ABSTRACT
This study examined the influence of Orphanage homes on the Social and Cognitive Development of Children in Oredo Local Governmement Area of Edo State. For effect study, three research question were raised to guide the study; Question one and two were answered while question three was hypothesized .The sample was 100 Orphanage home children purposively selected from 4 Orphanage Homes in Oredo local Government Area. The mean and standard deviation were employed for data analysis. The findings of this study reveal that the orphanage homes influence the cognitive skills development of the child to a high degree, Most difficulties encountered by children in orphanage homes are restricted movement, lack of inadequate workers, clothing, freedom of choice, parental care, feeding, accommodation, and poor educational background. However, financial problem, child abuse, isolation from the society, child slavery, low self-esteem, emotional trauma, and discrimination were rated as the least difficulties encountered. There’s no significant difference in the Social and Cognitive skills development of children in the orphanage home In terms of sex. The instrument used for the study was validated by the researcher's supervisor and two other expert in the institute of Education University of Benin, Benin City. Appropriate corrections were made on the questionnaire by them and effected before it was used for the study The data collected were analysed using frequency counts, mean and deviation for the research questions and the hypothesis was tested using the independent sample t-Test of 0.05 level of significance. Based on the findings, recommendations were The Federal government through the concerned ministry should be more involved in the activities of the orphanage homes and providing the basic needs of the orphanage. Children's opinion and interest should be considered important in the day to day activities of the home . Finally, there is also a need to create a small family in orphanage homes with house parent , like Volunteer parents to serve as guardians to the orphans.
