Helen Little is a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood in the School of Education.  She has been at Macquarie University Since 2001. Prior to this she was an early childhood teacher with experience teaching in preschools and primary schools in Sydney. 

Research:

Helen’s primary area of research examines individual, social and environmental factors influencing children’s engagement in risk-taking behaviour in outdoor play. Her current focus relates to how the outdoor environment and teaching practices impact on children's experiences of risk-taking in play. 

Teaching:
Helen lectures and teaches outdoor learning, and child development at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She is interested in early childhood teacher education including outdoor pedagogy as part of the student experience in practicums. Helen is interested in all aspects of children's development however she has a particular focus on physical and motor development. She currently teaches on the following units:

• EDST2550 Engaging with the Outdoors as a Learning Environment (Academic Coordinator, lecturer and tutor)
• ECHE6020 Early Childhood Development (Academic Coordinator, lecturer & tutor) 
• ECHE1130 Play Based Approaches to Early Childhood Learning and Development (Lecturer)
• EDST1508 Understanding Child Development: Infants and Young Children (Lecturer)
• ECHE6010 Health and Wellbeing in Early Childhood (Lecturer)

Community:
Member of Early Childhood Australia, Play Australia and the International Play Association. Helen also holds qualifications in PARS Playwork Practice.