May, H., Nawrotzki, K., Prochner, L., & Valkanova, Y. (2020). Reimagining teaching in early 20th century experimental schools. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan, 256p. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-50964-4
Authored Book - Research
Middleton, S., & May, H. (Eds.). (2019). For women and children: A tribute to Geraldine McDonald. Wellington, New Zealand: NZCER Press, 193p.
Edited Book - Research
May, H. (2019). Politics in the playground: The world of early childhood education in Aotearoa New Zealand (3rd ed.). Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press, 414p.
Authored Book - Research
May, H., & Bethell, K. (2017). Growing a kindergarten movement in Aotearoa New Zealand: Its people, purposes and politics. Wellington, New Zealand: NZCER, 323p.
Authored Book - Research
May, H., Nawrotzki, K., & Prochner, L. (Eds.). (2016). Kindergarten narratives on Froebelian education: Transnational investigations. London, UK: Bloomsbury Academic, 224p.
Edited Book - Research
May, H., Kaur, B., & Prochner, L. (2014). Empire, education, and indigenous childhoods: Nineteenth-century missionary infant schools in three British colonies. Farnham, UK: Ashgate, 300p.
Authored Book - Research
May, H. (2014). People, places and play in the 'child gardens' of Dunedin: Dunedin Kindergartens: Mana Manaaki Puawai O Otepoti 125 years old. Dunedin, New Zealand: Dunedin Kindergartens, 198p.
Authored Book - Research
May, H. (2013). The discovery of early childhood (2nd ed.). Wellington, New Zealand: NZCER Press.
Authored Book - Research
May, H. (2013). Ngā Āhuatanga Hurihuri o te Tiaki Tamariki: The changing fortunes of childcare: 2003-2013. Wellington, New Zealand: Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa: NZ Childcare Association, 119p. Retrieved from www.mebooks.co.nz
Authored Book - Research
May, H. (2013). Concerning women considering children: The changing fortunes of childcare (Revised ed.). Wellington, New Zealand: Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa: NZ Childcare Association, 388p. Retrieved from www.mebooks.co.nz
Authored Book - Research
May, H. (2011). I am five and I go to school: Early years schooling in New Zealand, 1900-2010. Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press, 320p.
Authored Book - Research
May, H. (2006). School beginnings: A 19th century colonial story. Wellington, New Zealand: NZCER Press, 252p.
Authored Book - Research
May, H. (2019). Networking at the Wellington preschool “Sunday club”. In S. Middleton & H. May (Eds.), For women and children: A tribute to Geraldine McDonald. (pp. 101-110). Wellington, New Zealand: NZCER Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Smith, A., & May, H. (2018). Connections between early childhood policy and research in Aotearoa New Zealand: 1970s-2010s. In M. Fleer & B. van Oers (Eds.), International handbook of early childhood education. (pp. 531-549). Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-94-024-0927-7
Chapter in Book - Research
Wells, C., & May, H. (2019). Advocacy and collaboration in the kindergarten movement of Aotearoa New Zealand: Some Froebelian legacies. In T. Bruce, P. Elfer, S. Powell & L. Werth (Eds.), The Routledge international handbook of Froebel and early childhood practice: Re-articulating research and policy. (pp. 79-82). London, UK: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781315562421
Chapter in Book - Research
May, H. (2017). Documenting early childhood policy in Aotearoa New Zealand: Political and personal stories. In L. Miller, C. Cameron, C. Dalli & N. Barbour (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of early childhood policy. (pp. 151-164). London, UK: SAGE.
Chapter in Book - Research
May, H. (2016). Relocating, continuity and change: Dunedin kindergartens, Aotearoa New Zealand, 1890s-2010s. In H. May, K. Nawrotzki & L. Prochner (Eds.), Kindergarten narratives on Froebelian education: Transnational investigations. (pp. 166-180). London, UK: Bloomsbury Academic.
Chapter in Book - Research
May, H. (2016). A historical overview of early education policy and pedagogy: Global perspectives and particular examples. In T. Meaney, O. Helenius, M. L. Johansson, T. Lange & A. Wernberg (Eds.), Mathematics education in the early years: Results from the POEM2 Conference. Springer.
