IMPACT OF PLAY ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION lN LANGATA DIVISION NAIROBI PROVINCE KENYA

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of play on early childhood education in Langata Division, Nairobi province Kenya T71e spec/fie o~iectives of the study were; Asses the impact of play 011 the academic pe1formance of early childhood in Langata Division, Nairobi province Kenya, Determine the impact of play on the health development of early childhood in Langata Division, Nairobi province Kenya and to Investigate the factors qffecting the f::ffective and free play of children in Langata Division, Nairobi province Kenya.

The methods used for data collection were questionnaires to the teacher and interviews with the parents lhe study revealed that play helps the children perform well in class, it makes the children like the school environment, helps children pe1form well in future and it is vital for children to understand what they are taught

The study revealed that play helps children develop well, it helps children remain physically fit, children do not fall sick because of play and play is important for children to stay healthy. The study revealed time factor affects the free play of children. In this case a child is always on a light schedule and has 110 lime. for plying. It was established that Poverty is one of the hindrances to children's playing this is true because parents and schools have no money to buy playing materials for children. Lack o,f playing materials especially at school affects the effectiveness and free play o,f children.

The study established that some parents do not allow their children to play instead they restrict them to computer and television vedio games only. 'f11e study revealed that Lack o,f supervision and protection qtfects the e.tfectil·eness andft·ee play of children especialzv at home because qfsernrity reasons. Looking at the findings of the study, the following recommendations are made; Government should make sure early childhood centers have enough and strong playing materials before they are licensed

The community and parents should be sensitized about the importance of playing so that they also participate in children's playing activities. Schools should make sure they fi1!fill what is in the curriculum by involving children in playing activities.

Table of contents

Declaration ...................................................................................................................... i

Approval ...................................................................................................................... .ii

Dedication ..................................................................................................................... .iii

Acknowledgment ............................................................................................................... iv

Acronyms ................................................................................................................... .iii

Definition of terms ............................................................................................................. vi

Table ofcontents ............................................................................................................... vii

List of tables ....................................................................................................................... x

List of charts ...................................................................................................................... xi

Abstract ..................................................................................................................... xii

CHAPTER ONE ......................................................................................... I

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... I

1.1 Background to the study ................................................................................................ I

1.2 Statement of the problem ............................................................................................... I

1.3 Objectives of the study .................................................................................................. 2

I. 4 Research Questions ....................................................................................................... 2

1. 5 Scope of the study ......................................................................................................... 2

1.6 Significance of the study ............................................................................................... 3

CHAPTER TWO .............................................................................................................. 4

LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................................... 4

Introduction ............................................................................................................ 4

Impact of play on the academic performance of early childhood .......................................... 4

Impact of play on the physical development of early childhood ........................................... 5

Factors Affecting Free Play of Children .............................................................................. 6

Theoretical framework ........................................................................................................ 8

CHAPTER THREE .......................................................................................................... 9

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................... 9

vii

3.0. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 9

3 .1. Research Design ........................................................................................................... 9

3 .2. Organization of the study .............................................................................................. 9

3 .2.1. Study area .................................................................................................................. 9

3 .2.2 Study population ......................................................................................................... 9

3.2.3. Sample size ............................................................................................................... 9

3 .2.4. Sampling technique ................................................................................................... 9

3.3. Research instmments .................................................................................................... 9

3 .3 .1. Reliability of instmments ......................................................................................... 10

3 .4. Data collection procedure ........................................................................................... 10

3.5. Data analysis .............................................................................................................. 10

CHAPTER FOUR ........................................................................................................... 11

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION ............................... 11

4.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 11

4.1. Profile of the respondents ........................................................................................... 11

Children involvement in playing activities ......................................................................... 12

4.3. Impact of play on the health development of early childhood ...................................... 18

CHAPTER FIVE ............................................................................................................. 23

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATlONS ............... 23

5.0. Introduction ........................................................................................................... 23

5.1 Summary ............................................................................................................... 23

5.2. Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 25

5.3 Recommendations ....................................................................................................... 26

Schools should make sure they fulfill what is in the curriculum by involving children in

playing activities ............................................................................................................... 26

5.4 Areas for further studies .............................................................................................. 27

References ........................................................................................................................ 28

APPENDIX I: TRANSMIT AL LETTER .......................................................................... 30

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viii

Appendix II: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR TEACHERS ......................................................... 31

APPENDIX III: MAP OF THE RESEACH AREA ........................................................... 33