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

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.