Abstract:
This study sought to find out the effects of Early Childhood Education on children with hearing
impairment (HI). Vigotsky's theory of cognitive development guided the study. Descriptive
survey method was used. Target population included children with HI between ages 3-6 years
and their parents, teachers, head teachers all from special schools in selected districts. Purposive
sampling was used to select schools, classes, children, teachers and head teachers while
convenience sampling was used to select parents. Interview schedules were used for head
teachers, pre-primary teachers and for parents. The instruments were pre-tested for validity and
reliability. Split-half technique was used to assess the instruments’ reliability while validity was
determined after it was read through with the representative respondents. Findings revealed that
teachers played their role effectively but delays by parents in enrolling their children for ECDE
during the required early child years curtailed adequate effect of ECDE on children with HI.
