PHONICS AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT OF PRESCHOOLERS IN RIVERS EAST SENATORIAL DISTRICT, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated phonics and language development of preschoolers in Rivers East Senatorial District. A pre-test post-test control group quasi-experimental research design was used. Two research questions and two corresponding hypotheses guided the study. The population of the study was 2,399 preschoolers. The sample of the study consisted of 90 preschoolers randomly selected and assigned to experimental and control groups. The sample was selected using simple random sampling technique and purposive sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was the researcher-designed observation checklist which was validated. The instrument had a reliability coefficient of 0.67. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation (SD) and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The findings of the study showed that the experimental group who were taught using the synthetic phonics and analytical instructional strategies performed better than those taught with the conventional method. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations were made which include that teachers should be trained on the  use of the synthetic phonics method which is among the current trends in helping children begin to read and write quite early.