The Effects of Community Playgroups on School readiness in Preschool Children in the Gedeo Zone of South Ethiopia: A Case Study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Influencing children's developmental pathways has become an effective strategy for improving school readiness across diverse contexts. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of community playgroups on school readiness of preschool children in Gedeo zone of South Ethiopia, highlighting the essential role of play in early childhood education. Using quantitative methods, the researchers assessed cognitive, social and emotional development of 378 preschoolers. The results indicated that children who participated in community playgroups showed significant improvements compared to a control group. Multivariate analysis revealed substantial beta values for cognitive (0.30), social (0.35) and emotional (0.40) readiness. Post hoc analysis confirmed that the intervention significantly improved cognitive and social development, although social skills development was less pronounced. This underscores the importance of early childhood interventions involving parental participation and organized activities in fostering school readiness. The findings advocate for further investigation of these dynamics to improve children's overall development and readiness for school.
Source: SAGE Open
Author: Adane Hailu Herut
Institution: Dilla University
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,600
OpenAlex ID: W4415171663