SENSORY PLAY AND SKILLS ACQUISITION AMONG PRESCHOOLERS IN CHILDCARE CENTRES IN RIVERS STATE

The study investigated the relationship between sensory play and skills acquisition among preschoolers in childcare centres in Rivers state. The study employed a descriptive survey design. Purposive sampling technique was used to arrive at a sample size of 300 respondents. Data was collected through a research instrument known as "Preschoolers' Sensory Play and Skill Acquisition Questionnaire" (PSPSAQ) designed along with a 4-point Likert scale rating. The instrument had a reliability measure of 0.726 in the alpha Cronbach method. Data were analyzed with both descriptive and inferential statistics. The result of the study revealed among others that sensory play does influence the acquisition of skills of preschoolers and that there is also significant influence between sensory play and skill acquisition among preschoolers in childcare centres in Rivers State. The study concluded by noting that both sensory play and skills acquisition is important in Early Childhood Education and recommended that caregivers should regularly indulge and engage preschoolers in sensory play activities to enable them to acquire the necessary skills in childcare centres.