Early Childhood Teacher's Role in Play-Based Science Activities

Play is considered a central concept in early childhood education and the relationship between play and learning has been highlighted in the literature. Teachers should support children’s play creating inviting play spaces... [ view full abstract ]

Play is considered a central concept in early childhood education and the relationship between play and learning has been highlighted in the literature. Teachers should support children’s play creating inviting play spaces as well as authentic and engaging contexts that promote children’s learning through play. The main objective of this small scale research was the study of the teacher’s role in children’s play with everyday objects and materials which are related to magnetic phenomena. The study was carried out in a kindergarten classroom with three small groups of children. Each group was provided with a box containing various materials such as different forms and sizes of magnets, games with magnets and objects attracted or not attracted to magnets. The teacher encouraged children to play with the materials and posed questions and comments in order to enable them to narrate their own experience and express their ideas about magnets and magnetic phenomena. By subtly intervening in their play she tried to help them associate their prior experience with particular content knowledge which is related to magnetic phenomena. Data were collected through participant observation and the documentation process included sound recording and keeping field notes. Data were analyzed by the research team in order to identify critical incidents which highlighted the features of the teacher’s involvement in children’s play. The research findings draw attention to the prominent role of the teacher in children’s learning, when they are engaged in play-based Science activities. By using children’s prior experience and posing appropriate questions, teacher can engage young children in Science learning and promote their conceptual knowledge. More importantly however, by prioritizing children’s initiative and autonomy that are expressed through play, teacher can help young learners acknowledge associations, express judgments and draw inferences.

Keywords: Children’s play, magnetic phenomena, early childhood Science education, teacher’s role