INFLUENCE OF UTILIZATION OF IMPROVISED MATERIALS ON ACQUISITION OF NUMBER WORK SKILLS AMONG PRE-PRIMARY SCHOOL LEARNERS IN KIAMBU SUB-COUNTY, KIAMBU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Background Information: Use of instructional media resources plays an important role in enhancing learners’ acquisition of number work skills. However, in Kiambu Sub-county, acquisition of number work skills by pre-primary school learners is low with many not able to solve basic mathematics problems. Objective of the Study: The study sought to assess the influence of utilization of improvised materials on acquisition of number work skills among pre-primary school learners in Kiambu Sub-county, Kiambu County, Kenya. The study was guided by The Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning and Skills Acquisition Theory. Research Methodology: The study adopted mixed methodology and thus, applied concurrent triangulation research design. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically along the objectives and presented in narrative forms. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively using frequencies and percentages and inferentially using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Analysis in Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS 23) and presented using tables. Results and Findings: The study established that pre-primary school learners’ number work skills are below average owing to inadequate use of improvised materials. Conclusion and Recommendations: The study thus recommends that pre-primary school teachers should be made to understand that these are educational components which serve to enhance teaching concepts in number work. Pre-primary school teachers should be encouraged to adopt improvisation of number work materials. The Ministry of Education should enforce the usage of improvised materials to supplement supply of commercial teaching aids as a critical component of pedagogy in pre-primary schools.