Chapter in Book - Research
May, H., & Carr, M. (2016). Te Whāriki: A uniquely woven curriculum shaping policy, pedagogy and practice in Aotearoa New Zealand. In T. David, K. Goouch & S. Powell (Eds.), Routledge international handbook of philosophies and theories of eary childhood education and care. (pp. 316-326). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
Chapter in Book - Research
May, H. (2016). The early adventures of Anne and the politics of childcare. In C. Dalli & A. Meade (Eds.), Research, policy and advocacy in the early years: Writing inspired by the achievements of professor Anne Smith. (pp. 13-24). Wellington, New Zealand: NZCER Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
May, H. (2014). New Zealand: A narrative of shifting policy directions for early childhood education and care. In L. Gambaro, K. Stewart & J. Waldfogel (Eds.), An equal start? Providing quality early education and care for disadvantaged children. (pp. 147-170). Bristol, UK: Policy Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
May, H. (2013). Recollecting childhood at school in early twentieth century. In N. Higgins & C. Freeman (Eds.), Childhoods: Growing up in Aotearoa New Zealand. (pp. 95-109). Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
May, H. (2010). Refashioning the colonial kindergarten: A political story from Aotearoa New Zealand. In K. Neumann, U. Sauerbrey & M. Winkler (Eds.), Fröbelpädagogik im Kontext der Moderne: Bildung, Erziehung und soziales Handeln. (pp. 95-111). Jena, Germany: Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena.
Chapter in Book - Research
May, H. (2010). Reframing some windows on early childhood education: An unlikely career. In J. Kidman & K. Stevens (Eds.), Looking back from the centre: A snapshot of contemporary New Zealand education. (pp. 139-157). Wellington, New Zealand: Victoria University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Carr, M., May, H., & Podmore, V. (2010). ″Te Whäriki″: Neuseelands frühpädagogisches Curriculum 1991-2001. In W. E. Fthenakis & P. Oberhuemer (Eds.), Frühpädagogik international: Bildungsqualität im Blickpunkt. (2nd ed.) (pp. 175-190). Wiesbaden, Germany: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften.
Chapter in Book - Research
Smith, A. B., & May, H. (2006). Early childhood care and education in Aotearoa-New Zealand. In E. Melhuish & K. Petrogiannis (Eds.), Early childhood care and education: International perspectives. (pp. 95-114). Oxon, UK: Routledge.
Chapter in Book - Research
Prochner, L., & May, H. (2018). Lessons and legacies of early childhood history. Early Years, 38(2), 122-124. doi: 10.1080/09575146.2018.1452765
Journal - Research Other
May, H. (2022). Enduring lessons for current times from a forgotten Froebelian foot soldier in Aotearoa-New Zealand: Miss Isabel Little (1876-1937). Global Education Review, 9(1), 69-84. Retrieved from https://ger.mercy.edu/index.php/ger/article/view/576
Journal - Research Article
May, H., & Coulston, A. (2021). He Whānau Manaaki kindergartens, Aotearoa New Zealand: A pandemic outreach in new political times. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 29(1), 96-108. doi: 10.1080/1350293X.2021.1872675
Journal - Research Article
May, H. (2018). [Review of the book Between the profession and the state: A history of the New Zealand teachers council]. New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies, 53(1), 147-149. doi: 10.1007/s40841-017-0098-8
Journal - Research Other
Moss, P., Dahlberg, G., Grieshaber, S., Mantovani, S., May, H., Pence, A., … Vandenbroeck, M. (2016). The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s International Early Learning Study: Opening for debate and contestation. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 17(3), 343-351. doi: 10.1177/1463949116661126
Journal - Research Article
May, H. (2015). Nineteenth century early childhood institutions in Aotearoa New Zealand: Legacies of enlightenment and colonisation. Journal of Pedagogy, 6(2), 21-39. doi: 10.1515/jped-2015-0011
Journal - Research Article
May, H. (2014). A flurry of advocacy: The incomplete story of a proposal for an exemplary PG ITE for ECE. Early Education, 55, 21-26.
Journal - Research Article
Prochner, L., May, H., & Kaur, B. (2009). ″The blessings of civilisation″: Nineteenth-century missionary infant schools for young native children in three colonial settings: India, Canada and New Zealand 1820s-1840s. Paedagogica Historica, 45(1-2), 83-102. doi: 10.1080/00309230902746495
Journal - Research Article
May, H. (2006). 'Being Froebelian': An Antipodean analysis of the history of advocacy and early childhood. History of Education, 35(2), 245-262.
Journal - Research Article
May, H. (2006). Election year politics, 2005, and the ″Nanny State″. New Zealand Annual Review of Education, 15, 133-151.
Journal - Research Article
May, H., & Mitchell, L. (2009). Strengthening community-based early childhood education in Aotearoa New Zealand: Report of the Quality Public Early Childhood Education Project. Wellington, New Zealand: NZEI Te Riu Roa. 22p.
Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report
May, H. (2008). Towards the right of New Zealand children for free early childhood education. International Journal of Child Care & Education Policy, 2(1), 77-91.
Journal - Research Article
May, H. (2007). 'Minding', 'working', 'teaching': Childcare in Aotearoa/New Zealand, 1940s-2000s. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 8(2), 133-143.
Journal - Research Other
