Reshaping how educators think about play’: A Journey of Discovery in Initial Teacher Education through an international Study Tour on play and playwork

Play, often hailed as the cornerstone of children’s learning and development, has a pivotal role in shaping educational practices. This presentation explores the transformative potential of play and playwork influencing pre-service teachers' (PSTs) perspectives and practices. Playwork, as a unique lens, offers invaluable insights for pre-service teachers, fostering a profound understanding of children's play and behaviours.

This presentation amalgamates findings from research that investigated the impact of a ‘play’ focused international study tour for PSTs studying early childhood and primary education. This study intertwines research findings with personal reflections from one of the attending PSTs. Thirty PSTs and three faculty of education staff members from an Australian university participated in a study tour to the United Kingdom, to attend the International Play Association (IPA) conference, engage in Playwork training, and visit adventure playgrounds. Data collected through pre and post-trip surveys and reflective writings illuminate the transformative impact of the study tour on participants' perceptions of play and its potential in education.

Key findings reveal a paradigm shift in participants' views, deeming the trip transformative. Immersed in play and playwork concepts, participants envision innovative possibilities for future educational practices. The presentation provides a platform for both researcher and student to share highlights and learnings, offering recommendations for future practice that emphasize the need for explicitly teaching PSTs about play and playwork in initial teacher education.