Relevance of Social Studies Curriculum Content for Enhancing Responsibility among Preschool Children in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Relevance of preschool social studies curriculum content develops learners’ sense of belonging to the community and country for effective cohesiveness. Sense of belonging is achieved through inculcating right dispositions for reinforcing responsive, efficient and effective individuals in preparation for citizenship in adulthood. Nurturing sense of responsibility among learners creates skilled and informed individuals sensitive to social issues who effectively nurture cohesiveness as participants in a just society. The study was informed by evaluation research model using both quantitative and qualitative interpretative paradigms. The social constructivist theoretical framework informed the study in determining relevance of social studies curriculum content in enhancing the value of responsibility among preschool children in Nairobi County. Evaluating social studies curriculum content was drawn from ‘neighborhood, my school and healthy practices’ as key determinants of responsible citizens within a community. The target population was 98 preschool teachers purposely sampled from 211 preschools. Questionnaire for preschool teachers were used as the main data collection instrument. Quantitative data was summarized and organized according to research questions and arranged into themes for analysis. The findings indicated that social studies curriculum content is relevant in enhancing responsibility among preschool children. The study recommends that teachers should plan, design class environment and the social studies instruction in ways that cultivate effective civic practice of responsibility.