PRESCHOOL TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON LEARNING CENTERS IN DEVELOPING SOCIALAND COGNITIVE SKILLS AMONG CHILDREN

Abstract

The study examined preschool teachers' perceptions regarding learning centres and  their impact on developing social and cognitive skills in children within Ogun State.  Three research questions guided the study. A descriptive survey design was adopted.  The population of the study comprised preschool school teachers in Ogun State.  Using simple random sampling technique, Ogun East Senatorial District was  selected as reference point where the study was conducted. Proportionate sampling  technique was used for selecting fifty preschool teachers each from the nine local  government areas of Ogun East making a total of 450 preschool teachers as sample  size. The study used researcher developed questionnaire tagged: 'Learning Centres,  Social and Cognitive Skills Questionnaire (LCSCSQ)'with 0.89 as reliability  coefficient. Frequency count, percentage and descriptive statistics were adopted for  presenting and analyzing research questions. The findings of the study revealed that  preschool teachers perceived learning centres has the ability to improved school  children social and cognitive skills by providing children opportunity to collaborate  and practice the skills learned during teaching. Recommendations included urging  the government and private sectors to furnish public preschools in Ogun State with  well-equipped learning centres to support effective teaching and learning.