Projects per year
Abstract
Expectations for increased conceptual outcomes in the early childhood education sector have foregrounded a need for more evidenced-based practice in support of children’s play. One such avenue for researching models of play practices that support cognitive outcomes is to study the implementation of Playworlds. Grounded in cultural-historical theory, Playworlds is a model of play pedagogy where children and educators recreate a narrative through dramatization. However, this approach has not traditionally been linked with enhanced academic outcomes. In this study, the researchers used executive functions (EFs) as a pre and post measure for studying the potential development of the learner. As a potential evidenced-based model of practice, we examined the effect of incorporating EF tasks into early childhood programs through Playworlds. Specifically, EFs were incorporated into everyday practices within eight play-based preschool programs in Victoria, Australia, through Playworlds and associated activities. Ninety-one preschool aged children (50% male, M = 54.7 months, SD = 3.94) participated. Video observations and interviews documented teaching practices related to the incorporation of EFs into play-based programs. Findings document gains in EF skills in the context of the Playworld practices. Snapshots of teaching practices provide guidelines for incorporating EFs into early childhood play-based programs.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 572-586 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | Early Years |
Volume | 42 |
Issue number | 4-5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2022 |
Keywords
- early childhood
- executive functions
- intentional teaching
- play
- Playworlds
Projects
- 1 Finished
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Building executive function in imaginary play
Fleer, M. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Duhn, I. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Veresov, N. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Walker, S. P. (Chief Investigator (CI))
ARC - Australian Research Council
1/01/15 → 31/12/19
Project: Research