Teachers’ reconceptualization of young children’s identities and abilities through research-based drama professional development

This study examines how the Early Years Educators at Play (EYEPlay) professional development (PD) program transformed preschool teachers’ reconceptualization of children’s learning identities and abilities. The EYEPlay PD model was a yearlong program, which integrated drama strategies into literacy practices within classroom contexts. Cultural-historical activity theory and Holland’s (1998) identity theory were used to understand how EYEPlay PD practices mediated teachers’ conceptualization of children’s learning identities and abilities. Twelve semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with 19 preschool teachers. The data were analyzed via constant-comparative and interpretive methods. The study findings show that the EYEPlay PD activities mediated the teachers’ reconceptualization of the children’s learning identities and abilities in relation to developmental age and dis/ability status.