Teachers’ Perception of the Impact of Educational Programmes on the Development of Children in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

This survey assessed the impact of early childhood educational programmes on the psychological, physiological, emotional, social and spiritual development of children in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The researchers employed simple random sampling method in selecting a sample of 120 teachers from Nursery/Primary Schools in Uyo Local Government Area for the survey. The instrument used in data collection was a simple questionnaire developed by the researchers to elicit data on how the educational programmes provided in the study area impacts on the development of the children. Questionnaire items covered the impact of available educational programmes on children’s cognitive, physical, emotional, social and, spiritual development. Obtained responses were analysed using descriptive quantitative statistics. The outcome of data analyses showed that that the educational programmes provided in the study area had a significant impact on the social, emotional, physical, cognitive and spiritual development of the children. The researchers therefore recommended, among other things, that improving upon the educational programmes of the children, at the early childhood level would be a promising intervention and could contribute to the optimum development of the child.

Keywords: Childhood education; Child development, Pre-primary education; Crèche, Child psychology