An Exploration of New Choices of Play and its’ Relationship with the School Liking at Preschool Level

Abstract

Play activities have a key role in the early development of a child. Planning of play activities demands consideration of the interest, choice, and needs of the child. This consideration stimulates the self-regulation and intentional participation of a child. The present study was an exploratory study to find the novel and innovative choices of play that can extend and promote school liking in children. The current study was qualitative and data was collected through semi-structured interviews and discussions with preschool teachers and management in Pakistan.The sample of the study was consist of 27 preschool specialists from public and private sector institutions of Bahawalpur. The tool for data collection was developed to cover three aspects of the study; the current state of ECE in Bahawalpur, new choices of play, and determinants of conducive environment for play. The purpose of the study was to explore the most effective and useful play activities for preschool classes which could enhance school liking in children. It was concluded in the study that both materials and effective use of available resources are important for all-round development of a child.The results of the study indicated that social and dramatic play are low cast and feasible in both public and private schools. International developments in ECE may be adapted keeping the national structures and traditions into consideration.