PLAY AND ITS EFFECTS ON EARLY CIDLDHOOD EDUCATION ACASE STUDY OF AKADOOT PRIMARY SCHOOL, AN GURAl DIVISION, TESO NORTH DISTRICT, KENYA.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to investigate the imp01tance of playing on the early

childhood education in Akadoot primary school, Teso N01th District, Kenya.

The specific objectives of the study were to detennine the profile of the respondents in

regards to: age, gender and academic level, to investigate the importance of playing in

regards to academic achievements, problem solving, social and egoistic competence

confidence building and health development and to identify the hindrance to children's

playing the methods used to data collection were questionnaires to the teachers and focus

groups discussions with the parents.

The finding indicated that playing had positive effect on the performance of early

childhood children, playing hdps children leam how to solve problems: it also indicated

that children who play leam to be confident and it indicated that lack of enough playing

materials was the major hindrance to children play .

Govemment should make sure early childhood centers have enough and strong playing

materials before they are licensed. The community and parents should be sensitized about

the importance of playing so that they also participate in children's playing activities.

Schools should make sure they fulfill what is the cuniculum by involving children in

playing activities.

Xl