An examination of children's behaviour problems in learning in early childhood education in rongo sub-county, migori county, Kenya.

Abstract

The study examined the behavior problems on learning in Early Childhood Education in Rongo Sub-County in Migori County, Kenya. Specifically, the study examined behavior problems which can be defined as persistence of an activity that is contrary to what is expected. The objectives of the study were: to find out behavior problems exhibited by learners in Early Childhood Education (ECE); and to find out how teachers manage behavior problems in ECE; to find out how behaviour problems influence learning in class, and to find out how we can involve parents on how to manage behavior problems at home. Descriptive research method was used with an aid of a detailed questionnaires and an interview guide to collect data from the respondents. Seventeen (17) schools were sampled randomly out of 56 registered Early Childhood Education Centers in Rongo Sub-County, purposive sampling was used to get the head teachers and teachers together with the parents within the sample schools, this study realized respondents of fifteen (15) head teachers, forty-six (46) teachers and thirty-nine (39) parents. Validity of the questionnaires was tested with help of the supervisory expertise from Rongo University. All pretesting procedure for validity of the instruments was based on coefficient of zero point seven nine (0.79) and was considered for use. The researcher used questionnaires to collect data from teachers and head-teachers and an interview guide for collecting information from parents. The respondents were treated with strict confidentiality and in addition the researcher ensured that the data collected was not falsified or misrepresented in any way. The data collected was summarized and analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The researcher discussed the findings, made conclusions and recommendations on the study. The researcher established that indeed there were several behaviour problems in Early Childhood Education Centers in Rongo Sub-County. At the same time, the researcher noted that there were several negative influences of behavior problems in learning. The researcher also established that the methods employed in managing the problems both at school and at home were not satisfactory. The researcher recommended that head-teachers, teachers, parents, caregivers and guardians should come up with a process that can make the behavior more acceptable. It is can be said that parents and other care givers should generate actions that can be used to isolate negative influences on the children behavior problem so that corrective measures can be realized. The researcher further recommends that teachers should be sensitized and trained to understand the most appropriate method to manage children behavior problem in Early Childhood Education Centers. In addition, the researcher recommended that the current practice of ensuring that two teachers be present in class during lessons be encouraged. This is because as one teaches the other teacher monitors behaviour or detects behavior problems for immediate correction. The researcher finally recommends that both teachers and parents should generate pro-active methods of managing behavior problems so that learning can be enhanced in Early Childhood Education Centers within Rongo Sub-County Migori County Kenya.