Title: Managing children learning: support-based screening procedure for motor, cognition and language communication in early childhood education

Authors: Teinye Briggs; Nwachukwu Prince Ololube; Peter James Kpolovie

Addresses: Department of Teacher Education, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 9 (Siltavuorenpenger 5), FI-00014, Finland ' Department of Educational Foundations and Management, Faculty of Education, University of Education, P.M.B. 5047, Port Harcourt, Nigeria ' Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B. 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract: Support-based screening procedures (SBSP) for motor, cognition and language communication in early childhood education (ECE) are aimed at identifying general developmental problems in children. The difficulties associated within carrying out screening procedures in developing and developed societies are very different, as are the methods for selecting appropriate SBSP for preschool children in these two contexts. This study gathered data using Kochung's (2000) questionnaire on SBSP, however, it was modified to suit the present research framework. To satisfy this investigation, a number of statistical analyses were conducted: descriptive statistics (percentages, mean point value, standard deviation), chi square and one-way-analysis of variance (ANOVA). This study confirmed that children from rural areas need more support than children in the urban areas and that the achievement levels of children depend on the educational level and occupational status of parents and number of siblings. The study further revealed the validity and reliability of the use of SBSP when assessing children's support needs and general developmental problems. This study recommends that children be screened in the preschool years so as to detect any developmental problems and enable early intervention.

Keywords: education policy; support-based screening; motor skills; cognition; language communication; preschool children; management in education; Nigeria; child learning; early childhood; preschool education; developmental problems; child development; early intervention; rural areas; urban areas; educational level; parental occupation; siblings.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2014.060234

International Journal of Management in Education, 2014 Vol.8 No.2, pp.168 - 193

Published online: 31 May 2014 *

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