Learning vocabulary through socio-dramatic play in an infant classroom – a pilot study

The aim of this research – set in the Republic of Ireland - is to explore how to enhance and extend young children’s (aged 4-6 years) vocabulary through: playful methodologies, providing opportunities to build upon natural instincts of play and curiosity, and utilising these instincts to develop learning. Language development and constructivism underpin the review of literature and consideration is given to the role of the adult during play and the home learning environment. <br><br>This is a mixed methods study which utilises both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques.

A pilot randomised controlled trial in a Primary School classroom was used to ascertain whether socio-dramatic play facilitates topic-specific vocabulary acquisition. A topic introduced by storybook reading has been developed by groups of pupils exploring and expanding upon the themes using socio-dramatic and ‘small world’ play, while other groups continued to use more traditional language activities (providing a control group for data).