Roessingh, HettyNeogi, Prama2022-05-132022-05-132022-04-25Neogi, P. (2022). Play-based learning as a context for culturally responsive teaching for young Indigenous children: Insights from a bounded case study (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.http://hdl.handle.net/1880/114663Despite the growing urgency for the preservation and revitalization of, and education in Indigenous languages, very little research has been done on effective pedagogical practices that promote strong bilingual development for early learners. This study investigates the effects of an early bilingual play-based intervention among Chakma youngsters in a small rural community of Bangladesh. A case study research approach is adopted to glean deep qualitative insights into various dimensions of the program and its implementation. Photographic evidence, field notes and a reflective journal, interview data, and artefacts of children’s learning constitute the data, analyzed holistically for emergent themes. Three key themes are identified in the findings: (1) the centrality of the teacher, (2) the value of the first language and culture in accounting for a number of outcomes, and (3) the importance of play as a space for engaging children in purposeful, meaningful ‘work’ that promotes the goals of early childhood learning – especially in setting the foundations of language and early literacy learning yet to come. Five promising practices evolve from the data, most important of which are early intervention and a play-based approach that provides a context for culturally responsive practices. Cautions include the transitional nature of the program that threatens the stability of the children’s first language. This may lead to subtractive bilingualism, leaving these children linguistically and, in turn, educationally vulnerable for life.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.indigenous educationbilingual educationplay-based learningculturally responsive pedagogyEducationEducation--Bilingual and MulticulturalEducation--Early ChildhoodLanguagemaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/39778