What should we create today? Improvisational teaching in play-based classrooms

This study presents the findings from a qualitative case study of free playtime in a toddler and a preschool classroom. This study explores whether recent understandings of play as a collectively produced improvised activity can shed light on the role of the early childhood teacher. The study found that the teachers and children collectively created a playful classroom environment by engaging in on-going improvised activity. The teachers often served as skilled improvisers, by creating, together with the children in their class, new performances out of whatever was available at the moment. The study concludes with a recommendation that improvisational theatre training be considered as a potentially supportive form of teacher education.