DYNAMICS OF PLAY BASED LEARNING AS PREDICTOR OF PUPILS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS (A CASE OF ALIMOSHO L.G.A OF LAGOS STATE)

Abstract

The crux of this study is to investigate play based learning as predictor of Pupils Academic Performance in Public 
Primary Schools in Lagos State. Two objectives of the study were structured alongside two research hypotheses 
respectively. Population of 50,583 public primary school pupils in which sample of 250 pupils were selected for this 
study. Two instruments were used in this study. The first was a self structured Questionnaire titled, “Dynamics of 
Play Based Learning as Predictor of Pupils Academic Performance in Public Primary Schools (DPBLPPAPPPS)”. 
The instruments were validated by test experts in the department of Primary Education Studies, University of Lagos, 
Akoka. Reliability was determined through the use of Cronbach-alpha a reliability type. An index value of 0.862 and 
0.891 were obtained Data generated was analysed using Analysis of Variance, ANOVA statistics tested at 0.05 level 
of significance. The study revealed that Play Based (construction play, language play, play with Arts and Sensory 
motor play) Learning is a good predictor of Pupils Academic Performance especially in Public Primary Schools. The 
study concluded among others that children learn very fast when they are exposed to play activities because such 
exercise motivates them to achieve specific objectives. It then recommended that caregivers and teachers should be 
exposed to the positives associated with Play as it goes a long way to improve and develop Pupils’ Cognitive, 
Affective and Psychomotor domains.