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Towards a playworld translanguaging approach in early childhood education

 | University of Western Australia
 | Curtin University
 | Edith Cowan University
 | Curtin University
ORCiD logo with link | Curtin University
 | Murdoch University
Published online: 2 June 2025
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/aral.24132.oak
Abstract
In this conceptual paper, we integrate interdisciplinary perspectives from early childhood education and applied linguistics to propose a new framework: Playworld Translanguaging. This framework refers to the intentional blending of pedagogical translanguaging and conceptual playworlds to create a supportive, inclusive pedagogy in early childhood education settings for children from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
We argue that pedagogical translanguaging and conceptual playworlds share complementary features and philosophical foundations that can enhance language and literacy development, conceptual understanding, problem-solving skills, identity formation, personal agency, and overall wellbeing in young children. As both approaches are rights-based, inclusive, and responsive, their combination has the potential to effectively address the needs of linguistically and culturally diverse children.
While extensive research has shown the benefits of pedagogical translanguaging and conceptual playworlds independently, there is limited theorising and research on how combining these approaches might further improve outcomes in early childhood education. This paper thus aims to bridge that gap by introducing Playworld Translanguaging as a promising, unified approach.
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • Pedagogical translanguaging
  • Play and language and literacy learning
  • Playworlds and conceptual playworlds
  • Pedagogical translanguaging and Conceptual Playworlds: Commonalities
    • Rights based and inclusive
    • Socioculturally oriented
    • Designed spaces for learning
    • Flexible and responsive
    • Multimodal
  • Towards a playworld translanguaging approach
    • Selecting a story for playworld translanguaging
    • Designing playworld translanguaging spaces
    • Entering and exiting the playworld translanguaging space
    • Planning the problem to be solved in playworld translanguaging space
    • Deciding the role of the teacher in playworld translanguaging
    • Where to from here?
  • Conclusion
  • References
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