Research shows that play is important to children’s learning and teachers have important roles to play during children’s play. However, my anecdotal observations and experiences show that there are gaps between theories and practices among early childhood centers in Singapore with regards to allowing play in the curriculum. The purpose of this case evaluation study is to analyze the impact of early childhood principals’ leadership has on teachers’ implementation of play in early childhood education curriculum.

1. Teo, B. (2002). Early Childhood Educational Management: Managing change in curriculum in early childhood education centers
in Singapore to allow for play curriculum.
Early Childhood Educational Management:
Managing change in curriculum in early childhood
education centers in Singapore to allow for play
curriculum
Betty S. G. Teo
Faculty of Education, Language and Community Services
RMIT University
A Research Project
submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the
award of the Master of Education (Educational Management and Leadership)
June 2002

2. Teo, B. (2002). Early Childhood Educational Management: Managing change in curriculum in early childhood education centers
in Singapore to allow for play curriculum.
(ABSTRACT)
Research shows that play is important to children’s learning and teachers have important
roles to play during children’s play. However, my anecdotal observations and experiences
show that there are gaps between theories and practices among early childhood centers in
Singapore with regards to allowing play in the curriculum. The purpose of this case
evaluation study is to analyze the impact of early childhood principals’ leadership has on
teachers’ implementation of play in early childhood education curriculum. Four principals
and twelve teachers from four different early childhood education centres were studied
through non-probability sampling. Both qualitative and quantitative interview questionnaires
were used. Observations of teachers’ involvement during play sessions were conducted. Data
was analyzed through an Analysis of Variance. Results show that principals’ philosophy of
play affect teachers’ implementation of play in the classrooms. Besides qualifications,
attitudes and beliefs of principals and teachers also affect the implementation of play, even if
play is included in the curriculum. Implications are presented along with suggested future
avenues for research, such as, how the effect of no-play will impact children over time, and to
investigate how play will impact other measure of achievements.
Key Words: early childhood, play, curriculum, management, leadership, Singapore

3. Teo, B. (2002). Early Childhood Educational Management: Managing change in curriculum in early childhood education centers
in Singapore to allow for play curriculum.
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FURTHER READINGS
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