@article{a266d752136441c38b5934d17b650609,
title = "Pop-up loose parts playgrounds: learning opportunities for early childhood preservice teachers",
abstract = "Play is a cornerstone of early childhood education. However, recent trends of schoolification and school readiness have meant that academic learning and adult-guided play are often privileged over free play. The aim of this study was to explore how a service-learning experience, in the form of organising and running a pop-up playground for young children and their families, would promote learning about and advocacy for play among early childhood preservice teachers (PSTs). Thirty-six PSTs enrolled in a second-year early childhood education unit in an Australian University were required to advertise, organise and facilitate a loose parts playground at a local park as part of their coursework. PSTs were asked to reflect on their learning from the event. Findings suggest that a service-learning pop-up playground was highly successful in promoting PST learning about children{\textquoteright}s play, loose parts and the adulteration of play. Learning about advocacy for play was less evident.",
keywords = "Pop-up playground;, loose parts, Preservice teachers, service learning",
author = "Kym Simoncini and Michelle Lasen",
note = "Funding Information: Kym Simoncini is an Associate Professor of Early Childhood and Primary Education. Prior to her academic career she was a primary school teacher in Australia and England. Her research interests are play, culturally relevant materials, teacher professional learning and early childhood STEM learning. She is currently involved in two large research projects: The Early Learning STEM Australia pilot funded by the Australian Department of Education and Together for Education consortium project led by World Vision in Papua New Guinea funded by the Australian Government. She has previously researched community designed and built playgrounds from local materials in Papua New Guinea. She is currently investigating middle school-aged children{\textquoteright}s perceptions and experiences of play in Canberra, the bush capital of Australia. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.",
year = "2021",
month = jan,
day = "16",
doi = "10.1080/21594937.2021.1878775",
language = "English",
volume = "10",
pages = "93--108",
journal = "International Journal of Play",
issn = "2159-4937",
number = "1",
}