Influence of Reflective Supervision Approaches on Effectiveness of Language Activities in Early Childhood Education in Nyakach Sub-county, Kenya

Abstract

The 21st century teacher is faced with myriad new demands and complex challenges pertaining to professional and organizational development in the education community globally which beckon for a critical reflection by teachers about their daily practices in the classroom. Reflection is an integral part of the teaching-learning process and it aids in exploration of experiences in one‟s own teaching strategies to develop awareness and change for professional competency and intellectual growth; and academic skills improvement. This study sought to find out the influence of reflective supervision approaches on effectiveness of language activities in early years of education in Nyakach Sub-County, Kenya. The specific study objectives were: to determine the extent to which reflective approach influence language activities effectiveness, to examine the extent to which consultative approach influence language activities effectiveness, to assess the extent to which collaborative approach influence language activities effectiveness and to establish the extent to which regularity of interactive approach influence language activities effectiveness in early years of education in Nyakach Sub-County. The study was anchored on Kolb‟s (1984) Experiential Learning Model and Constructivism Theory by John Dewey (1933). The study adopted descriptive survey research design in collecting data from respondents. The study targeted 135 preprimary centers. Stratified, purposive and simple random sampling techniques were employed to obtain a sample size of 56 study respondents consisting of 14 head teachers and 42 preschool teachers. The instruments of data collection were questionnaires and interview schedules. Validity of the instruments were determined by the expert views and judgment of the supervisors and reliability of same were assessed appropriately. Descriptive statistics and inferential analysis of Pearson correlation and linear regression were used to analyze quantitative data through Statistical Package of Social Sciences and presented in accordance with the variables and themes of the study. The study was an important source of information to policymakers and educators who sought to stimulate ways to utilize reflective supervision approaches in achieving quality education for children. The study filled the gap in research and thus added to the existing body of knowledge on the reflective supervision approaches; and formed a basis for further research leading to generation of new pragmatic ideas and paradigm shift in teaching and learning languages in education system