“Nothing is Impossible. The word itself says I’m possible!” (Audrey Hepburn)

Goal 1 ~ Artifact 1B

EDUC 500 61B: Research Methodology in Early Childhood Education (Instructor: Dr. Mari Pighini) 

Assignment 3 – Instalment 3 (Outlining and Completing a Research Proposal)

Over 30 years ago, Carol Dweck coined the terms ‘fixed mindset’ and ‘growth mindset’ to describe the underlying beliefs people have about learning and ability. Growth mindset refers to the perspective that ability can be developed through effort (Dweck, 2006). Research indicates that mindset is malleable and that adopting a growth mindset influences learning behaviours in positive ways (Dweck, 2006). Looking into the topic of growth mindset, this paper proposes a quantitative study to examine the question: Can collaborative play-based learning support the development of student growth mindset in the Kindergarten classroom?

Kindergarten has undergone significant curricular changes including increasing academic standards for young learners, in addition to mandating play-based approaches. As a result, several tensions currently exist in Kindergarten education – tensions between academic learning and play-based learning; and also between teacher-directed instruction and child-directed learning. However, what if collaborative (guided) play could be a compromise, where the locus of control is shared to balance the extrinsic learning goal of the teacher and intrinsic motivation of the child? Collaborative play could then be used as a way to support student acquisition of both academic and developmental skills by providing students with opportunities to learn in a fun, motivating and meaningful context. “The experiences of children’s play have a profound impact on all areas of their growth and development” (Play Today B.C. Handbook: 2019, p.1); in areas of cognition, social and emotional and self-regulation (Lester & Russell, 2008; Pyle, DeLuca, & Danniels, 2017). This research proposal explores how collaborative play could be used to support children’s development of growth mindset to encourage personal and academic success, happiness, and well-being.

Read Online: Playing the Way to a Growth Mindset in Kindergarten

Download PDF: Playing the Way to a Growth Mindset in Kindergarten

References

Dweck, C., S. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. New York: Ballantine Books.

Government of British Columbia. (2019). The Play Today B.C. Handbook. Retrieved from:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/education/early-learning/teach/earlylearning/play-today-

handbook.pdf

Hepburn, A. (n.d). Retrieved March 1, 2021, from https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/12732-nothing-is-

impossible-the-word-itself-says-i-m-possible

Lester, S., & Russell, W. (2008). Play for a change: Play, policy, and practice: A review of

contemporary perspectives. London: Play England.

Pyle, A., DeLuca, C., & Danniels, E. (2017). A scoping review of research on play‐based

pedagogies in education. Review of Education, 5(3), 311-351.