The Contribution Of Drawing In Enhancing Young Children’s Communication In Pre-Primary Education In Tanzania

ABSTRACT 

This study explored the contribution of drawing in enhancing young children‟s communication in Pre-primary education in Tanzania. The study was conducted in six public primary schools in Dodoma Municipality involving a total number of 63 participants composed of 14 teachers (one male and 13 female), 13 parents (three male and 10 females) and 36 pre-primary school children (18 boys and 18 girls). The study employed three sampling techniques; purposive sampling to obtain pre-primary school teachers, snowballing for parents and simple random sampling to obtain preprimary scholars. Furthermore, the study employed a phenomenological study design through qualitative approach where semi-structured interview, observation and documentary analysis were involved in data collection. The data were analysed based on themes and resulted into the emergence of different sub-themes. Data obtained through semi-structured interviews, participant observation and documentary review provided an opportunity to understand that both learners and teachers in pre-primary class use drawing as a strategy in facilitating learning to be engaging and active. The study findings reveal as well that drawing is the best medium of enhancing young children‟s communication and learning. The study found that, drawing develops the young learners holistically. Importantly, the study noted that teachers have a paramount role in enhancing young children‟s communication through drawing. Despite the teachers‟ role in enhancing young children‟s communication, factors such as lack of drawing materials and lack of training in teaching in pre-primary classes were reported to be hindrances in effective use of drawing in enhancement of young children communication and learning. The study concludes that drawing is an effective means of enhancing young children‟s communication skills and interaction in pre-primary classes. However, parents and teachers are to be empowered on the value and use of drawing in young children‟s development and learning. In addition, the government should invest in pre-primary education by providing training to pre-primary school teachers and employ professional teachers to teach in pre-primary classes. Lastly, it is recommended that more research(s) be done in the area of drawing in pre-primary education as it seems to be limited studies conducted in Tanzania. vi TABLE OF C