Best practices in whole child development at pre-primary school level - A multiple case study of selected pre-primary schools in Windhoek
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Date
2025
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of pre-primary teachers in
Namibia about best practices in whole child development (WCD) at four pre-primary
schools in Windhoek, Namibia. The study was underpinned by Maslow’s hierarchy of
needs under the concepts of the Association for Curriculum Development and
Supervision’s (ASCD) whole child approach to education. This study employed a
qualitative research approach, specifically adopting a collective case study design to
explore the WCD practices in pre-primary classrooms in Windhoek. The sample for
this study comprised 12 voluntary pre-primary teachers at four pre-primary schools in
Windhoek. The chosen data collection instruments to determine popular teaching
methods among volunteer teachers included individual interviews and observations.
These research instruments were checked beforehand for trustworthiness and
authenticity. Results showed that best practices in WCD were compromised by lack of
skills and inadequate teacher training, incomplete teaching guides, insufficient
teaching aids, time constraints and insufficient playground equipment. Despite these
adverse circumstances, all teachers were aware of the concept of WCD as well as what
it entails. However, they found that the factors listed above proved an obstacle to
implementing the WCD approach. As a result, in applying best practices in holistic
education for pre-primary classrooms, certain domains of child development were
emphasised at the cost of others.
Implications for enhancing a holistic approach in the four schools include compulsory
workshops on holistic child developmental practices for all teachers and providing
Namibian pre-primary schools with a practical WCD manual.
The study thus recommends that future research should target studies into holistic child
development in rural Namibia. A quantitative study is also recommended to
investigate the availability of proper teaching equipment or resources at pre-primary
schools throughout Namibia
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Education (Early Childhood Education)
Keywords
Holistic, Development, Hierarchy, Implementation, Pre-primary, Namibia, University of Namibia