TEACHERS’ PERCEIVED INFLUENCE OF PLAY BASED LEARNING ACTIVITIES ON PUPILS’ CREATIVE KNOWLEDGE IN KWARA STATE
Authors: Eniola K. Ola-Alani PhD, Nasimot Opeyemi Oyewumi, Mafikuyomi, Johnson Adewole PhD & Oludare David Ojo PhD
ABSTRACT
The persistent use of traditional teaching methods in many primary schools by teachers has limited pupils’ opportunities to develop creativity and participate actively in play-based learning. The situation creates need to assess the teachers’ perceived influence of play based learning activities on the creative knowledge of primary school pupils in Kwara State. The research design employed for this study was descriptive research design of survey type. The population of the study consisted of all public primary schools teacher in Kwara State. Sample size was 297 public primary school teachers which were selected from three local government for three senatorial district using Multi-stage sampling procedure. A research question and one hypothesis were raised to guide the study. Mean was used to answer the research question, while ANOVA was used to test the hypothesis. The results revealed that the extent of play-based learning activities in enhancing the creative knowledge of primary school pupils in Kwara State was high with a grand mean of .3.37, and there was significant difference in teachers’ perceived influence of play-based learning activities on the creative knowledge of primary school pupils based on teaching experience. F(4.438) = 0.00 < 0 .05. It was concluded that while play-based learning is effective in enhancing pupils’ creativity, teachers’ characteristics play an important role in its implementation and outcomes. It is therefore, recommended that education stakeholders should encourage the regular use of play-based learning activities in primary schools, training and workshops should be organised for teachers.
Keywords: Play-Based Learning, Creative Knowledge, Teacher
REFERENCE
- Adebayo, O. S., & Olanrewaju, T. A. (2021). Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing Play-Based Learning in Osun State. Journal of Early Childhood Education Research, 12(1), 89-102.
- Adegoke, O.A & Oredein, A.O (2025). Play-based Learning Strategies as Correlates of early Learners Cognitive Readiness Towards Learning in Montessori Schools in Lagelu Local Government Area, Ibadan, Nigeria. GSC Advance Research and Reviews, 243-251. DOI: 10.30574/gscarr.2025.25.3.0374
- Adubuola, E. O., Gbadeyanka, T.A. Hamzat, B.O., Oyewumi, N.O (2023). Influence of play-based learning on socio-emotional development among early children in Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. 10(4), 425-430
- Aguilar F. Shylene (2024). Play-based learning concept and development of Teaching among Kindergarten Teachers. European Journal of Education Studies. 11(6). DOI:10.46827/ejes.v11i6.5333.
- Asiata O. Rafiu (2019). Effects of Constructive and Social Play on the Academic Performance of Pupils in Numeracy in Kwara State, Nigeria. M.Ed thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Education, Kwara State University, Molete, Kwara State
- Chia-Yen Tsai (2016). How Taiwanese Preschool Educators View Play and Apply It in Their Teaching. International Education Studies, 10(4), 152-159. https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v10n4p152
- Danniels, E., & Pyle, A. (2018). Defining Play-based Learning. Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development. Retrieved from www.child-encyclopedia.com
- Education Development Center, Inc. (2014). Play-based learning. Retrieved from https://www.child-encyclopedia.com/play-based-learning/according-experts/defining-play-based-learning
- Ehrich, J. F., Woodcock, S. & West, C. (2020). The Effect of Gender on Teaching Dispositions: A Rasch Measurement Approach. Vol.99, 2020, 101510.
- Emily Acevedo (2022). Teacher’s implementation of play-based learning practices and Barriers Encountered in Kindergarten classrooms. Walden Dissertation and Doctoral Studies Collection.
- Educationtopics (2025). Impact of Play-based Learning on the Cognitive Development of Public Primary Schools in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State
- Federal Ministry of Education, Nigeria. (2014). National policy on education (Revised).
- Ibrahim Adamu (2019). The Effectiveness of Play way methods on Academic performance of Primary pupils in Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State
- Jamie Blyth (2023). Play-Based Learning: Playing the Way to Rich Learning. BU Journal of Graduate Studies in Education, vol.15, 22-26.
- Karen, M. Gillian, L. Mary, W. UllaLicandro & Evangelou, M. (2022). Perceptives of play and Playbased Learning: What do Adults Think Play is? Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, DOI: 10.1177/18369391221130790
- Kejo, S. M. (2017). Exploring Play in Early Years Education: Beliefs and Practices of Pre-Primary Educators in Tanzania. 20-24.
- Kolo, D.K., Zakwoi, D. I., Abraham, A. A., & Agbo, S. O. Abdulkadir, U. (2023). Impact of teacters’ Education on Academic Performance of Computer Science Students Niger State College of Education, Minna. MIJOST Vol.2(2), 8-12.
- Lawal, M. B., Afolabi, J.O. & Ajayi, R.O. (2017). Relationship among Teacher Experience, Competence and Economics Performance of Secondary School Students in Ibadan, Oyo State. Unilorin Journal of Lifelong Education Vol.1(2).
- Milne, J., & McLaughlin, T. (2018). Examining the Teacher’s Role in Play Based Learning: One Teacher’s Perceptive. Research Information for Teachers, vol.3, 44-50. https://doi.org/10.18296/set.0117
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (2018) Children Early Mathematics Development Based on a Free Play Activity. Journal of Creative Education. 9(7),
- Obijiofor, E.O., Ugwele, N. A., & Onyenwe, C, Y. (2024). Play based learning and social skills development among primary school pupils in southeastern Nigeria. International Journal of Research and Innovation, 15(4), 78-91.
- Owushi, J. N., & Godfrey-Kalio, I.A. (2025). Educating through play-based learning for creativity and skills development in early childhood education. Global Academic Star Journal of Education, 12(1), 33-49.
- Parker, R., Thomsen, B. S., Berry A. (2022). Learning through Play at School – A framework for Policy and Practice. Conceptual Analysis Article, vol.7. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.751801
- Reed, J. (2025). Gender Definition, Types & Examples. Study.com. https://study.com/academy/lesson/gender-definition-types-examples.html
- Shie, D. P., & Ejiga, P.J. (2022). Effects of teacher’s qualification and instructional Materials on secondary school Mathematics Student’s Academic performance in Jos Metropolis of Plateau State. DOI: 10.56201/ijee.v8.no7.2022.pg 27.42
- Sulaiman, J., Adebayo, A. A., & Manditereza, B. (2025). Exploring the impact of play-based learning on teacher satisfaction, stress, and learners’ collaboration in Kwara State, Nigeria. Inspira: Indonesian Journal of psychological Research, 6(2), 101-119.