Effects of feeding on class academic performance of preschool children: a case of Kiambu slum, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

The study sought to establish the effect of feeding on class academic performance of preschool children in Kiambiu Slum in Nairobi, Kenya. It aimed to investigate the effect of the frequency of meals eaten on academic performance of Preschool children, establish the effect of feeding on preschool children's participation in learning activities, determine how feeding influences preschool children's temperament in relation to their class academic performance and assess the effect of feeding and poverty on class academic performance of Preschool children in Kiambiu Slum.

The Justification of the study was based on the evidence of the number of preschool aged children who appeared weak, hungry and malnourished, seen in the evenings around Bum Bum shopping centre begging for money and food. This prompted the researcher to investigate and establish the effect of feeding on their class academic performance. The literature review covered the global, regional and local perspectives regarding the effects of feeding on class academic performance of preschool children.

The descriptive survey method was used as the research design. This method was chosen as it helps in achieving the stated objectives. It enables data collection where several respondents give answers to similar specific questions during the survey. ' The target population was the preschool children, their parents and teachers. A simple random sampling procedure was used. The sample population consisted of 75 preschool children, 75 preschool parents and 10 preschool teachers. Two sets of questionnaire, interviews schedule and observation were used as research instruments to collect data. The data was coded and analyzed using descriptive statistics and subsequently presented in form of tables, charts and graphs.

It emerged that inadequate feeding and frequency of meals eaten by a preschool child affects their class academic performance. It was also found out that there was a close relationship between' feeding, participation in class learning activities and class academic performance. It further emerged that insufficiency of food with proper and balanced diet nutrients lead to short concentration span and temperament tantrums by Preschool children. Further still it was revealed the level of poverty, income and ability of the preschool parents to provide enough food for their preschool children affected their class academic performance. The findings of this study will assist the stakeholders in education sector to work out strategies of launching school feeding programmes to enable the preschool children to access adequate feeding, to improve .on their class academic performance.