ASSESSMENT OF PLAY AS A LEARNING STRATEGY FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IN OREDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the use of play as a learning strategy for skill development in early childhood education in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo state. For the study to be carried out efficiently five research questions were used. A descriptive survey was employed. The population of the study was primary school pupils from both public and private under Oredo Local Government Area. The sampling technique used accessed was a simple technique, the sample size was hundred (100) primary five pupils. The research instrument used in collating this research work was a questionnaire, it was validated and gave a reliability index of 0.87. The data collected were analysed using mean and standard deviation for the research question, while hypotheses were tested using independent sample t-test at 0.05 level of significance. The findings show that: pre-primary schools have a high range of play facilities available, pre-primary school teachers use play as a method of instruction in their classrooms, and there was no significant difference in the utilization of play materials based on school type and qualifications. Based on the findings, the following recommendations were made: school managers and head teachers should cultivate a conducive social environment that could promote and motivate teachers‟ behaviour to embrace the use of play as a teaching strategy, School management should have ways in place to orient inexperienced teachers with the child-centred teaching methods especially the use of play in teaching, School management should arrange teachers - parents meeting to let them know that the early childhood education teaching and learning ought to be as child-centred as possible and that, the use of play as a teaching strategy is crucial as it enhances smooth academic progress for children.