Instructional Media Production for Early Childhood Education: A. B. C. Jig-Saw Puzzle, a Model

Abstract

In this paper, a. b. c. jig-saw puzzle was produced for early childhood education using local materials. This study was a production based type of research, to serve as a supplemental or total learning resource. Its production followed four phases of development referred to as information, design, production and evaluation. The storyboard cards, lesson activities plan as well as drafts of the phases were reviewed and re-reviewed by experts and adjustments were made based on the suggestions offered by them. These documents were woven to bring about a blue print which was translated and produced to become an instructional resource. The product (a. b. c. jig-saw puzzle) was evaluated by twenty (20) Educational Technology experts. The means as well as percentages of experts’ assessment were used to determine appropriateness of the product. The results showed that the package was purposeful, appropriate, suitable, standardized and with high quality overall. The product was tested on five different children of early childhood age and found to have the capabilities of motivating them, creating interactions in an open relationship, building and sustaining attention and bringing about self-discovery and self-actualization in a gaming pattern. It is recommended that more concepts should be coded and produced for the early childhood stage, in order to cater for their needs. They might fully participate in learning experiences for them, since they are put together in an interesting pattern fashioned in game manner. That the instructional resource be replicated and used with the children of the early childhood produced for. Also, seminars and workshops should be organized for teachers at this level of education constantly, so that they would be able to possess competence required to manipulate instructional resources and teach adequately at this crucial stage of education.