A Systematic Review of Early Childhood Education and Primary School Readiness for Transition Through Play-Based Pedagogies
Keywords:
Early Childhood Education, Learner Assessment, Play-based pedagogies, School Readiness, School Transition
Abstract
This systematic review is based on studies that explored school readiness and transition through play-based pedagogies in Early Childhood and Primary Education. Relevant literature involved global literature whose search was conducted by independent researchers following the keyword string, which included among others, stakeholders’ roles in school readiness, transition, and play-based pedagogies. The literature search was done from May to August 2022 following the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA). Twenty peer-reviewed studies were identified, appraised, and included in the review. Findings from international literature showed that teachers’ implementation of play-based pedagogy revealed a significant and positive relationship to all domains of children’s holistic development. Learner assessment for school readiness and transitioning from pre-primary to primary through play-based pedagogies included academic, social, and personal learning during periods of play. The types of play-based assessments for school readiness identified included: (1) withdrawal assessment, (2) observational assessment, (3) embedded assessment, (4) teacher questioning/interview, (5) Photographs/videos and (6) documentation walls. While literature showed a positive connection between parental involvement and a child’s readiness for school including successful transition from preprimary to primary school, there was limited evidence pointing specifically to the influence of parental involvement in play-based pedagogies for school transitioning.References
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3. Baker, C. E. 2014. Mexican mothers’ English proficiency and children’s school readiness: Mediation through home literacy involvement. Early Education and Development, 25(3), 338-355. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2013.807721
4. Becker, D. R., Grist, C. L., Caudle, L. A., and Watson, M. K. 2018. Complex physical activity, outdoor play, and school readiness among preschoolers. Global Education Review, 5(2), 110-122.
5. Bubikova-Moan, J., Næss Hjetland, H., and Wollscheid, S. 2019. ECE Teachers’ views on play-based learning: a systematic review. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 27(6), 776-800.
6. Burger, K. 2010. How does early childhood care and education affect cognitive development? An international review of the effects of early interventions for children from different social backgrounds. Early childhood research quarterly, 25(2), 140-165.
7. Burgess, E., and Ernst, J. 2020. Beyond Traditional School Readiness: How Nature Preschools Help Prepare Children for Academic Success. International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 7(2), 17-33.
8. Chairilsyah, D., and Kurnia, R. 2018. Teacher Assessment to School Readiness on the 5-6 Year-Old Children in State Kindergarten in Pekanbaru (Motoric Physical, Social Emotional, Moral, Language, and Cognitive Aspect). Journal of Educational Sciences, 2(2), 74-82.
9. Charara, J., Miller, E. A., and Krajcik, J. 2021. Knowledge in Use: Designing for Play in Kindergarten Science Contexts. Journal of Leadership, Equity, and Research, 7(1), n1.
10. Ellenbogen, S., Klein, B., and Wekerle, C. 2014. Early childhood education as a resilience intervention for maltreated children. Early child development and care, 184(9-10), 1364-1377.
11. DeLuca, C., Pyle, A., Valiquette, A., and LaPointe-McEwan, D. 2020. New directions for kindergarten education: Embedding assessment in play-based learning. The elementary school journal, 120(3), 455-479.
12. Danniels, E., and Pyle, A. 2018. Defining play-based learning. Encyclopedia on early childhood development, 1-5.
13. Dennis, L. R., Rueter, J. A., and Simpson, C. G. 2013, August 25. Authentic Assessment: Establishing a Clear Foundation for Instructional Practices. Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth, 57(4), 189-195. doi:10.1080/1045988X.2012.681715
14. Dykeman, B. F. 2008. Play-based neuropsychological assessment of toddlers. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 25, 405–408.
15. Elango, S., García, J. L., Heckman, J. J., and Hojman, A. 2015. Early childhood education. In Economics of Means-Tested Transfer Programs in the United States, Volume 2 (pp. 235-297). University of Chicago Press.
16. Finnish National Agency for Education. 2016. National core curriculum for early childhood education and care. Regulations and guidelines 2017. Helsinki: Finnish National Agency for Education.
17. Garfinkle, A. N. 2004. In M. McLean, M. Wolery, and D. B. Bailey, Assessing infants and preschoolers with special needs (pp. 451-486). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
18. Hatcher, B., Nuner, J., and Paulsel, J. 2012. Kindergarten Readiness and Preschools: Teachers’ and Parents’ Beliefs Within and Across Programs.
