Changing Preschool Teachers' Ideas about Play

Play is a crucial activity for young children's development, fostering various skills and abilities.

The Play Workshop aimed to change preschool teachers' understanding of play's role in education by providing hands-on experiences.

The workshop, despite its short duration, effectively influenced teachers' opinions about the value of play in the preschool curriculum.

Play contributes to various developmental areas, including physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language skills.

Research highlights the significance of play in early childhood education, emphasizing its role in fostering essential skills.

High-quality early childhood programs are essential for children's future success, laying the groundwork for their continued achievements.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a leading organization promoting best practices in early childhood education, including the importance of play.

Play encourages development in physical, cognitive, social, emotional, language, and literacy areas.

The belief that play is a frivolous activity with no academic value, often leading to policies that prioritize standardized testing over play-based learning.

The theory that cognitive development happens through social interactions, particularly through play.

The idea that play is essential for a child's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.

The act of engaging in activities for enjoyment and exploration, without a predetermined goal or structured activity.

Play that is planned, guided, and often involves explicit learning goals.

The belief that teachers need to understand the benefits of play and incorporate it effectively into the curriculum for positive student outcomes.

A professional development workshop designed to educate educators on the value of play and how to implement it in early childhood settings.

The study's objective to encourage the use of play in preschool curriculum by educating preschool teachers on its benefits.

A type of research method used to measure changes in attitudes or beliefs over time.

A structured learning experience designed to enhance understanding and skills related to play.

A scale used to measure opinions or attitudes, typically with options ranging from 'strongly disagree' to 'strongly agree'.

A period of individual play where participants explore materials and engage in creative activities independently.

A period of collaborative play where participants work together to create something using shared materials.

The process of reflecting on one's experiences, learnings, and feelings during an activity.

The inclusion of play-based activities in educational settings.

The positive change in beliefs and attitudes towards incorporating play in educational settings.

Playing promotes inspiration and enhances individual strengths, benefiting both children and adults.

Hands-on play with unstructured materials connects individuals to their past experiences and promotes a sense of familiarity.

Hands-on play evokes feelings of relaxation, inner peace, and deep emotions in both children and adults.

The positive emotions experienced during play often carry over into daily life, influencing mood and outlook.

Playing allows individuals to gain self-understanding and explore their relationship with the world around them.

Play has a calming and focusing effect on the mind, benefiting children and adults alike.

Adults need to actively participate in play to understand its importance and role in learning.

Hands-on play allows adults to observe and understand how children learn, gaining insight into their cognitive development.

A state of being where individuals feel relaxed, allowing creativity to flourish.

Play enables both teachers and other adults to understand how children think, feel, and learn.

The feeling of being excited about creative activities and wanting to continue exploring them.

Play should be an integral part of early childhood classrooms and curriculum.

The ability to engage in open-ended play allows children to explore and learn together in a collaborative way.

Parents should be educated about the importance of play for their child's development.

The impact of high-stakes testing and accountability measures on the inclusion of play in early childhood classrooms.

Play is essential for mental and emotional well-being, and adults should model its importance for children.

Play allows children to explore and discover their world through imagination and interaction, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills.

Play helps children learn to understand and appreciate different perspectives, leading to greater empathy and social skills.

Play can help children cope with challenges and frustrations by providing a safe space to express themselves and try out different solutions.

Play encourages children to use their imaginations and think outside the box, leading to innovative solutions and problem-solving.

Play provides opportunities for children to interact with others, build relationships, and develop social skills like sharing and cooperation.

High-quality early childhood programs that emphasize play can significantly impact a child's overall development, setting them up for future success.

Play is a vital part of learning, offering a fun and engaging way for children to develop essential skills.

Play allows children to explore their own emotions and develop strategies for managing them.