A tale of the unexpected: practitioners' expectations and children's play

Abstract

This research is currently investigating the knowledge, understanding and values of nine early years practitioners regarding children's play and development, and its application in day-to-day practice. The group has been involved in the project for seven terms, meeting approximately once a month. Articulation of their beliefs and values are being analysed, and changes evaluated using the Concerns Based Adoption Model (Hord, 1987) and narrative analysis techniques. Initial rhetoric of the group suggested informed and reflective practitioners, open to innovation. Actual resistance to change has, however, been manifested, practice apparently rooted in affective and instinctual domains, rather than from a deeper conceptualisation of the issues. The evidence so far reveals that the process of deconstruction and reconstruction of pedagogical understanding is very complex and time-consuming. Changes to practice are likely to remain at the procedural level without significant time and effort spent on developing a secure philosophical and ideological basis for practitioners.