Influence of learner classroom activities on mathematics competency among preschool children in lower Yatta sub county, Kenya

Abstract

The study was designed to find out whether learner classroom activities have influence on developing mathematics competencies among the preschool children. This study is significant to learners because child classroom activities create an environment that is mathematically empowering and mediating the children’s experiences in the environment. This was done through the following three specific objectives; to observe classroom activities used towards developing mathematics competency, to investigate relationship between type of activity and children’s competency in mathematics, determine relationship between the duration of classroom activity and mathematics competency and to investigate the teachers’ perceptions on usefulness of learner activities towards mathematics competency. The study used two research instruments namely questionnaires and observation schedule. The questionnaire was used to collect data from children and preschool teachers. The observation schedule was used to get data regarding timing of lessons. A sample was used to represent the whole Lower Yatta District and data collected was coded and keyed in SPSS package version 20 for statistical analysis. The established that classroom activities had an influence on mathematics competence of preschool children’. The study also found that there was relationship between classroom activities and competency in mathematics. The duration of activities also did affect the children’ competence in mathematics. Teachers perceived mathematics as a logical and constructivist understanding.