Utilization of Play Facilities and Development of Social Skills among Pre-Primary School Pupils

Utilization of Play Facilities and Development of Social Skills among Pre-Primary School Pupils

Abstract 

This study was conducted to investigate the utilization of play facilities and development of social skills among pre-primary school pupils in Ukanafun Local Government Area. Two null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The population of the study consisted of one hundred and twenty three teachers. Simple random sampling technique was used to select one hundred respondents.

A structured questionnaire titled, Utilization of play facilities and development of social skills questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection. The data collected were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The findings revealed that utilization of play facilities has a significant relationship with the development of competitive skills among pre-primary school pupils.

Equally, play materials utilization relate remarkably with the cooperative behaviour of pre-primary school pupils in Ukanafun Local Government Area. Based on the results of the statistical analysis, the null hypotheses were rejected. It was therefore recommended among others that toys, picture books, merry-go-round, spacious playground and other play facilities should be provided in pre-primary schools for use to help in boosting the social development of pupils.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background to the Study

The ultimate goal of the teaching learning process is to impact knowledge to the learners, thereby bringing about a change in their behaviour as a result of instruction given. This goal will be an illusion in the absence of play facilities since they play an important role in enhancing the development of social skills among pupils (Edem, 2006). Moreover, there is no gain say in the fact that play facilities are necessary ingredients which can be used in the development of social skills.

Also, it is not an over statement to say that, the development of social skills depend on the availability and effective utilization of play facilities which in no small way help to arouse and sustain social skills among pupils (Edem, 2006). In view of these significant roles of play facilities in the educational system, it is disheartening to note that the state of play facilities in our pre-primary schools is nothing to write home about.

Inadequate playground, absence of play materials like toys, merry-go-round, building blocks etc have become a recurring feature in our school system. This does not augur well for the development of social skills among pupils. The adverse effects of this ugly situation are numerous and may have a resultant effect on the pupils thereby dwindle their social skills development. Equally, Ogbodo (2008) perceived play facilities as an essential tool designed to facilitate and stimulate the development of social skills.

The author argued that the quality and availability of these educational resources within an educational system have a positive relationship with the development of social skills. This is incontestable since play facilities are directly related to achieving academic excellence. To genuinely actualize the objectives of pre-primary education in Federal Republic of Nigeria (2013), as stated in the National Policy on Education, something needs to be done in the right direction to improve on the dilapidated nature of play facilities in our schools.

It is therefore hoped that the assessment of the impact posed by play facilities will contribute significantly in this respect. This research is therefore carried out as part of the attempts to find out whether availability and effective utilization of play facilities relate significantly to the development of social skills among pre-primary school pupils.

Utilization of Play Facilities and Development of Social Skills among Pre-Primary School Pupils

1.2   Statement of the Problem

Over the years, there has been a lot of concern about the development of social skills among pre-primary school pupils by citizens of our society. However, many stakeholders in the education sector have been viewing with serious concern about pupils’ development of social skills. The root cause of poor social skills development according to Ogbodo (2008) could be traced to poor upbringing by parents, lack of respect for elders or constituted authorities among others.

There is no doubt therefore that apart from the aforementioned factors ineffective utilization of play facilities could influence the development of social skills among pre-primary school pupils. It is as a result of the above reasons that the researcher is motivated to conduct a study on utilization of play facilities and development of social skills among pre-primary school pupils in Ukanafun Local Government Area.

1.3   Purpose of the Study

The general purpose of this study was to examine the utilization of play facilities and development of social skills among pre-primary school pupils in Ukanafun Local Government Area. Specifically, the study sought to:

1. Examine if there is any significant relationship between utilization of play facilities and the development of competitive skill among pre-primary school pupils.
2. Ascertain the relationship between play materials utilization and the development of cooperative behaviour among pre-primary school pupils.

1.4   Significance of the Study

The study will be significant in the following ways:

–       The study will reveal if availability and effective utilization of play facilities contribute to the development of social skills among pre-primary school pupils.

–       It will keep all the stakeholders in the education sector informed on the positive influence of play facilities on the development of social skills. This will make them to make available for usage and encourage the use of these facilities in schools.

–       The study will also enable government to help in boosting pre-primary education through the furnishing of schools with suitable facilities, recruitment and motivation of teachers to stimulate their interest in the job.

–       Finally, the study will help the general public and prospective researchers that may wish to conduct research on this or related topics.

1.5   Research Questions

 The following research questions were formulated to guide the study:

1. What is the relationship between utilization of play facilities and the development of competitive skills among pre-primary school pupils?
2. How does play materials utilization relate with the development of cooperative behaviour among pre-primary school pupils?

1.6   Research Hypotheses

The following research hypotheses were formulated to guide the study:

1. There is no significant relationship between utilization of play facilities and the development of competitive skills among pre-primary school pupils.
2. There is no significant relationship between play materials utilization and development of cooperative behaviour among pre-primary school pupils.

1.7   Limitations of the Study

In the course of the study, the researcher faced certain challenges which threatened the success of the investigation. These were:

1. Inadequate funds: The lean financial resources at the disposal of the researcher affected the execution of the study to wider extent.
2. Time frame: The time allocated for the completion of the project was too short and this posed a serious stress on the researcher.

iii.    Inadequate research materials: research materials for the review of related literature regarding the topic were grossly inadequate and this affected the timely completion of the research work.

1.8   Delimitation of the Study

The study was delimited to utilization of play facilities and development of social skills among pre-primary school pupils in Ukanafun Local Government Area and did not extend beyond the scope to other Local Government Areas and schools.

1.9   Definition of Terms

Play facilities: These are those materials which enable children develop physical coordination strength, flexibility, as well as providing recreation and enjoyment. They are also equipment intended for use in the play areas of schools, park etc. They include; play ground, merry-go-round, sand trays, toys, picture books, building blocks etc.

Social Skills: These are the skills we use to communicate and interact with each other both verbally and non-verbally through gesture, body language and our personal appearance e.g. assisting the teachers, avoiding conflict with adults.

Competitive skills: These are skills that are acquired through competition.

Cooperative behaviour: This is the interaction of two or more persons or organization directed towards a common goal which is mutually beneficial.