REDEFINING THE TEACHER'S ROLE IN CHILDREN'S PLAY

This paper not only advocates for play as the leading activity in the learning and development of young children, but it serves to generate a platform for a shared way of thinking and communicating about play where practitioners can inquire into the role of teachers in children's play. It presents the collaborative learning commitment of nine early childhood teachers in their yearlong inquiry into how the facilitative roles of adult involvement have enriched and extended play episodes to further the learning and development of young learners.