Publication: An investigation of the implications of maternal alcoholism of preschool children's learning outcomes in Embu East Sub-County, Kenya.
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2015-10
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Mount Kenya University
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Abstract
Preschool children have in the recent past manifested instances of dismal performance. Their
performance in problem solving, basic numeracy, language and creativity skills has been below
expectations due to low maternal involvement. Thus, this study intended to investigate the
relationship between maternal alcoholism and learning outcomes of preschool children in Embu
East Sub-county, Embu County, Kenya. The objectives of the study included; mother to child
interactions, mothers’ mental health problems, and family history of alcohol abuse and length of
time of alcohol abuse in relation to learning outcomes of preschool. The study was guided by the
Disease Theory of Alcoholism. The study adopted a mixed method approach since it involved
collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. The study applied explanatory
sequential design which involved mixing both quantitative and qualitative research and methods.
The target population for this study comprised 67 preschool managers, 78 preschool teachers,
134 Mothers’ Representatives and 2129 preschool children all totalling to 2408. Using The
Central Limit Theorem, the researcher sampled 10 preschools (14.9% of 67) and 300
respondents (12.5% of 2408). Stratified sampling was used to create 6 different strata based on
the number of zones. From each stratum, 2 preschools and 2 preschool managers and 4 preschool
teachers were selected using simple random sampling. The researcher then applied simple
random sampling to select 7 Mothers’ Representatives and 38 preschool children from each
stratum. Questionnaires, interview schedules and observation checklist were used to collect data.
Piloting of research instruments was conducted amongst 2 preschool managers and 3 preschool
teachers to establish validity, reliability, credibility and dependability. Reliability was obtained
through test re-test method and reliability coefficient of r = 0.6 was obtained using Pearson’s
Product Moment Correlation Coefficient Method. Qualitative data was analysed thematically
whereas the basic quantitative data was analysed inferentially using Pearson’s Product Moment
Correlation (PPMC) Test Analysis in Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS version 21).
The findings of the study were presented using tables. Educators, teachers and other stakeholders
should encourage mothers to understand that their behaviuor such as alcoholism has drastic effects
on the behavioural patterns of their children which, in turn, impacts negatively on their children’s
acquisition of basic numeracy, language and creativity skills. Alcoholic mothers should be
advised to seek rehabilitation in order to improve their selfimage before their children which, in
turn, enhances their children’s acquisition of basic numeracy, language and creativity skills.
Mothers should seek guidance and counselling services to understand their alcoholism erodes the
confidence their children have in them as academic role models who assist in homework and
responding to their immediate education demands. Parents should collaborate with teachers to
ensure that they provide a social learning which cultivates children’s holistic growth through
positive social interactions with peers and adults. Mothers should be made to understand that
their substance abuse sow seeds of mistrust, guilt and fear which affects their academic
performance and thus they need to change. Ministry of Education should help mothers adopt
practices such as good behaviour devoid of alcoholism which can enhance positive interactions
with their children as a strategy for enhancing their learning outcomes.