A preschool teacher's guide to sociodramatic play

Project (M.A., Child Development (Theory and Research))--California State University, Sacramento, 2014.The early childhood education coursework of pre-service teachers includes emphasis on the general concept that children learn through play, but other coursework demands may limit specific instruction about how children develop skills through play activities. As many preschool teachers are required to complete assessments of children???s development, it is important that teachers are able to identify play situations where children???s skills can be assessed and create a setting in which learning through play can be fostered. Thus, the purpose of this project was to create an evidence-based resource handbook to assist beginning teachers in fostering children???s sociodramatic play, and using that play for documenting children???s growth and development. \ud The content of the project handbook was based on research in learning through play in preschool-aged children. A needs assessment survey was distributed to pre-service teachers enrolled in practicum coursework at a community college in the Sacramento area. The needs assessment included a survey of pre-service teachers??? current knowledge of play and additional topics about play they would be interested in learning more about. Based upon the responses of the needs assessment survey and review of evidence-based scholarly literature, the project handbook was developed by the author and distributed to beginning and experienced teachers for review.\ud The handbook included definitions and examples of types of play. Evidence of how play fosters the development of social skills and academic achievement was explained. Evidence-based classroom practices that foster sociodramatic play and assessment through observing play were presented. Evaluations were included at the back of each handbook in order to assess the applicability and usefulness of the handbook. The results of the handbook evaluations were discussed and further methods of disseminating the information contained in the handbook were considered.Child Development (Applied Settings