EFFECT OF LEARNING RESOURCES ON PRELITERACY SKILLS DEVELOPMENT OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN IN JOS NORTH LGA, PLATEAU

Abstract

Using the correlational research design and a sample of nineteen (19) out of the twenty four (24) ECE centres that have Nursery Three classes, the study investigated the effect of learning resources on pre-literacy skills development of preschool children in Jos North LGA of Plateau State. Two different researchers developed check-lists – Indoor Pre-literacy Skills Development Resources Check-list (IPSDRC) and Outdoor Pre-literacy Skills Development Resources Checklist (OPSDRC) were used to collect data for the study from care-givers in the centres. Also, a 24- item tool known as Researchers' Observation Schedule (ROS) and a Preliteracy Skills Proficiency Test Tool (PSPTT) were also used to gather information from Nursery Three pupils in the ECE centres. IPSDRC, OPSDRC and ROS were personally administered by the researchers while two research assistants helped to administer the PSPTT. Simple percentages were used to analyse the data. Findings revealed that resources available in the ECE centres sampled were grossly inadequate, and even among the available resources, a large percentage were not functional. As a result of unavailability of learning resources, preschool children's performance rating in preliteracy skills was very poor. The researchers recommended among others that given the significance of learning resources in the development of pre-literacy skills in preschool children, the Plateau State UBEB should endeavour to equip all government owned ECE centres with sufficient and functional pre-literacy skills development resources.