ATTITUDE OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS TOWARDS THE STUDY OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

ABSTRACT

    Early childhood Education is the first phase of education where the foundation for lifelong learning and development is laid. It focus on the development and education of children from birth to age eight. This study set to examined the attitude of undergraduate students towards the study of early childhood education as a course in the university of Benin. To guide this study five research questions was raised and answered. The researcher employed the descriptive survey research design the sample of the study comprised of 100 early childhood education students selected through convenient sampling techniques, the instruments used was a questionnaire titled "Attitude of undergraduate student towards the study of Early childhood Education as a course of study in the university of Benin the Data collected were analyzed using frequency and simple percentage.  The findings revealed that generally, undergraduate student attitude towards early childhood education as a course of study is positive, although the respondents sees early childhood education as a relevant course of study in the society and agrees that it has led to a positive attitude in undergraduate student, However low percentage of students disagreed with this fact, saying although early childhood education is a relevant course in the society, but the salary scale of early childhood educators has led to a negative attitude towards the teaching professions. Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were suggested The review showed that Nigeria educational system is riddled with crisis since Independence and early childhood education is not left behind. Therefore, the government and stakeholders should put more efforts into developing and implementing proper curriculum and programmes for early childhood education in Nigeria. This is the foundation of all forms of education, when not properly laid; the foundation will become vain.  Parents, teachers and the government should encourage young adults who are willing to study early childhood education. This is to avoid cases where those who are willing to study the course show unsatisfactory attitudes towards early childhood education because they are being pushed by parents who have low educational background or unsupported by parents who have high educational background The idea of teaching profession especially early childhood education meant for only females should be looked into as this can discourage the male counterpart in taking early childhood education as a course of study in the university  Government should introduce a target for male admission into ECE programmes. Government should provide targeted training, scholarships and national advertising, and support the recruitment and retention of men in ECE. Government and private stakeholders should increase the pay of early childhood educators so as to motivate them as well as motivate students to be interested in the course.