Teacher preparation for movement education: increasing pre-service teachers' competence for working with young children

Sevimli-Celik S., Johnson J. E.

ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF TEACHER EDUCATION, vol.44, no.3, pp.274-288, 2016 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 44 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2016
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/1359866x.2015.1079303
  • Journal Name: ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF TEACHER EDUCATION
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.274-288
  • Keywords: Early childhood education, movement education, pre-service teachers, qualitative research, teacher preparation, EMBODIMENT
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study explores pre-service teachers' perceptions of movement education, the benefits they perceive from participating in a 12-week movement education module in a course on play, and the module's effects on their confidence and competence in regard to incorporating movement into a curriculum. Findings suggest that the pre-service teachers achieved a deeper understanding of movement education and appreciated the module as a worthwhile professional growth experience. Specifically, they viewed the module as enabling them to build a new understanding of movement, to express themselves physically, to develop movement skills, to engage in social interactions, and to teach a variety of subjects using movement education principles. The study demonstrated that the module of this nature constitutes a useful educational tool for fostering the professional development of pre-service teachers in regard to their beliefs, attitudes, and skills pertaining to movement education.