ABSTRACT
This research work sought to investigate teacher's perspective on the Impacts of Play on the Social Development of Preschool children in Oredo Local Government Area,Edo State.In order to effectively carry out this study ,Four (4) research questions were established.The study adopted the descriptive survey research design and the population of the study consist of some selected pre-primary school teacher in Oredo Local Government Area.A sample size of 50 teachers was used for the study drawn from 5 pre primary school in Oredo Local Government Area.
The research Instrument was a questionnaire which was validated but reliability was not ascertained.The datawere analyzed using mean and standard deviation .A criterion mean of 2.50 was used for the acceptance of the items.The findings that emereged revealed that teacher believed that Play promotes team work amongst pre School children, encourages and facilitates social interaction and turn taking amongst children, influences children's behaviors such as respect for elders and other children,and also increases children's ability to co-operate and share during playtime with other children. Play is essential to young children's education and should no be abruptly minimized and segregated from learning.play has long been a dominants feature of early childhood teaching pedagogy. Play with peers helps the child learn how to be part of a group ad playtime in schools such as recess time allows learning and practicing of basic social skills.teacher's were of the view that playtime with peers help develop children's vocabulary and language skills,it helps them learn about the world around them,children imagination and creativity are hightened,also during play children learn and display emotions such as happiness, sadness,worry and joy.The child can walk,run,climb,communicate in speech and gestures and uses two hands in complex coordinate actions.The ability of the child to act on the world affect all other aspects of development and new accomplishment brings the child to an increasing degree of Independence.Play helps in the holistic development of the child,It was also revealed that play strategy help children learn to develop self-confidence and control,it helps children express their feelings and reactions, through play children develop resilience and also play helps children develop positive self-esteem. play can be a stress -relieving activity for children allowing them to relax, unwind and recharge. Engaging in play activities helps children release pent-up energy , reduce anxiety,and promote a sense of calm and relaxation,which are important for their emotional health.play is a powerful tool for promoting children's emotional development by providing them with opportunities to express themselves,build social skills, develop self-confidence,regulate their emotions,nuture their creativity and relieve stress.By incorporating play into children's daily routine, parents and caregivers can support their emotional well-being an help them develop unit resilient, confidence and emotional intelligent individuals. Play is not just fun and enjoyable activity for children.Base on the Findings,it was recommended that Teacher's should provide Children with play facilities and should include those facilities into learning and not just books or cartoon and movies,as it is a common scene in some schools.Teachers should ensure that Children have adequate play equipment,that are colorful and interest the child. Teacher's should decorate classroom with colorful print and letters and not just mere walls and furnitures.
