Date of Graduation

Spring 2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Education Policy, Planning, and Administration

Committee Chairperson

Heather Schugar, PhD

Committee Member

Jade Burris, EdD

Committee Member

Crystal Loose, EdD

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the kindergarten teachers’ perceptions of using purposeful play for children’s academic and developmental learning, and the benefits and challenges they perceive in implementing purposeful play. The study utilized a qualitative, visual arts-based, participatory action research (PAR) design, in the form of Photovoice methodology. This qualitative study focused on the kindergarten teachers’ lived experiences and voices on the importance of implementing purposeful play and employed Paulo Freire’s Critical Pedagogy and Constructivist theories. Utilizing this methodology, six kindergarten teacher participants collected photographs based on photo prompts, provided narratives to their photographs, and reflected and critically discussed the significance of the pictures in a symbolic and artistic way. Four themes emerged regarding the kindergarten teachers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of purposeful play in promoting children’s holistic learning: (a) interpreting play as a purposeful practice, (b) intentional teaching and instructional design, (c) teacher agency, and (d) navigating challenges. In addition, the participants also expressed hopes for the future of purposeful play, emphasizing stronger play-curriculum integration to help children find joy in learning. Their voices and lenses helped us reimagine kindergartens as spaces where creativity, curiosity, academics, and joy could coexist.

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