Authors: Beatrice Binah Mokaya and Boniface Njuguna Mwangi
Corresponding Email: bkahuthu@gmail.com
Abstract
In Kenya, pre-school playground safety has not been given much attention despite being a critical area of concern in child growth and development. This state can be linked to lack of resources, perceived low priority and negative attitude about children’s play or deferral of the activity. The main purpose of the study was to examine influence of playground safety on pre-school children participation in outdoor activities in Ekerenyo division, in Nyamira County. The study specifically aimed at establishing the influence of playground location, investigate the influence of status of the playground and assess the influence of playing equipment conditions on pre-school children participation in outdoor activities in Ekerenyo division, in Nyamira County. The study adopted descriptive survey and correlational research designs. The study targeted 150 preschool teachers, and through census sampling technique all the 150 teachers were sampled. However, 137 preschool teachers filled and returned the questionnaires. Analyzed data was presented in frequencies and percentages and summarized in tables and figures. The study three independent variables contributed 46.2 % of the variance in learners’ participation in creative activities (R2 = 0.462). Condition of the school plat ground equipment had the most significant influence on pre-school children participation in outdoor activities in Ekerenyo division (β = 0.870, t = 4.46, p < 0.05), followed by the status of the playground (β = 0.720, t = 2.187, p < 0.05), while location of the pay ground had the least influence (β = 0.640, t = 2.11, p < 0.05). The study recommended that the school community should ensure that the bushes around the playground are cleared and the risky areas such as swamps are restricted from children reach. The findings of this study may contribute much knowledge in the field of education and more especially on pre-school children safety at the playground in Kenya.
Key Words: Preschool children, Preschool playground safety, Participation in outdoor activities
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Suggested Citation
Mokaya, B., B. and Mwangi, B., N. (2020). Influence of School Playground Safety on Pre-School Children Participation in Outdoor Activities in Ekerenyo Division, Nyamira County, Kenya African Research Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 7(1), 2020. Available online at http://arjess.org/education-research/influence-of-school-playground-safety-on-pre-school-children-participation-in-outdoor-activities-in-ekerenyo-division-nyamira-county-kenya.pdf
