TEACHERS' VARIABLES AND ACQUISITION OF SOCIAL SKILLS OF PRESCHOOLERS IN PUBLIC EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTRES IN IKWERRE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, RIVERS STATE.

This study investigates the teachers' variables and acquisition of social skills among preschoolers in public early childhood centers in Ikwerre Local Government Area Rivers State. The researchers prepared three objectives, three research questions and three null hypotheses. There are two theories that was adopted in this research work, such Ecological Systems Theory and Social Learning Theory. In order to gather data for this research, the researchers employed the descriptive survey and analysis using a questionnaire to collect data from the selected respondents. The population of the study comprise of 40 caregivers in Early Childhood Education enrollment in Ikwerre Local Government Area, of Rivers State and 2300 are pupils enrollment in Early Childhood Education in Ikwerre Local Government Area, of Rivers State, Nigeria. The simple random sampling technique is only required for samples drawn among the caregivers in Early Childhood Education in Ikwerre Local Government Area, of Rivers State, Nigeria. The study will ensure a total 340 Early Childhood Education centres in Ikwerre Local Government Area, of Rivers State, Nigeria. Using the Taro Yamen formula for estimating sample size, a sample size of 340 will be drawn and used for the study. The research uses simple random sampling techniques. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire titled "Teachers' Variables and Acquisition of Social Skills Among Preschoolers in Public Early Childhood Centers in Ikwerre Local Government Area Rivers State. Questionnaire" (TVASSPPECCQ). Mean and standard deviation was used to answer the three research questions posed for the study. While T-test was used to test the three null hypotheses formulated at 0.05 level of significance. The study concludes that teachers with better training and years of experience, as well as those who implement interactive and inclusive teaching methods, positively impact the social skills development of children in early childhood settings. The study recommends Teachers in public early childhood centers in Ikwerre Local Government, Rivers State, undergo continuous professional development to enhance their qualifications and improve preschoolers' social skills acquisition.