IMPACT OF CHILD-REARING PRACTICES ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF PRE-PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN JOS NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF PLATEAU STATE

Abstract

This research investigatedthe impact of child-rearing practices on the academic performance of
pre-primary school pupils in Jos North Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State. The study
focused on the impact of authoritative child rearing practice on the academic performance of
pupils of pre-primary schools in Jos North L.G.A., the impact of authoritarian child rearing
practice on academic performance of pre-primary school pupils, the impact of permissive child
rearing practice on academic performance of pre-primary schools pupils and the impact of
laissez-faire child rearing practice on academic performance of pre-primary school pupils in Jos
North L.G.A.Four research questions .The descriptive survey research design was adopted in the
study. A sample for the research consists of a total of 150 parents and 150 pupils drawn randomly
across ten wards in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. A questionnaire tagged;
“Child Rearing Practice and Pupils' Performance Questionnaire (CRPPPQ)” was used elicit
responses from the target respondents. The data collected in the study was analysed using mean
score and chi-square statistics. From the analysis of data collected, it was discovered that
authoritative parenting help to enhance the cognitive development of pre-school children, it
promotes the academic performance of pupils, it enhances the social development of children and
promotes adherence to instructions among children, authoritarian child rearing has negative
impact on pupils' academic performance as it did not foster self-confidence in learning nor
development of social learning skills, permissive child rearing practice has negative impact on
the academic performance of children. This is evident in the fact that it does not foster the
cognitive development of pre-school children, it does not promote the social development of
children and it doesn't enhance the development of self-confidence in learning among children.
From the findings of the study, it was recommended among others since authoritative child
rearing practice was found to enhance pupils' academic performance in schools, there is the need
for the parents to model such parenting style in order to foster the social and educational
development of their children.