Teachers' Roles in Promoting Literacy in the Context of Play

This study focuses on the roles teachers undertake to promote literacy in a kindergarten classroom. Five early childhood teachers and their children participated in this study. Data were collected through systematic videotaped observations during the children's play periods. Inductive content analysis was the method used to analyze the data. The results identify, define, and describe the teachers' roles that they assumed in promoting the children's literacy development in the context of children's play. Teacher roles supporting literacy learning in children's play were identified, defined, and described as discussion leader, storyteller, examiner, instructional guide, informer, learning center monitor and decision-maker.