The Availability of Instructional Materials/Resources Teachers Use To Enhance Teaching of Reading in Early Childhood Classes in Dagoretti and Westlands Divisions, Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Scholars have tried valiantly inventing many teaching methods for the children, in the hope that all children could be taught to read. This study sought to determine the availability of instructional materials/resources teachers use to enhance teaching of reading in early childhood classes. The study adopted the descriptive research design using the survey method and observation technique. Semi-structured interviews were used as the main method of collecting data from 20 class three teachers, 20 Heads of English Department. A sample of 10 primary schools from Dagoretti and 10 from Westlands’ Divisions in Nairobi County was studied. The study found that majority of pre-unit teachers and class three teachers used the “Sound and Read” book while the “Picture Book” was used by a few of pre-unit teachers with the same number of class three teachers. The “Read and Write” book is used by also few of the pre-unit teachers and class three teachers, and in which case the findings were similar with another book “Lets Learn”. The study concluded that sound and read book was the most used book in pre-unit and lower classes levels. The book was mostly used because it is adequate. Other frequently used resources by teachers are flashcards, plasticine, pictures and real objects, wall charts, course books and rhymes. Provision and availability of reading/learning materials is the most recognized solution to the reading problems. The study recommends that there is need for the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to ensure that reading/learning materials are adequately provided and are available in pre-unit and lower primary class three levels. The study also recommends that awareness should be created to sensitize parents on the need to work closely with the teachers especially during the early years of learning when children are introduced to this crucial lifelong skill of reading. Materials for play and learning should be developed to be used both in school and at home to enhance reading. Furthermore, at this time and age it is necessary to integrate ICT in early childhood learning institutions to enhance learning.