Play activities among preschoolers at early childhood centres in the Sangnarigu municipality.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate play activities among pre-schoolers at early childhood centres in the Sangnarigu Municipality. This research employed the concurrent nested mixed method design where the quantitative method is dominant to the qualitative method. The accessible population of the study was all kindergarten teachers in the Sangnarigu Municipality. There were one hundred and forty (140) kindergarten teachers in the ten circuits within the Sangnarigu Municipality. This comprised fifteen (15) males and one hundred and twenty-five (125) female teachers. The sample size for the study was one hundred and forty (140) participants. Participants were sampled through census and purposive sampling techniques questionnaire and interview guide was used to collect data for the study. The findings indicate that some teachers viewed play and learning as two separate or dichotomous activities, but others believed children learn through play. The findings of the study revealed that play features on the school timetable of public kindergartens in the district. The findings also revealed that teachers played several roles when using play-based teaching as an instructional technique and activity The findings of this study identified lack and inadequacy of play equipment and materials, not having enough indoor space, not enough time on the schedule, and having too many pupils to teach. Based on the first research question, the study recommends that the Sangnarigu Municipality Directorate of Education should organise periodic workshops for kindergarten teachers on the importance of play. Finally, with respect to fourth research question, the study recommends that the Sangnarigu Municipal Directorate of Education in liaison with the Sangnarigu Municipal Assembly and Non-Governmental Organisations in the district should pro