Publication: A relational analysis between child play and child growth and development in early childhood development education in public pre-schools in Kamukunji sub-county, Nairobi county Kenya
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2015-11
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Mount Kenya University
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Abstract
Children learn effectively through play-oriented approach with concrete experience. To achieve
meaningful growth during their pre-school period, children require a lot of well-planned and
coordinated play activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship analysis
between play on child growth and development in early childhood development education in
public pre-schools in Kamukunji Sub County, Nairobi county Kenya. Specifically, the study aimed
to examine the following objectives; to what extent does play affect social and cognitive
development in early childhood education, how does child play affect motor and physical
development in early childhood education, to what extent does play affect emotional development
in early childhood education and what is the effect of play on language development in early
childhood education. Theories governing growth and play in young children included the Jean
Piaget play theory and Tylers theory. Quantitative research method and descriptive survey design
were used because information was collected without changing the environment. It was the best
method for collecting information that was used to demonstrate relationship between the
independent and dependent variables. The study used purposive sampling where the researcher
decided about the individual participants who would be most likely to contribute appropriate data,
both in terms of relevance and depth. Questionnaires were used to collect data from 17 head
teachers, 340 pupils and 34 pre-school teachers in public preschool schools in Kamukunji Sub
County. Piloting was conducted using test-pretest technique where the researcher compared the
two sets of data for each respondent to find out whether the instruments are valid and reliable. The
study used descriptive statistics that produces a figure that summarizes or describes a set of data.
Frequencies and percentages were used in the analysis, with the help of SPSS statistics version
21.0 software. The study concludes that majority of the respondents were in agreement that Play
makes them happy, Play helps children to grow, play promotes child’s reasoning, education helps
children to handle new friends, Through play children improve manipulative skills and that
manipulative skills improve the bone development. The study concludes child play influence the
social and cognitive developments in early childhood development to a great extent and that pupils
like and value relationships with others, respondents care so much about other children, through
play pupils learn how to share with other children. The study concludes that child play influence
motor and physical developments in early childhood development to a great extent, and that; pupils
get enough guidance concerning their emotional development. The study concludes that child play
influence emotional developments in early childhood development to a great extent. The study
concluded teachers are good in acknowledging children’s emotional responses, through play, a
child gains tolerance of frustrations, many believe that a child builds feelings of self-worth through
play; play develops the art of appreciation and positive attitude. The government and the school
managers should use these results to establish more strategies that enhance the performance of
children in early childhood education.
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Early childhood, Education