19. Henderson, A. T., and Berla, N. 1994. A new generation of evidence: The family is critical to student achievement. National Committee for Citizens in Education, Washington, DC.
20. Joanna Briggs Institute. (2018). The JBI Approach. Retrieved from http://joannabriggs.org/jbi-approach.html
21. Kangas, J., Harju-Luukkainen, H., Brotherus, A., Gearon, L. F., and Kuusisto, A. 2020. Outlining play and playful learning in Finland and Brazil: A content analysis of early childhood education policy documents. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood. doi:10.1177/1463949120966104
22. Keung, C. P., and Cheung, A. C. 2019. Towards Holistic Supporting of Play-Based Learning Implementation in Kindergartens: A Mixed Method Study. Early Childhood Education Journal, 47(5), 627–640. doi:10.1007/s10643-019-00956-2
23. Kjær, B., Bach, D., and Dannesboe, K. I. 2020. Academics as play and the social as discipline: school readiness in Denmark. International Journal of Early Years Education, 28(3), 246–261. doi:10.1080/09669760.2020.1806044
24. Kokkalia, G., Drigas, A. S., Economou, A., and Roussos, P. 2019. School readiness from kindergarten to primary school. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (Online), 14(11), 4.
25. Lillard, A. S., Lerner, M. D., Hopkins, E. J., Dore, R. A., Smith, E. D., and Palmquist, C. M. 2013. The impact of pretend play on children’s development: a review of the evidence. Psychological bulletin, 139(1), 1.
26. Lungu, S., and Matafwali, B. 2020. Play based learning in early childhood education (ECE) centres in Zambia: A teacher perspective. European Journal of Education Studies, 7(12).
27. Lumaurridlo, R., and Kistoro. 2021. School readiness assessment: Study of early childhood educator experience. Ilkogretim Online, Elementary Education Online.
28. Lyncha, and Anita, S. 2021. Widening the focus of school readiness for children with disabilities in Malawi: a critical review of the literature. International Journal of Inclusive Education.
29. Mak, T. C., Chan, D. K., and Capio, C. M. 2021. Strategies for teachers to promote physical activity in early childhood education settings—A scoping review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(3), 867.
30. Magdalena, S. M. 2014. The effects of parental influences and school readiness of the child. Procedia-Social and Behavioural Sciences, 127, 733-737.
31. Mindes, G. 2011. Assessing young children. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
32. Mungai, D. N. 2015. Relative Contribution of Different Levels of Parental Involvement to Primary School Readiness in Preschool Pupils in Nairobi County. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(29).
33. Munnik, E., and Smith, M. 2019. Contextualising school readiness in South Africa: Stakeholders’ perspectives. South African Journal of Childhood Education, 9(1). Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.4102/sajce.v9i1.680
34. Nakajima, N., Hasan, A., Jung, H., Brinkman, S., Pradhan, M., and Kinnell, A. 2019. Investing in school readiness: A comparison of different early childhood education pathways in rural Indonesia. International Journal of Educational Development, 69, 22-38.
35. O’Sullivan, L., and Ring, E. 2018. Play as learning: implications for educators and parents from findings of a national evaluation of school readiness in Ireland. International Journal of Play, 7(3), 266-289.
36. Parker, F. L., Boak, A. Y., Griffin, K. W., Ripple, C., and Peay, L. 1999. Parent-child relationship, home learning environment, and school readiness. School Psychology Review, 28(3), 413-425.
37. Perlman, M., Fletcher, B., Falenchuk, O., Brunsek, A., McMullen, E., and Shah, P. S. 2017. Child-staff ratios in early childhood education and care settings and child outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS one, 12(1), e0170256.
38. Pertriwsyj, A. 2013. Pedagogies on Inclusive transition to school. Retrieved at https://journal.sagepub.com.
39. Pyle, A., and DeLuca, C. 2017. Assessment in Play-Based Kindergarten Classrooms: An Empirical Study of Teacher Practice. The Journal of Educational Research.
40. Pyle, A., DeLuca, C., and Danniels, E. 2017. A scoping review of research on play‐based pedagogies in kindergarten education. Review of Education, 5(3), 311-351.
41. Pyle, A., DeLuca, C., Danniels, E., and Wickstrom, H. 2020. A Model for Assessment in Play-Based Kindergarten Education. American Educational Research Journal, 10.3102/0002831220908800.
