The University of Dodoma University of Dodoma Institutional Repository http://repository.udom.ac.tz Social Sciences Master Dissertations 2018 þÿInfluence of parents literacy level and awareness on their participation on early childhood development in Tanzania: a case study of care centers in Bariadi district Mongai, Jumanne The University of Dodoma þÿMongai, J. (2018). Influence of parents literacy level and awareness on their participation on early childhood development in Tanzania: a case study of care centers in Bariadi district. Dodoma: The University of Dodoma. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12661/1761 Downloaded from UDOM Institutional Repository at The University of Dodoma, an open access institutional repository. INFLUENCE OF PARENTS’ LITERACY LEVEL AND AWARENESS ON THEIR PARTICIPATION ON EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT IN TANZANIA: A CASE STUDY OF CARE CENTERS IN BARIADI DISTRICT JUMANNE MONGAI MASTER’S OF ARTS IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES THE UNIVERSITY OF DODOMA OCTOBER, 2018 INFLUENCE OF PARENTS’ LITERACY LEVEL AND AWARENESS ON THEIR PARTICIPATION ON EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT IN TANZANIA: A CASE STUDY OF CARE CENTERS IN BARIADI DISTRICT BY JUMANNE MONGAI A DISSERTATION SUBMMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENTS OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A DEGREE OF MASTER‟S OF ARTS IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES THE UNIVERSITY OF DODOMA OCTOBER, 2018 DECLARATION AND COPYRIGHT I, Jumanne Mongai declare that, this dissertation is my original work and that it has not been presented and will not be presented to any other University, for a similar or any other degree award. Signature ………………………. No part of this dissertation may be produced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the author or the University of Dodoma. If transformed for publication in any other format shall be acknowledged that, this work has been submitted for degree award at the University of Dodoma”. i CERTIFICATION The undersigned certifies that, he has read and hereby recommends for acceptance by the University of Dodoma dissertation entitled “Influence of Literacy Level and Awareness on Parents’ Participation on Early Childhood Development in Tanzania: A Case Study of Care Centers in Bariadi District” in a partial fulfillments of the requirements for a degree of Master‟s of Art, in Development Studies at the University of Dodoma. …………………………………………………….. Dr. Victor George (Supervisor) Date: …………………………………………………… ii ACKOWLEDGEMENT My sincere special gratitude goes to the Almighty God for making it possible for me to undertake this course and for keeping me, in good health and made everything possible throughout my studies at the University of Dodoma for two years. The accomplishment of this research dissertation is indebted to many individuals who gave me advice, encouragements, assistance and guidance through inspiration. Deep appreciation goes to my supervisor Dr. Victor George whose guidance and support encouraged me to this great result. He has been consistent and constructively challenging all the time when advancing during carrying out my dissertation. I am also deeply indebted to my Father Mr. Mongai Hangaya Gamaya and my mother Rahel Dilla Gomolo for their support, advice, prayers and love, likewise to my family, my wife Winifrida Stephano and our sons Goodluck, Tumaini and Gift as well as our daughters Janeth and Jenipher who missed me during the whole time of writing this dissertation. I feel much indebted to the University of Dodoma and Academic staff in the School of Social Sciences Studies, who taught me different courses; specifically Prof. Mwamfupe, Prof. Tenge and Dr. Ngowi taught me Research Methodology and Statistical Research Methods. I appreciate the assistance from my fellow postgraduate Master‟s of Art in Development Studies students. Lastly, I thank, DED Itilima for granting me the study leave. However, it should be noted that, any shortcomings on this research are entirely belong to me. iii DEDICATION Dedicated to the late Biera for love. iv ABSTRACT This study, has investigated the extent to which parents‟ participation at care centers provide a supportive learning environment, to an early childhood development specific less than four years children. The investigation has focused on literacy level and awareness of parents on providing support to their children at care centers. The study was conducted in Bariadi District, Simiyu Region. The sample of the study involved 30 respondents; others were key informants; 2 MEOs, 1 DPEO, 2 Care givers managers and 2 WEOs. It adopted a case study design by using the qualitative approach to explore experiences of parents‟ participation to identify the extent parents‟ literacy levels and awareness influence their collaboration with ECDC centres personnel and teachers. The instruments used were interviews, observations and documentary review. The study has established that, most of these Parents and Care givers do not have enough knowledge about an early childhood development because their variations between education levels differentiate them, from one level to another. The study has employed Family System Theory from Bowen. An overall, the study findings have revealed that, the lower levels parents were most affected group when compared to the medium and high levels. Apart from that, respondents accepted the importance of ECDCC through education related to ECD. Children less than four years of ages are still suffering from inadequate parents supports at home as well as at care center. In the light of the findings, the Government, and other Stakeholders have to support parents‟ through early childhood education and the care centers to be introduced at every government pre and primary school. Furthermore, parents should be involved fully by the government in matters relating to their children‟s ECD and care givers should be exposed to training which will equip them with the necessary skills. v TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION AND COPYRIGHT .......................................................................... i CERTIFICATION ........................................................................................................ ii ACKOWLEDGEMENT .............................................................................................. iii DEDICATION ............................................................................................................. iv ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................v TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................. vi LIST OF TABLES .........................................................................................................x LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................... xi LIST OF PLATES ...................................................................................................... xii LIST OF APPENDICES ............................................................................................ xiii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................... xiv CHAPTER ONE ..........................................................................................................1 INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................1 1.1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................1 1.2 Background of the study ..........................................................................................1 1.3 Statement of the problem .........................................................................................8 1.4 Research Objectives ...............................................................................................10 1.4.1 General Objective................................................................................................10 1.4.2 Specific Objectives..............................................................................................10 1.4.3 Research Questions .............................................................................................10 1.5 Significance of the study ........................................................................................10 1.6 Delimitation of the Study .......................................................................................11 1.7 Limitations of the Study .........................................................................................11 1.8 Chapter Summary...................................................................................................12 CHAPTER TWO .......................................................................................................13 LITERATURE REVIEW.............................................................................................13 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................13 2.2 Definition of Key Terms ........................................................................................13 2.2.1 Child Development .............................................................................................13 2.2.2 Early Childhood ..................................................................................................14 vi 2.2.3 Parents‟