Elementary Educator Beliefs on Developmentally Appropriate Practices: Supports and Barriers for Play

• In Event: 73.060 - Roundtable Session 31
  In Roundtable Session: 73.060-8 - The Role of Play in Early Childhood Education

Abstract

The purpose of California’s Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is to provide children with high quality early childhood education using developmentally appropriate practices (DAP) (California Department of Education, 2013). This ongoing mixed-methods study investigates educator beliefs on the use of DAP, particularly play, and the perceived contextual factors that facilitate the use of play in the classroom. TK educators completed surveys followed by targeted follow-up interviews. Preliminary survey results indicate that there is a perceived difference between administrators and teachers on support for play, as well as understanding of DAP. Qualitative data collection explores survey results and is ongoing. Full study findings will be presented at the conference with implications tied to the use of DAP strategies to promote children’s learning outcomes.

Authors

• Sarah Futrell Baron, Bakersfield College

• Jason C. Immekus, University of Louisville

• Cathy Yun, California State University - Fresno

• Juan Carlos Gonzalez, California State University - Fresno