Influence of play material on teaching and learning in the Jomoro Municipality

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the views of Early Childhood Educators on the influence of play materials on teaching and learning as well as play as a teaching method in selected schools in two circuits in the Jomoro Municipality. The study adopted concurrent triangulation mixed methods approach. The target population of the study was 230 Early Childhood Educators in the Jomoro Municipality. This comprised 20 basic school heads, 20 school supervisors and 190 kindergarten teachers in the Jomoro Municipality. A sample of 120 participants was selected in this study: 100 kindergarten teachers, 10 basic school heads and 10 school supervisors. Purposive, simple random and convenience sampling techniques were used to select the participants. Questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential statistics, specifically frequency counts, percentages and linear multiple regression were used to analyse the quantitative data. On the other hand, thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. The findings showed that early childhood teachers in Jomoro Municipality have positive perception on the use of play as a teaching method. The findings discovered that availability of teaching and learning materials, teaching experience, organisation of in-service training, motivation for teachers and regular supervision were the major measures that can be employed to positively shape the perception of teachers and help them of play to effect learning. The study recommended that through in-service training, headteachers should encourage early childhood teachers in Jomoro Municipality to continuously have positive perception towards play as a teaching method. This could help them to continuously use play as a teaching method in teaching kindergarten children in Jomoro Municipality. Personnel in charge of supervision at the Jomoro Municipal Education Directorate should educate kindergarten teachers on the use to use play as a teaching method. This could help them use it more often in their lesson delivery; hence, could help children have better understanding of lessons taught.