An Analysis of the Effects of Family Disintegration on Early Childhood Development: A Case Study of the Reigate District in Zimbabwe

Description

Page: 1566-1572

Sibonile Ndebele¹ and Penitence Ndebele² (Mkhithika Thebe Primary School, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe¹ and Department of Tourism and Hospitality, Walter Sisulu University, Butterworth, South Africa²)

The family unit is at the core of childhood development and children observe and learn from the adults around them. Therefore, parents play an important role in early childhood development. However, the family unit may disintegrate owing to death, divorce or separation. Such events have detrimental effects on the development of the child, even outside the home environment such as school. The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of family disintegration on childhood development from the perspective of educators and to identify the interventions to assist children from disintegrated families. Open-ended questionnaires were distributed to 40 participants comprising of heads of schools, teachers in charge of infants in schools (TICs) and early childhood development (ECD)teachers. Rudeness, bullying, isolation, being withdrawn, malnourishment and absenteeism were the most common characteristics of these children. These children faced financial constraints, lack of support from parents, lack of requisite documents, lack of interest in schoolwork and a lack of resources. Lack of government support, lack of parental involvement in children’s education, and teachers’ attitude towards these children were the challenges faced by educators. However, reading programs, sourcing financial support, donors, nutrition gardens, and government programs were implemented to assist these children.