Affect of Play on Critical Thinking: What are the Perceptions of Preservice Teachers

Abstract

—A lot of research suggested that children learn through play and their ability to think increases while playing. However it is not clear whether or not preservice teachers are aware of the influence of play on thinking. The purpose of the study is to explore the perceptions of preservice teachers on the affect of play on critical thinking, and how they perceive the current curriculum in terms of helping children to be critical thinkers. Interviews were conducted to two informants who are still studying in the Early Childhood Studies program in a private university in Klang Valley. The data was transcribed and coded and a few themes emerged from the transcriptions and coding processes. Findings suggested that those preservice teachers are sentient of the importance of play in cultivating critical thinking skills in children. They agreed that children learn through play and they construct knowledge while playing.