CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE COUNSELLING AND BEHAVIOURAL OUTCOMES OF MINORITY CHILDREN IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IN OYUN, KWARA STATE

Abstract

Culturally responsive counselling in early childhood education plays a crucial role in fostering a sense of belonging and self-esteem among young children, particularly those from minority backgrounds. One of the objectives of the National Policy for Integrated Early Childhood Development (IECD) is to reduce inequalities by reaching vulnerable and disadvantaged children. This study, therefore, assessed the extent to which culturally responsive counselling influences the behavioural outcomes of minority children in early childhood education settings within Oyun Local Government Area, Kwara State. A descriptive survey research design was used. The sample size for the study consisted of 150 participants, comprising 75 parents and 75 teachers. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used. To ensure that each category was equally represented, the schools were stratified into public and private. From each stratum, a simple random sampling technique was used to select 15 (8 public and 7 private schools, with a total number of 150 respondents selected. The purposive sampling technique was used to select the teachers based on gender and qualifications to ascertain that caregivers of the same qualifications were selected for this study. The two instruments used were “Perceptions of Parents and Teachers of Culturally Responsive Counselling (PPTCRC)” and “Culturally Responsive Counselling Practices on Behavioural Outcomes (CRCPBO)”. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Demographic data were summarised using frequency count and percentages, while linear regression analysis was employed to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed a significant influence of culturally responsive counselling on behavioural outcomes among minority children (F (1,149) = 9453.442, P < 0.05).) Specifically, children whose parents and teachers engaged in culturally sensitive counselling strategies exhibited better social adjustment and reduced behavioral challenges. The study recommends the integration of culturally responsive counselling frameworks into early childhood education programs, ongoing training for educators and counselors on cultural competence, active parental involvement, and policy support to enhance minority children's educational experiences and outcomes.