Abstract
This study investigated the use of play as a learning strategy for skill development in early childhood education in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo state. The use of play in early childhood cannot be over emphasized. Four research questions were raised to guide the study. The objective of this study is to review the literature of play-based learning and its effectiveness for prompt skill development in young children, to identify the specific skills that can be developed through play-based learning, to examine the influence and effect of play on the skill on children, to pilot test the effectiveness of play-based learning strategies in early childhood education settings, and to develop guidelines and resources for educators and parents to implement play-based learning strategies in the classroom and at home. This study will provide relevant information that will be useful to the ministry of Education, teachers and proprietors in early childhood education. It will help early childhood educators use play as a learning strategy for skill development. The population of this study comprises of teachers and head teachers in all private primary school in Oredo local Government area, Edo state. A sample size of one hundred and twenty respondent was used for this study, the descriptive survey design was adopted for this study and the research instrument was a questionnaire was was used to gather vital information related to the purpose of study. Simple percentage and frequency count was used for data analysis. The findings of this study includes:
indicates that play contributes to the benefits of children and affects their cognitive skills,
There are various positive aspects of play, including its role in improving skills, social interaction, creativity, and problem-solving, Instructional materials play a crucial role in improving teaching and learning by creating engaging and effective learning environments for all types of learners, the early childhood environment is very important for play. It was recommended that, school prorietors should emphasize the importance of play in early childhood education, not just for cognitive development but for growth classroom management, social skills, creativity, problem-solving, and overall child development, there should be an opportunity for educators, parents and researchers to have open discussions about the role of play, the educational value of play materials should be highlighted and provide guidance on how to use them effectively to enhance skills, stress the importance of creating engaging and safe play areas that fosters learning and creativity, recognize the need for supervision during play to ensure safety and guidance, involve parents and the community in discussions and activities related to play-based learning, encourage on going research in play-based learning to refine our understanding and practices.
