PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS' EXPERIENCES OF USING PLAY-BASED PEDAGOGY TO INCORPORATE INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CLASSROOMS.

This qualitative study explores pre-service teachers' experiences in employing play-based pedagogy to integrate Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) within Early Childhood Education (ECE) classrooms. The integration of IKS into higher education is of paramount importance. IKS encompasses the rich cultural heritage, philosophies, and practices developed by indigenous communities over generations. Incorporating IKS into higher education curricula not only validates and preserves these knowledge systems but also promotes a more inclusive and diverse academic environment. Guided by Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT), the research examines how pre-service teachers mediate between traditional knowledge systems and contemporary pedagogical practices. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with pre-service teachers enrolled in a Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase programme in South Africa. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes related to the role of play in facilitating culturally responsive teaching, challenges in aligning IKS with standardised curricula, and the development of professional identity through the integration of indigenous practices. Findings suggest that ECE pre-service teachers possess a superficial awareness of IKS. Although some pre-service teachers reported IKS integration through play-based strategies such as diketo or cultural show-and-tell, these emerged sporadically and were guided more by personal intuition rather than structured pedagogical frameworks. The study recommends that teacher training programs should integrate IKS through structured modules on socio-cultural learning; provide pre-service teachers with IKS aligned resources. Lastly, they should build partnerships with Indigenous Knowledge bearers to allow pre-service teachers to co-create curricula based on lived experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]