2025-10-222025-10-222025-09-22ANJOS, Ewellin Santos dos. O brincar na educação infantil: tensões e práticas docentes. Orientadora: Sandra Karina Barbosa Mendes. 2025. 29 f. Trabalho de Curso Licenciatura Plena em Pedagogia) – Faculdade de Educação e Ciências Sociais, Campus Universitário de Abaetetuba, Universidade Federal do Pará, Abaetetuba, 2025. Disponível em: https://bdm.ufpa.br/handle/prefix/8739. Acesso em:.https://bdm.ufpa.br/handle/prefix/8739This research aimed to analyze how early childhood education teachers position themselves regarding the tension between formal teaching and spontaneous play. Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with teachers from a municipal daycare center in Abaetetuba, Pará, seeking to understand their practices and perceptions. The results revealed challenges such as institutional pressure to meet curricular goals, family expectations focused on formal education, the unpredictability of play, and resource limitations. Despite these obstacles, the teachers recognize play as a legitimate language of learning. We conclude that reconciling formal teaching and play is possible, provided there is adequate training, dialogue with families, and improved resources.Acesso AbertoEducação infantilBrincadeira espontâneaEnsino formalPrática docenteEarly childhood educationSpontaneous playFormal teachingTeaching practiceCNPQ::CIENCIAS HUMANAS::EDUCACAO::TOPICOS ESPECIFICOS DE EDUCACAO::EDUCACAO PRE-ESCOLARTrabalho de Curso - Graduação - ArtigoAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Brazil