Effects of Child Development Centre Programmes on Social-Emotional Development of Preschoolers in Kajiado North Sub-County, Kajiado County
Keywords:
Child Development Centre Programmes, Social-Emotional Development, PreschoolersAbstract
This paper examined the effects of child development centers on the social-emotional development of preschoolers in Kenya, focusing on Deliverance Church Ngong and African Inland Church Ngong Centres Kajiado North Sub-County. The results emphasized the importance of child development centers' practices in promoting children's social-emotional development. Considering the study focused on children's social-emotional development, the findings will help program caregivers to their sensitive and available supportive role in establishing attachment and the following skill set. While there is evidence of the critical role of the Children Development Centre in a child's life, there is little scholarly work undertaken, and hence research gap which the present study seeks to fill. The study used a descriptive research design and a target population of 152 comprising center employees, parents, government officials, and child development experts. Both quantitative and qualitative were analyzed. The findings show that sports, arts, and dancing programs allow preschoolers to engage with others. According to the study findings, children need intellectual skills, motivational qualities, and socio-emotional skills to succeed in school. Another notable result shows that 39% (of whom) stated that there were unsafe areas within the community. 11% of the children feel part of the larger groups who do things together. However, some respondents report that many preschoolers are not socially or emotionally prepared for the challenges of the new environment. The study concludes that the inclusion of free play time at school can help children’s development. Offering time for free play means providing resources for children to test skills, exercise, expand their domains, and acquire different types of knowledge. The study concludes that preschoolers who receive a good night's sleep most of the time tend to use gentle hands and kind words and positively interact with peers most of the time. This study recommends that there is a need for parents, teachers, or caregivers to organize events that promote children’s social and emotional health.
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