Abstract:
Thematic teaching approach is a strategy which connects all subject areas using a common theme hence making learning integrated and meaningful. The purpose or this study was to investigate the effectiveness of thematic teaching approach on developing reading skills among preschoolers in Manga Sub-County, Nyamira County, Kenya. The target population for the study included 120 ECDE teachers and 800 preschoolers. The study used cluster and simple random sampling techniques in obtaining a sample size of 36 pre-unit teachers and 240 preschoolers. Data was collected by means of questionnaires and observation checklists. The findings indicated that thematic teaching approach was the common approach which was used to develop reading skill among preschool children. The study also found that pre-schools in which their ECDE teachers always used thematic approach to develop reading skills performed relatively better than those where teachers rarely or never used the approach. However, reading skills still remained below average. Findings of this study could help Kenyan preschool teachers to evaluate their instructional practices in the teaching of reading and also aid the Ministry of Education to carry out in-service training courses on appropriate methodology in developing reading skills in preschool children.
