TEACHERS PERCEPTIONS OF OUTDOOR PLAY DURING RECESS ON EARLY CHILDHOOD PUPILS DEVELOPMENT IN BENIN METROPOLIS.

ABSTRACT

The study investigated teachers perceptions of outdoor play during recess on  early childhood pupils development in Benin Metropolis. In order to carry out this study, four research questions were raised as a guide for the study. The  study adopted cross sectional survey  research design.The population of the study comprised  of  all early childhood teachers in private pre-primary schools in Benin Metropolis. The sample consist of One hundred and fifty (150) early childhood teachers selected through purposive sampling technique. The instrument for the study was a questionnaire designed after review of related literature. The instrument was validated by three lecturers in the institute of  Education. The reliability of the instrument was established using Crombach alpha which yield a value of 0.800. The data generated was analyzed using frequency distribution, mean and standard deviation. The study shows that  early childhood teachers perceived that play is instrumental in physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of children. In addition to the knowledge of  their role in this regard. However, the study noted the preponderance of constraints in conducting outdoor play during recess hours. Based on this, it was recommended that there is need for pre-primary school administrators to elevate the structure of play in their schools by ensuring children are given opportunity to engage in play during recess hours.