Factors Influencing Teachers’ Attitudes towards Language Material Selection, Development and Use in Early Childhood Education Program

Abstract

Research findings indicated that teacher attitudes are very vital in the teaching and learning process. There are real concerns raised by stakeholders regarding the teacher attitudes in implementation of the language curriculum in Early Childhood Development and Education programme with regard to development, selection and use of language materials. Factors influencing teacher attitudes towards development, selection and use of language materials need to be established. The study involved 68 ECDE teachers drawn from 115 ECDE centers in Gem District, Kenya selected by simple random sampling technique. It was based on descriptive survey design. Data was collected by attitude test questionnaires. The study found that age and teacher-pupil ratio had no influence on teacher attitudes, while gender, many years experience, high academic and professional qualifications had positive influence on teachers’ attitudes and vice versa towards language material selection, development and use in the early childhood development and education programme.