Abstract:
The use of thematic approach in teaching children in Early Childhood Development
and Education (ECDE) centers promote the physiological and intellectual
development of young children helping to ready them for further schooling and
productive role in the society. The study sought to investigate factors affecting the
adoption of thematic approach in teaching in early childhood development centers in
Eldoret Municipality. It was guided by Kurt Lewin's Three Stages of Change Model
developed in 1954. The first stage is about getting ready to change. It involves getting
to a point of understanding that change is necessary and getting ready to move away
from our current comfort zone. The second stage occurs as we make changes that are
needed and move towards a new way of being, and the third stage, refreeze and
establish a new place of stability. In order to achieve the purpose of this study, three
specific objectives were addressed; to find out the resource capacities of Early
Childhood Development Centres (ECDCs) in supporting thematic approach in
teaching; to investigate the extent of teacher preparedness for the adoption of thematic
approach in teaching and to determine the availability of resources for the
implementation of the thematic approach. The study adopted the Descriptive Survey
Design. Sixty-five respondents out of one hundred and eighty- four respondents were
selected for the study. Stratified, Simple random sampling was used to select thirty
head teachers and thirty ECDE teachers. Purposive sampling technique was used to
select five Municipal Education Officers. Instrumentation included the questionnaire,
interview guide and document analysis. Data was collected and analyzed using
descriptive and inferential statistics. For qualitative data written explanations were
provided, listed and used to draw conclusions. Study findings revealed that the
ECDCs lacked the necessary learning materials and resources required for effective
implementation of the thematic approach, teachers were not adequately prepared for
the implementation of the approach and non availability of resources influenced the
implementation of thematic approach in ECDCs. The study recommended that
ECDCs be equipped with adequate and developmentally appropriate materials and
resources. Also capacity building be conducted for the ECDCs Center Management
Committees (CMC) in terms of resource mobilization and management to equip the
ECDCs. The Municipal Education Officer (MEO) to intensify workshops to equip the
ECDE teachers with necessary skills and knowledge in order to fully implement the
thematic approach which is holistic and child centered as recommended by the
National Centre for Early Childhood Education (NACECE)lDistrict Centre for Early
Childhood Education (DICECE) curriculum and pedagogy. Finally, the Government
should harmonize the training curricula for ECDE teachers in order to ease
supervision and implementation of the curriculum.