Contribution of Physical Classroom Conditions on Children Learning in Early Childhood Centres in Engineer Zone, Nyandarua County,Kenya
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Date
2015
Authors
Njeri, Wainaina Phyllis
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The mushrooming of Early Childhood Centres in Kenya and other environmental factors have
given rise to many challenges in ECD education in the country. The challenges continue to
change the conditions in which the children find themselves in learning as well as their
performance. This research project focused on the contributions of the classroom physical
conditions on the learning of children in Early Childhood Centres in Engineer zone. orth
Kinangop Division, Nyandarua County. This study sought to establish the contributions of
teaching materials, the creativity of the teacher in organization and the physical environment. to
the extent that these factors affected learning in pre-schools. The study was based on Conditions
of Learning theory put forward by Robert Gagne in 1985, which stresses on the importance of
classroom conditions in facilitating better learning. In this particular research, the descriptive
research design was employed using the survey method to obtain the data that was manipulated
to give results of the project. The method was both preferable and convenient, since taking a
representative sample made it easier to carry out an in-depth analysis of the problem. Further, the
whole population could not be accessed by the researcher, which made the researcher to use a
representative sample. Thus, representative samples for the study were obtained from the
population using the stratified sampling technique, and grouped into strata for analysis. The data
obtained from the study was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively to give the desired
information about the population. The study established that some of the centres in this area did
not have good conditions in terms of availability of materials, ventilation in the classroom.
enough space and playing grounds, which may affect the learning ability of the children. The
conditions have an effect on the children's emotional, social as well as mental development.
which are important factors in the learning ability and performance of the child. Research has
often centred in the identification of problems and issues behind the poor performance in some
Early Childhood Centres of which in this study, the government was put on the spotlight by
neglecting some developments concerning the Early Childhood Centres in the country. This was
due to the reluctance in construction of enough classrooms and provision of adequate
instructional materials as well as failing to ensure that maintenance of facilities is done in early
childhood centres across the country. This research provided a crucial link between the
classroom physical conditions and the level of learning of pre-school children. It also created
grounds for recommendations to the relevant stakeholders in pre-schools to create, develop
and improve the physical conditions in the class room for a better learning environment.
Description
Department of Early Childhood Studies, 81p. 2015, LB 1139.23 .W3