42. Ramsdal, G., Bergvik, S., and Wynn, R. 2015. Parent–child attachment, academic performance and the process of high-school dropout: A narrative review. Attachment and Human Development, 17(5), 522-545.
43. Schachter, R. E. 2015. An analytic study of the professional development research in early childhood education. Early Education and Development, 26(8), 1057-1085.
44. Sema, Ö. 2021. The Role of Parents in Children’s School Readiness. Educational Policy Analysis and Strategic Research, 16(3).
45. Somolanji, T. I., and Borovac, T. 2020. Children’s symbolic play during the transition to school. International Journal of Early Years Education, 232-245. doi:10.1080/09669760.2020.1814210
46. Suleiman, I., Arslan, M., Alhajj, R., and Ridley, M. 2016. The power of online genetic algorithm in stealth assessment for school readiness. Journal of Computers In Education, 3(2), 209–246. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/s40692-016-0054-5
47. Tatalović Vorkapić, S., and Katić, V. 2020. Literacy-related school readiness through play in Croatia. International Journal of Early Years Education, 28(3), 277-294.
48. Taylor, M. E., and Boyer, W. 2020. Play-based learning: Evidence-based research to improve children’s learning experiences in the kindergarten classroom. Early Childhood Education Journal, 48(2), 127-133.
49. Ursache, A., Blair, C., and Raver, C. C. 2012. The promotion of self‐regulation as a means of enhancing school readiness and early achievement in children at risk for school failure. Child development perspectives, 6(2), 122-128.
50. Williams, P. G., Lerner, M. A., Sells, J., Alderman, S. L., Hashikawa, A., Mendelsohn, A., ... and Weiss-Harrison, A. 2019. School readiness. Pediatrics, 144(2).
51. Willis, E., and Dinehart, L. H. 2014. Contemplative practices in early childhood: implications for self-regulation skills and school readiness. Early child development and care, 184(4), 487-499.
52. Yalçın, B., and Dondu, N. B. 2020. Determining Children’s Primary School Readiness Level. European Journal of Educational Sciences, 7(4).
53. Youmans, A. S., Kirby, J. R., and Freeman, J. G. 2017. How effectively does the full-day, play-based kindergarten programme in Ontario promote self-regulation, literacy, and numeracy? Early Child Development and Care, 1-13. doi:10.1080/03004430.2017.1287177
54. Zamzow, J., and Ernst, J. 2020. Supporting School Readiness Naturally: Exploring Executive Function Growth in Nature Preschools. International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 7(2), 6-16.
2. Arksey, H., and Malley, L. 2005. Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8(1), 19–32. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616
3. Baker, C. E. 2014. Mexican mothers’ English proficiency and children’s school readiness: Mediation through home literacy involvement. Early Education and Development, 25(3), 338-355. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2013.807721
4. Becker, D. R., Grist, C. L., Caudle, L. A., and Watson, M. K. 2018. Complex physical activity, outdoor play, and school readiness among preschoolers. Global Education Review, 5(2), 110-122.
5. Bubikova-Moan, J., Næss Hjetland, H., and Wollscheid, S. 2019. ECE Teachers’ views on play-based learning: a systematic review. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 27(6), 776-800.
6. Burger, K. 2010. How does early childhood care and education affect cognitive development? An international review of the effects of early interventions for children from different social backgrounds. Early childhood research quarterly, 25(2), 140-165.
7. Burgess, E., and Ernst, J. 2020. Beyond Traditional School Readiness: How Nature Preschools Help Prepare Children for Academic Success. International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 7(2), 17-33.
8. Chairilsyah, D., and Kurnia, R. 2018. Teacher Assessment to School Readiness on the 5-6 Year-Old Children in State Kindergarten in Pekanbaru (Motoric Physical, Social Emotional, Moral, Language, and Cognitive Aspect). Journal of Educational Sciences, 2(2), 74-82.
9. Charara, J., Miller, E. A., and Krajcik, J. 2021. Knowledge in Use: Designing for Play in Kindergarten Science Contexts. Journal of Leadership, Equity, and Research, 7(1), n1.
10. Ellenbogen, S., Klein, B., and Wekerle, C. 2014. Early childhood education as a resilience intervention for maltreated children. Early child development and care, 184(9-10), 1364-1377.
