EXTENT OF UTILIZATION OF PLAY METHOD OF TEACHING IN PRE-PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN AWKA EDUCATION ZONE

Abstract

This study focused on the Extent of Utilization of the Play Method of Teaching in Pre- Primary Schools in the Awka Educational Zone of Anambra State. The work particularly stressed the availability and utilization of material resources; that is, instructional materials otherwise called teaching aids and the use of the play method of teaching. Four research questions and four null hypotheses were formulated. A descriptive survey design was employed. A developed questionnaire was used for data collection. The targeted population for the study consisted of thirty-two (32) head teachers and one hundred and sixty (160) teachers in Awka Education Zone, and this number (total of 192) was selected through stratified random sampling. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using percentages and mean/standard deviation. Z-test was employed in testing the formulated null hypotheses. The results indicate that instructional materials needed in carrying out the play teaching methods in Pre-Schools are not readily available. Due to a lack of instructional materials, both utilization and effectiveness were hindered. Hence teachers with the necessary skills and expertise in the use of the play method of teaching were limited in their performance. Some educational implication of the findings was discussed, and some recommendations were proposed for the Government, such as providing enough requisite instructional materials for the teachers.