Islam, Syeda Fareha ShaheedaMursalin, Shakera2022-03-062022-03-0620212021-12ID 20355015http://hdl.handle.net/10361/16407Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (pages 54-59).This thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Early Child Development, 2021.The COVID-19 pandemic had turned the education sector on its head. When schools were shut down worldwide as a preventive measure to minimize the spread of the virus, educators were sent scrambling to adjust with an almost new teaching method - online classes. Pre-primary education was not an exception to this upheaval. As the education at this level is tailored for play-based learning depending on physical proximity, teachers had to develop new ideas to be effective in the online classes. This study shed light on the perception and practice of play-based learning in the preprimary online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study is a qualitative study conducted on pre-primary level teachers. The data has been collected through 6 in-depth interviews and 2 class observations. The study findings show that the teachers know the basics of pre-primary education and practice play-based learning in their classes. However, most of them lack in-depth knowledge regarding the objectives and purpose of using play-based learning for preprimary education. Instead of helping the students attain their developmental milestones, the teacher employs play-based learning for academic purposes. The study also shows that teachers are hampered by problems like- network and electricity issues, inability to retain students' attention, not attending classes, and insufficient teaching materials while taking online classes.68 pagesenBRAC University thesis reports are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission.Pre-primary educationplay-based learningCovid-19 pandemicOnline classesEducation, PreschoolInternet in educationThesis