11. DeLuca, C., Pyle, A., Valiquette, A., and LaPointe-McEwan, D. 2020. New directions for kindergarten education: Embedding assessment in play-based learning. The elementary school journal, 120(3), 455-479.
12. Danniels, E., and Pyle, A. 2018. Defining play-based learning. Encyclopedia on early childhood development, 1-5.
13. Dennis, L. R., Rueter, J. A., and Simpson, C. G. 2013, August 25. Authentic Assessment: Establishing a Clear Foundation for Instructional Practices. Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth, 57(4), 189-195. doi:10.1080/1045988X.2012.681715
14. Dykeman, B. F. 2008. Play-based neuropsychological assessment of toddlers. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 25, 405–408.
15. Elango, S., García, J. L., Heckman, J. J., and Hojman, A. 2015. Early childhood education. In Economics of Means-Tested Transfer Programs in the United States, Volume 2 (pp. 235-297). University of Chicago Press.
16. Finnish National Agency for Education. 2016. National core curriculum for early childhood education and care. Regulations and guidelines 2017. Helsinki: Finnish National Agency for Education.
17. Garfinkle, A. N. 2004. In M. McLean, M. Wolery, and D. B. Bailey, Assessing infants and preschoolers with special needs (pp. 451-486). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
18. Hatcher, B., Nuner, J., and Paulsel, J. 2012. Kindergarten Readiness and Preschools: Teachers’ and Parents’ Beliefs Within and Across Programs.
19. Henderson, A. T., and Berla, N. 1994. A new generation of evidence: The family is critical to student achievement. National Committee for Citizens in Education, Washington, DC.
20. Joanna Briggs Institute. (2018). The JBI Approach. Retrieved from http://joannabriggs.org/jbi-approach.html
21. Kangas, J., Harju-Luukkainen, H., Brotherus, A., Gearon, L. F., and Kuusisto, A. 2020. Outlining play and playful learning in Finland and Brazil: A content analysis of early childhood education policy documents. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood. doi:10.1177/1463949120966104
22. Keung, C. P., and Cheung, A. C. 2019. Towards Holistic Supporting of Play-Based Learning Implementation in Kindergartens: A Mixed Method Study. Early Childhood Education Journal, 47(5), 627–640. doi:10.1007/s10643-019-00956-2
23. Kjær, B., Bach, D., and Dannesboe, K. I. 2020. Academics as play and the social as discipline: school readiness in Denmark. International Journal of Early Years Education, 28(3), 246–261. doi:10.1080/09669760.2020.1806044
24. Kokkalia, G., Drigas, A. S., Economou, A., and Roussos, P. 2019. School readiness from kindergarten to primary school. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (Online), 14(11), 4.
25. Lillard, A. S., Lerner, M. D., Hopkins, E. J., Dore, R. A., Smith, E. D., and Palmquist, C. M. 2013. The impact of pretend play on children’s development: a review of the evidence. Psychological bulletin, 139(1), 1.
26. Lungu, S., and Matafwali, B. 2020. Play based learning in early childhood education (ECE) centres in Zambia: A teacher perspective. European Journal of Education Studies, 7(12).
27. Lumaurridlo, R., and Kistoro. 2021. School readiness assessment: Study of early childhood educator experience. Ilkogretim Online, Elementary Education Online.
28. Lyncha, and Anita, S. 2021. Widening the focus of school readiness for children with disabilities in Malawi: a critical review of the literature. International Journal of Inclusive Education.
29. Mak, T. C., Chan, D. K., and Capio, C. M. 2021. Strategies for teachers to promote physical activity in early childhood education settings—A scoping review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(3), 867.
30. Magdalena, S. M. 2014. The effects of parental influences and school readiness of the child. Procedia-Social and Behavioural Sciences, 127, 733-737.
31. Mindes, G. 2011. Assessing young children. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
32. Mungai, D. N. 2015. Relative Contribution of Different Levels of Parental Involvement to Primary School Readiness in Preschool Pupils in Nairobi County. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(29).
33. Munnik, E., and Smith, M. 2019. Contextualising school readiness in South Africa: Stakeholders’ perspectives. South African Journal of Childhood Education, 9(1). Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.4102/sajce.v9i1.680
34. Nakajima, N., Hasan, A., Jung, H., Brinkman, S., Pradhan, M., and Kinnell, A. 2019. Investing in school readiness: A comparison of different early childhood education pathways in rural Indonesia. International Journal of Educational Development, 69, 22-38.
