Title: The Implementation Paradox: Deconstructing The Gap Between Teacher Awareness And Strategic Utilization Of Loose Parts For Executive Function Development Among Pre-Schoolers In Oyo State
Authors: ADEDIRAN, Aliu Adedayo (Ph.D), YUSUF, F. I, Janet Adenike SALAKO, POPOOLA Saidat Olusesan (Ph.D)
Volume: 10
Issue: 4
Pages: 8-15
Publication Date: 2026/04/28
Abstract:
Use of play materials is very important to optimal child development such that it has been recognized as right to every child as it gives them ample opportunity to learn the basic skills needed for immediate and later survival. Hence, when children engage in play activities with peers, they develop muscular, movement and cognitive skills. Premised on this, the government of Nigeria stipulated in the National Policy on Education (2004) that, most of the classroom activities which include the introduction of the rudiments of numbers, letters and shapes at the early years should be exposed to children through play-way method. Hence, the need for adequate provision of play materials and likewise the effective utilization among the preschool teachers becomes pertinent. The study employed descriptive survey research design. Five research questions were answered. 100 preschool teachers were randomly selected as sample. Two self-designed instruments (checklist/observation schedule and questionnaire) were used for data collection. The research instruments were validated and also tested for reliability using Cronbach alpha reliability technique. The reliability index of the questionnaire was calculated to be (?=0.82). Descriptive statistics (frequency count, simple percentage, mean and standard deviation) were used for data analysis. The findings of the study revealed that some of the required play materials at preschool level are available and the level of utilization of the play materials is fair, especially play materials for preschool children's enhanced creativity skills is available to a large extent in majority of the sampled schools (75.8%), preschool teachers to some extent utilize the available play materials (68%) and also, preschool teachers are aware of the basic requirements for play materials at the preschool level. It was recommended that more developmentally appropriate play materials be provided at preschools, the need for periodic training and re-training of preschool teachers on the appropriate use of available play materials is paramount, early childhood education stakeholders are to work harmoniously on the basic requirements for the provision of play materials at preschool and that proper and effective monitoring on the appropriate utilization of play materials should be emphasized by the government.