250— Play History: Common Trends in Preservice Teachers’ Play Histories

This qualitative study investigates teacher candidates’ play histories/autobiographies. The study investigates the questions, (1) What kinds of play and creative experiences do the teacher candidates share in their autobiographies? (2) How will these play and creative experiences influence their integration of play as future Early Childhood Educators? (3) What implications do these findings have for the integration of play and play experiences for Early Childhood Teacher Education? Data sources include the teacher candidates’ “play history autobiographies.” The data is being analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis through coding for common themes. This poster session will share the initial analysis of the first question and initial interpretations of possible implications for the students as future teachers.