Publication: Evaluation of the effects of mother tongue on acquisition of science skills of early childhood learners aged 3-6 years in Kikuyu Sub County , Kiambu County , Kenya
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2015-06
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Mount Kenya University
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Abstract
Mother tongue, as the term suggests, is closest to a person's heart. To this end, modern psychology
also lays tremendous stress on a child's connection with the mother tongue. Having realized the
significance of the mother tongue advantage, parents have started initiating their children in their
native and natural language. The main objective of the study was to examine the effectiveness of
use of mother tongue on acquisition of classification, observation/recording and interpretation
skills of ECDE children aged 3-6 years. The study was guided by specific objectives that includes,
to identify science skills taught in mother tongue in Kikuyu Sub County, Kiambu County, to
establish how mother tongue is used in teaching scientific concepts and skills in Kikuyu Sub
County, Kiambu County, to assess the effectiveness of using Kikuyu in teaching science skills in
Kikuyu Sub County, Kiambu County and to identify availability of necessary prerequisites in using
mother tongue in teaching science in Kikuyu Sub County, Kiambu County. The researcher used
descriptive survey research design to evaluating mother tongue and its effects on acquisition of
science skills of ECDE children aged 3-6 years, Kikuyu Sub County. Purposive sampling method
was used for this study where the researcher only identified the respondents that can be interviewed
based on their accessibility and availability for the interview. The target population of the study
included teachers, parents, children and ECDE officers both totaling to 1165. A sample population
of 384 was adopted to represent the entire population. The study used questionnaire as the main
data collection instruments. Pilot study was undertaken before the main study on participants who
did not take part in the main study. The questionnaire and semi-structured checklist was piloted to
ensure that the questions are unambiguous and answerable. The quantitative data were coded,
tabulated analyzed using descriptive, frequencies and percentages. Correlation and regression
analysis were used. The qualitative data on the other hand were organized into major themes and
were used to draw conclusions on effectiveness of mother tongue as a language of instruction in
acquisition of science skills. The study established that use of mother tongue enhances early
childhood learners’ acquisition of science skills such as classification, observation/recording and
interpretation skills. The study thus recommends that schools lay emphasis on the use of mother
tongue as a medium of instruction in science amongst early childhood and that learners be
encouraged to classify plants and animals in their own language to enhance confidence and
participatory learning of science concepts. Teachers be trained on the essence of using mother
tongue as a medium of instruction in early childhood settings. The government formulates a policy
to ensure adherence to the Language Policy which addresses use of mother tongue in early
childhood education settings and enhance quality basic education.
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Early Childhood Studies