Influence Of Children’s Social Emotional Characteristics On School Readiness In Westlands District, Nairobi County.

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate the readiness for school in children that were transiting from the pre-school to lower primary level in Westlands zone. For the purposes of guiding this study four research questions were created. The target population of this research includedparents and head teachers from four pre-schools. The study was descriptive in nature. The data that was collected in this research was first coded and then presented graphically. The important role of the parents in the preparation of children for pre-school could not be ignored. The parents provided adequate care and nurtured the children towards the readiness for school. The research found out that effective educational programs and quality child care increased the readiness outcomes for a child. In addition, the improved healthcare and the quality of care impacted on the child outcomes significantly. The Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme plays a vital role in forming the character and laying the foundation for further education in children.Previous research has proved that the fastest growth in mental, physical and social emotional traits occurs during the age of 0-5 years. The findings of the research show that the pre-school readiness in children depends with the activities that children engage in the home environment. Parents have a role to play in preparing their children for school by giving them a balanced diet and training them to interact with adults and peers. The process helps them to adjust in their pre-school program. TheChildren Act (2001) provides strict guidelines that require parents to enhance holistic development of the children under their care. Failure to do that can lead to prosecution in a court of law. The study revealed that 28 (100%) teachers faced difficulties when relating to unprepared children before the commencement of their pre-school because the children could not express themselves properly and others refused to talk. The study recommended that parents and other stakeholders should emphasize on preparing their children for the school readiness.