More Than Just a Drawing: Preservice Teachers' Perspectives on Their Future Integration of the Arts (Visual Arts, Music, and Drama) in the Early Childhood Classroom

• In Event: Roundtable Session 4
  In Roundtable Session: Arts in Early Childhood Classrooms and Teacher Education

Abstract

The study explored, describes and examines pre-service early childhood teachers’ intent to integrate the arts in their k-3 classroom. Participants were enrolled in a field experience or in student teaching at two ECE teacher preparation programs. A conceptual model was developed; the proportion of courses taken was used as a mediator between the pre-college variables and the future teaching variables . It was clear that the responsibility of integrating the arts falls under the responsibilities of the teacher. Their own experience in the arts is what is the guiding force behind their use of the arts in their future. We need to examine the faculty’s perception concerning art integration and we need to develop professional development opportunities for future teachers.

Author

• Mayra Almodovar, Oklahoma State University