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VOL. 7, ISSUE 1 (2025)
Ngaged learners approach and acquisition of social skills by preschoolers in public childhood centres in Rivers east Senatorial district of Rivers state, Nigeria
Authors
Amadi-Ali, Beatrice O, Utong Naomi Clinton
Abstract
This study examined the effect of engaged
learners approach by caregivers on preschoolers’ social skills acquisition in
public early childhood centres in Rivers East Senatorial District of Rivers
State. Quasi-experimental design was employed for the study. Four objectives,
four research questions and four null hypotheses guided the study. Population
of the study was 2,399 preschoolers; while sample size for the study was 47
preschoolers. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were
used to draw the sample size. Instrument for data collection was the
researcher-designed 20 items preschoolers’ social skills acquisition checklist
titled: “Preschoolers’ Social Skills Acquisition Checklist (PSSAC)”. The
instrument was validated by experts in early childhood and primary education.
The test-retest method was employed for obtaining the reliability index score
of 0.69, using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Instrument was
administered with the help of the caregivers who severed as research
assistants. The research assistants were trained for three days to get them
acquainted with the objectives of the study, the mode of instrument
administration and how to retrieve the instrument. The administration exercise
lasted for four weeks so as to determine the effect of engaged learners
approach on preschoolers’ social skills acquisition; as well as determine the
difference in acquisition of social skills between preschoolers of experimental
and control group. Data collected were analyzed using mean and standard
deviation for the research questions, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) for
testing the null hypotheses. The findings of the study revealed among others
that there is a significant difference between engaged learners approach and
traditional or conventional teaching method on the acquisition of preschoolers’
social skills in public childhood centres in Rivers East Senatorial District of
Rivers State. Based on the findings, it was concluded that there is significant
impact of engaged learners approach on cooperation, truth, turn-taking,
friendliness and interdependence skills among preschoolers in public childhood
centres in Rivers East Senatorial District of Rivers State. Some
recommendations were also made, among which is that early childhood education
centres should ensure that there is an enabling environment for caregivers and
preschoolers to employ engaged learners teaching approach that can develop
social skills such as friendliness, cooperation, turn-taking, truth saying,
among others.
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Pages:29-36
How to cite this article:
Amadi-Ali, Beatrice O, Utong Naomi Clinton "Ngaged learners approach and acquisition of social skills by preschoolers in public childhood centres in Rivers east Senatorial district of Rivers state, Nigeria". International Journal of Educational Research and Development, Vol 7, Issue 1, 2025, Pages 29-36
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