INDIGENOUS COOPERATIVE PLAY ON THE SOCIAL SKILLS OF PRESCHOOL PUPILS IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT :Social skills are very important for early childhood learners, especially in early childhood. We found that children’s social skills are at a low point because they are cut off from their cultural roots by foreign education laws. Despite this prospect, the literature in this area is severely lacking, making this research focus of paramount importance. This study therefore focuses on the impact of indigenous cooperative play on the social skills of preschoolers in Lagos State. The study employs a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test and control groups. This study used a 2x2x2 factor matrix consisting of two levels of teaching strategy (experimental and control groups), a self-esteem moderator variable (high and low), and two levels of cultural background (Yoruba and non-Yoruba). increase. (tribe). A random sample is taken to select 2 municipalities out of all 20 municipalities in Lagos State. Using targeted selection, two private elementary schools for both the experimental and control groups. The Student Social Skills Rating Scale, the Student Self-Esteem Rating Scale, the Indigenous Cooperative Play Strategy Teaching Guide, the Traditional Strategy Teaching Guide, and the Elementary School Teacher Training Guide were the instruments used in this study. The study lasted 6 weeks. Results indicate that students had a high level of social competence (WA = 2.74). We also found a significant main effect of treatment on social skills in elementary school students (F(1.24)=4.89; P<0.05; ɳ2=0.17). Children exposed to the control group had the lowest mean score (49.74). Using culture-based strategies is more effective than teacher-centered methods of educating children, so teachers should use indigenous cooperative play to teach children, especially when using languages from adjacent regions. It was also recommended that all educators should strive to enhance children’s self-esteem, especially through indigenous play styles.

KEYWORDS:Indigenous, cooperative play, preschool, pupils, social skills