Examining Literacy Development Holistically using the Play and Learn through the Arts (PLA) Programme: A Case Study

Article

Theodotou, E. 2019. Examining Literacy Development Holistically using the Play and Learn through the Arts (PLA) Programme: A Case Study. Early Child Development and Care. 189 (3), pp. 488-499. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2017.1326914
AuthorsTheodotou, E.
Abstract

Literacy is one of the most important areas of development in the early years settings. Several pieces of research examine the positive impact of the arts in children’s literacy development. However, most of them are focusing on specific literacy skills and not in providing a holistic examination of literacy. In addition to this, they adapt a structured methodology, with pre-decided lesson plans, which is contradicting with the liberal character of the arts. Having this in mind along with the importance of literacy as an area of learning, this research project was designed with the purpose to examine the effects of the arts on children’s holistic literacy development in the early years settings through a child-led approach. The ‘Play and Learn through the Arts’ (PLA) programme was used for a school year in a case study with 5-6-year-old children in Greece. The outcomes were measured using a mix-method approach. The findings showed the positive contribution of the PLA in children’s literacy development.

Keywordsliteracy skills; Play and Learn through the Arts; arts; early years education; preschool education
JournalEarly Child Development and Care
Journal citation189 (3), pp. 488-499
ISSN0300-4430
1476-8275
Year2019
PublisherTaylor & Francis (Routledge)
Accepted author manuscript
License
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2017.1326914
Publication dates
Online16 May 2017
PrintJan 2019
Publication process dates
Deposited04 May 2017
Accepted02 May 2017
Accepted02 May 2017
Copyright informationThis is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis Group in Early Child Development and Care on 16.05.17, available online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2017.1326914.
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