Dr. Connolly's Most Recent MIFC Findings

Dr. Connolly tested 1,000 of the 10,000 children who have gone through the program in Northern Ireland to measure changes in attitude and behavior. Results show that those children who complete the MIFC curriculum are:

Pii believes that the MIFC program helps shape values at a young age and, ultimately, perspectives and actions as adults.

Young Children

Dr. Paul Connolly, of Queen's University Belfast, has conducted groundbreaking research on the attitudes and prejudices of young children for many years. His focus is on diversity and inclusion in the early years and on young children in conflict affected societies. Implications of his research indicate numerous reasons why Pii and its local partners should direct their programs to preschool age children to further the mission of reducing strife and conflict in the world:

• Educating children reduces discrimination and violence in society over the long term.
• Evidence proves that children are affected by the attitudes and behaviors of adults around them.
• TV advertisements and interactive classroom curricula can shape children's values and their later perspectives and actions as adults.
• Children see similarities and differences in others and can learn to value both.
• Between the ages of three and five, children acquire core values that drive actions in later life.
• Children can influence parents to change their attitudes and behaviors.

Dr. Paul Connolly

Dr. Connolly has looked at the ways in which gender, social class, and race/ethnicity impact young children's experiences and perspectives and how they shape their attitudes towards education and learning. Most of his work in this area has been influenced by the theory and methods of Pierre Bourdieu. He is currently exploring how this research can be developed further with insights gained from the work of Lev Vygotsky, a Russian psychologist, and more recent socio-cultural theories inspired by him.

Paul Connolly's work on the experiences and perspectives of young children living in conflict-affected societies also includes research on the ways early years educators can best respond to the needs of these children.

Dr. Connolly has recently joined an international working team organized through the World Forum on Early Care and Education that is beginning to explore the experiences and needs of young children and early years educators working in societies characterized by deep divisions and conflict.

For more information on Dr. Connolly's research go to: www.paulconnolly.net.

Download his reports here:

Too Young to Notice? The Cultural and Political Awareness of 3-6 Year Olds in Northern Ireland - Dr. Paul Connolly, Professor Alan Smith and Berni Kelly

Addressing Diversity and Inclusion in the Early Years in Conflict-affected Societies: A Case Study of the Media Initiative for Children – Northern Ireland - Dr. Paul Connolly, Siobhan Fitzpatric, Tony Gallagher, and Paul Harris

Media Initiative For Children - Northern Ireland : Summary Findings of the Evaluation of the Pilot Programme