INFLUENCE OF CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT ON THE LEARNING OF SOCIAL STUDIES IN PUBLIC PRE- PRIMARY SCHOOLS, IN UASIN GISHU COUNTY, KENYA. AWINJA NAOMI CRISPO E55/OL/27510/2013 A RESEARCH PROJECT REPORT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF EDUCATION IN (EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION) IN THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION OF KENYATTA UNIVERSITY NOVEMBER, 2020 DECLARATION I declare that this project is my original work and has not been presented in any university/ institution for consideration for any certification. This research proposal has been complemented by referenced sources duly acknowledged. Where text, data (including spoken words), graphics, pictures or tables have been borrowed research from other sources including; the internet, these are specifically accredited and references cited using current APA system and in accordance with anti-plagiarism regulations. Signature: …………………………………….. Date: …………………… Awinja Naomi Crispo E55/OL/27510/2013 Department of Early Childhood & Special Needs Education SUPERVISOR’S APPROVAL I confirm that the work reported in this project was carried out by the candidate under my supervision as a university supervisor Signature: …………………………………….. Date: …………………… Dr. Rachel W Kamau-Kang’ethe Department of Early Childhood and Special Needs Education ii DEDICATION I wish to dedicate this project work first and foremost to my husband Bishop Kisuli and children Moses Muithi, Faith Mutheu and Victory Uathimo who tirelessly encouraged me to continue and not to give up when tough moments occurred. My colleagues who gave me educational ideas towards the success of this research project work and to all who gave me any form of support, May God Bless ALL. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This research Project could not have been possible without the material and moral support from various people. My gratitude first goes to God who gave me the strength and courage to undertake this research project. I do acknowledge and appreciate the efforts put by my supervisor Dr. Rachel W. Kamau-Kang`ethe who worked tirelessly to ensure that I sail through this project work. I would not forget also to acknowledge the Department of Early Childhood Development Studies, Kenyatta University lecturers who impacted professionalism in my work. My thanks also go to all who gave in any form of support. iv ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ANPPCAN African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect ASSP African Social Studies Programmers CDE County Director of Education CSG Community Support Grant ECDE Early Childhood Development Education ICT Information Communication and Technology KIE Kenya Institute of Education MKO More Knowledgeable Others MOE Ministry of Education NCIC National Cohesion Integration Coalition NCSS National Council for the Social Studies UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization USA United States of America USAID United States Agency for International Development ZPD Zone of Proximal Development v TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION......................................................................................................... II DEDICATION........................................................................................................... III ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................... IV ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ................................................................... V TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................... VI LIST OF TABLE ...................................................................................................... IX LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................... X ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................... XI CHAPTER ONE .......................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY ................................. 1 1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Background of the Study ....................................................................................... 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem ....................................................................................... 5 1.3 Purpose of the Study .............................................................................................. 6 1.3.1 Objectives of the Study ..................................................................................... 6 1.3.2 Research Questions ........................................................................................... 7 1.4 Significance of the Study ....................................................................................... 7 1.5 Limitation and Delimitation of the Study .............................................................. 8 1.5.1 Limitations ........................................................................................................ 8 1.5.2 Delimitations ..................................................................................................... 8 1.6 Assumptions of the Study ...................................................................................... 9 1.7 Theoretical Framework .......................................................................................... 9 1.8 Conceptual Framework ........................................................................................ 12 1.9 Operational Definition of Terms .......................................................................... 13 CHAPTER TWO ....................................................................................................... 15 LITERATURE REVIEW ......................................................................................... 15 2.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 15 2.1 Overview Literature on the Meaning of Social Studies ....................................... 15 2.2 Influence of Classroom Setting on Learning Social Studies .................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. 2.3 Influence of Instructional Materials on Learning of Social Studies .................... 21 2.4 Influence of Teaching Methodologies on Learning of Social Studies ................. 24 vi 2.5 Summary of Reviewed Literature ........................................................................ 28 CHAPTER THREE ................................................................................................... 29 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY ................................................... 29 3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 29 3.2 Research Design................................................................................................... 29 3.2.1 Variables ......................................................................................................... 29 3.3 The Location of Study ......................................................................................... 30 3.4 The Target Population.......................................................................................... 30 3.5 Sampling Techniques and Sample Size ............................................................... 31 3.5.1 Sampling Technique ....................................................................................... 32 3.6 Research Instruments ........................................................................................... 33 3.6.1 Questionnaire .................................................................................................. 33 3.6.2 Interview Schedule.......................................................................................... 34 3.6.3 Observation Checklist ..................................................................................... 34 3.7 Piloting Study....................................................................................................... 35 3.7.1 Validity of the Research Instrument ............................................................... 35 3.7.2 Reliability of the Research Instruments .......................................................... 36 3.8 Data Collection Techniques ................................................................................. 36 3.9 Data Analysis ....................................................................................................... 37 3.10 Logistical and Ethical Consideration ................................................................. 37 CHAPTER FOUR ...................................................................................................... 39 DATA PRESENTATION, INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION ................ 39 4.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 39 4.2 Demographic Information of the Respondents .................................................... 39 4.3 First Objective:to Establish the Suitability of the Classroom Settings on Children’s Learning of Social Studies in Pre-Primary Schools ................................. 41 4.3.1 Effect Of Suitability of Classroom Learning of Social Studies .....................