PEER GROUP INFLUENCE AND PUPILS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION
PEER GROUP INFLUENCE AND PUPILS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION
CERTIFICATION
This is to certify that this research project was carried out in the Department of Early Childhood Care and Education under the supervision of the underlisted:
Dr. (Mrs.) Grace A. Eneh ……………………….. ……………………..
Supervisor Signature Date
Dr. (Mrs.) Charity O. Igbokwe ……………………….. ……………………..
Head of Department Signature Date
Dr. Umoinyang E. Umoinyang ……………………….. ……………………..
Internal Examiner Signature Date
Abstract
The study of peer group and pupils academic performance in Early Childhood Care and Education was carried out in Etinan Local Government Area. The study adopted a survey research design. 2,458 primary five (5) pupils in the study area formed the population of the study. a simple random sampling technique was used to select 160 pupils and used for the study. A questionnaire containing twelve (12) items was the major instrument for data collection. Thereafter, the data generated from the instrument were analyzed using simple percentage statistics.
Thus, the results showed that study habits of peers as well as time allocated by peers for their studies are those factors that influence pupils’ academic performance in Early Childhood Care and Education. The study therefore recommended that discussion method of teaching should be adopted by primary school teachers during teaching so that the pupils can interact with their peers during lessons for better academic achievement in schools.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE – INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 purpose of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Research Hypotheses
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Assumption of the Study
1.8 Delimitation of the Study
1.9 Limitation of the Study
1.10 Operational Definition of Terms
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Area of the Study
3.3 Population of the Study
3.4 Sample and Sampling Techniques
3.5 Research Instrument
3.6 Validation of the Instrument
3.7 Administration of the Instrument
3.8 Scoring of the Instrument
3.9 Method of Data Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
4.1 Presentation of Results
4.2 Discussion of Findings
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Summary
5.2 Recommendations
5.3 Conclusion
5.4 Suggestions for Further Study
References
Appendixes
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Indeed, the issue of peer group is a critical one in respect of current educational policy which favours expansion of school choice, because choice based on peer group quality. In theory at least, lead to a high degree of sorting across schools along lines of prior ability (Epple and Romano, 2000). Thus, this will exacerbate educational inequalities if peer-group quality has real impacts on personal achievement.
Specifically, the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary (2001) defined peer-group as the group of people of the same age or social status. Thus, the peer group is the first social group outside the home in which the child attempts to gain acceptance and recognition. Therefore, peer group is an important influence throughout one’s life. But they are more critical during the developmental years of childhood and adolescence.
Obviously, adolescents always emulate their mate in whatever form of behaviour, attitudes having their origin in interaction with other persons and those which occur through integration. Thus, a child learn more through integration with peers which influence their academic performance in schools (Zimmerman, 2003).
Moreover, in the school system, the pupil gets into the social group of “like minds” and interest. As a result of the various attitudes, skill, knowledge in required through role-play. Peer group as an agent of socialization is the most important socializing agent for the developing of pupils during their childhood education.
In the Nigeria society today, the influence of peer group cannot be over emphasized in a pupils life most especially child education. Peer group has in one way or the other influenced the life of children both academically, socially, morally, psychologically and otherwise (Hoxby,2000).
PEER GROUP INFLUENCE AND PUPILS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION
Socialization such as family, religion, mass media and school among others help in modifying the behaviour of the child. The peer group forms the main basis through which the child learns lot of empirical facts about his physical and social environment, acquisition of skills and value as well as attitude for a better future.
However, sequel to the aforementioned assertions: on the influence of peer groups on the educational process of pupils in primary schools. Therefore, this research was conducted in ascertain how peer group influence the academic performance of pupils in Early Childhood Care and Education.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Indeed, pupils’ Persistent poor academic performance in many school subjects in primary school has been the main concern of this research. It is a knowledge fact that children socialize with people when they associate.
Other children as well as adults can have a great impact on a broad range of issues in the child’s life including achievement in schools.
Therefore, the research is geared towards having a proper understanding of the way social interaction affect academic achievement and it is very important for parents, educators, and policy makers. The immediate environment such as peer, family, school, religion and other factors can encourage or discourage pupils’ academic performance. This research is thus an inquiry into the influence of peer group on pupil’s academic performance in Early Childhood Care and Education.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
Generally, the study was to find out the influence of peer group on pupils’ academic performance in Early Childhood Care and Education. Specifically, the objectives of the study were:
- To find out the influence of peer group on pupils’ academic performance in Early Childhood Care and Education.
- To examine the influence of study habits of peers on pupils’ academic performance in Early Childhood Care and Education.
- To find out how time allocated by peers for their studies influence pupils academic performance in Early Childhood Care and Education.
1.4 Research Questions
- How does peer group influence pupils’ academic performance in Early Childhood Care and Education?
- To what extent does study habit of peers influence pupils’ academic performance in Early Childhood Care and Education?
- How does time allocated by peers for their studies influence pupils’ academic performance in Early Childhood Care and Education.
1.5 Research Hypotheses
- There is no significant difference between peer group influence and pupils’ academic performance in Early Childhood Care and Education
- There is no significant difference between study habit of peer and pupils’ academic performance in Early Childhood Care and Education.
- There is no significant difference between time allocated by peers for their studies and pupils’ academic performance in Early Childhood Care and Education.
1.6 Significance of the Study
The study will also enable stakeholders in the educational sector to initiate policies and programmes that will channel peer group influence from other negative activities to effective reading and learning to achieve maximum academic excellence among pupils and students studying in schools. Also, the study will further provide an insight into impact of peer group on academic performance of adolescents.
1.7 Limitation of the Study
Financial constraint exerted much influence on the study because the researcher found it tough to get some funds to finance the study. One of such is inability to reach out for enough print materials since it was carried out alongside with other academic works.
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms
Peer Group: In brief, this is a group of people of the some age or social status. Peer group also entail people who shares common view, sentiment and interest.
Academic Performance: In brief, this is measured as the capacity of a learner in terms of the attainment in quantitative form of specified learning objectives in a given curriculum.
Pupils: Pupils in this study refers to children who are learning in both nursery and the primary level of education.
NOTES FOR FURTHER READING
How does a peer group influence the academic performance of a child?
What is the effect of peer group influence on student academic performance?
peer group influence on academic performance
What is the role of peer group in early childhood?
What is the influence of peer group on the students?
Peer group influence on students’ academic performance pdf
Questionnaire on influence of peer group on academic performance
Related literature about peer influence on academic performance
Theories about peer influence on academic performance
The effects of peer pressure on academic performance thesis
Peer group influence on the adolescent and their performance in school
Research topic on effect of peer group on student academic performance.
CONCLUSION
It is evident from all that have been discussed in this study that peer group has great influence on pupils’ learning as well as their academic performance in schools irrespective of learner’s age and institution of learning. Indeed, the role play by peer groups in an institution of learning and perhaps other social organizations cannot be overemphasized in our today’s society.
As such based on the specific objectives of the study, the following conclusions were made.
- Peer group influence pupils’ academic performance in Early Childhood Care and Education.
- Study habit of peers influence pupils’ academic performance in Early Childhood Care and Education.
- Time allocated by peers for their studies influence pupils’ academic performance in Early Childhood Care and Education.
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