35. O’Sullivan, L., and Ring, E. 2018. Play as learning: implications for educators and parents from findings of a national evaluation of school readiness in Ireland. International Journal of Play, 7(3), 266-289.
36. Parker, F. L., Boak, A. Y., Griffin, K. W., Ripple, C., and Peay, L. 1999. Parent-child relationship, home learning environment, and school readiness. School Psychology Review, 28(3), 413-425.
37. Perlman, M., Fletcher, B., Falenchuk, O., Brunsek, A., McMullen, E., and Shah, P. S. 2017. Child-staff ratios in early childhood education and care settings and child outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS one, 12(1), e0170256.
38. Pertriwsyj, A. 2013. Pedagogies on Inclusive transition to school. Retrieved at https://journal.sagepub.com.
39. Pyle, A., and DeLuca, C. 2017. Assessment in Play-Based Kindergarten Classrooms: An Empirical Study of Teacher Practice. The Journal of Educational Research.
40. Pyle, A., DeLuca, C., and Danniels, E. 2017. A scoping review of research on play‐based pedagogies in kindergarten education. Review of Education, 5(3), 311-351.
41. Pyle, A., DeLuca, C., Danniels, E., and Wickstrom, H. 2020. A Model for Assessment in Play-Based Kindergarten Education. American Educational Research Journal, 10.3102/0002831220908800.
42. Ramsdal, G., Bergvik, S., and Wynn, R. 2015. Parent–child attachment, academic performance and the process of high-school dropout: A narrative review. Attachment and Human Development, 17(5), 522-545.
43. Schachter, R. E. 2015. An analytic study of the professional development research in early childhood education. Early Education and Development, 26(8), 1057-1085.
44. Sema, Ö. 2021. The Role of Parents in Children’s School Readiness. Educational Policy Analysis and Strategic Research, 16(3).
45. Somolanji, T. I., and Borovac, T. 2020. Children’s symbolic play during the transition to school. International Journal of Early Years Education, 232-245. doi:10.1080/09669760.2020.1814210
46. Suleiman, I., Arslan, M., Alhajj, R., and Ridley, M. 2016. The power of online genetic algorithm in stealth assessment for school readiness. Journal of Computers In Education, 3(2), 209–246. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/s40692-016-0054-5
47. Tatalović Vorkapić, S., and Katić, V. 2020. Literacy-related school readiness through play in Croatia. International Journal of Early Years Education, 28(3), 277-294.
48. Taylor, M. E., and Boyer, W. 2020. Play-based learning: Evidence-based research to improve children’s learning experiences in the kindergarten classroom. Early Childhood Education Journal, 48(2), 127-133.
49. Ursache, A., Blair, C., and Raver, C. C. 2012. The promotion of self‐regulation as a means of enhancing school readiness and early achievement in children at risk for school failure. Child development perspectives, 6(2), 122-128.
50. Williams, P. G., Lerner, M. A., Sells, J., Alderman, S. L., Hashikawa, A., Mendelsohn, A., ... and Weiss-Harrison, A. 2019. School readiness. Pediatrics, 144(2).
51. Willis, E., and Dinehart, L. H. 2014. Contemplative practices in early childhood: implications for self-regulation skills and school readiness. Early child development and care, 184(4), 487-499.
52. Yalçın, B., and Dondu, N. B. 2020. Determining Children’s Primary School Readiness Level. European Journal of Educational Sciences, 7(4).
53. Youmans, A. S., Kirby, J. R., and Freeman, J. G. 2017. How effectively does the full-day, play-based kindergarten programme in Ontario promote self-regulation, literacy, and numeracy? Early Child Development and Care, 1-13. doi:10.1080/03004430.2017.1287177
54. Zamzow, J., and Ernst, J. 2020. Supporting School Readiness Naturally: Exploring Executive Function Growth in Nature Preschools. International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 7(2), 6-16.
Published
2024-03-05
How to Cite
Kalinde, B., Mambwe, R., Sichula, N. and Kaluba, C. (2024) “A Systematic Review of Early Childhood Education and Primary School Readiness for Transition Through Play-Based Pedagogies”, Journal of Law and Social Sciences, 5(4), pp. 63-88. doi: https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jlss.5.4.1165.