INFLUENCE OF STATUS OF PLAYGROUND ON THE PARTICIPATION OF PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES

International Journal of Research and Innovation in ed Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume IV, Issue X, October 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

INFLUENCE OF STATUS OF PLAYGROUND ON THE PARTICIPATION OF PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES 

ithinji Mary Wambui
(Department of Early Childhood Studies, Kenyatta University)

Corresponding Author

Dr. Juliet W. Mugo
(Department of Early Childhood Studies, Kenyatta University)

ABSTRACT
The main aim of thisstudy was to establish the influence of condition of playground on the participation of pre-school children in physical education (PE) activities in Kasarani Sub-county, Nairobi City County, Kenya.Bandura’s Social Learning Theory of (1977) guided the descriptive design study and specifically used the survey method. Out of the 50 targeted pre-schools, 15 (30%) of them and 30 (30%) out of 100 teachers formed the sample size. Questionnaires as well as observation checklists were employed to collect data, and piloting conducted in four randomly selected pre-schools, to determine the soundness of the research instruments. Data was analyzed descriptively and also by use of correlations. Findings show that the playground status of most of the preschools in Kasarani Sub-county of Nairobi was inferior and characterized by poor fencing and presence of unsafe materials. The study findings further revealed that most of the respondents rated the adequacy of playground equipment as medium, especially due to the fact that large equipment were not present in most of the preschools. The researcher’s rating from observations made practically also concurred that the status of the playground equipment was medium, since even in schools where equipment were present, some were not functional while others were in deplorable condition. The study thus concluded that the condition of playgrounds in most preschools in Kasaraniwas generally poor hence leading to low participation of preschool children in P.E. Despite the fact that inferential results show that there is no significance between the condition of the playground and children’s participation in P.E, the study recommended that playgroundsmust be safe because they serve to improve children’ holistic growth, development and learning. Hence the Ministry of Education, preschool proprietors, managers, administrators, teachers, parents and other pre-school stakeholders should be tasked to ensure the playground surfaces are safe for children’s use always, in order to minimize injuries while at the same time increasing participation in physical education activities in the outdoor pre-school environs.

Key Words: Status of Playground, Participation, Pre-School Children in Physical Education Activities

1.0 Introduction
Physical education is an important learning activity and involves outdoor play meant to enhance development of pupil’s motor skills, good physical health and also relieving stress (Gulhane, 2015). In pre-school, children engage in both free and directed playactivities where children get to choose what they would want to engage in but also those that the teacher strictly guides on how they should be

Read More