The Influence of Parenting Styles on the Social Skills of Pupils in Lower Primary Classes

Case Study from the year 2018 in the subject Pedagogy - Nursery Pedagogy, Early Childhood Education, grade: 2.1, University of Ibadan, course: Early Childhood Education, language: English, abstract: The development of children¿s social skills largely depends on the parenting style parents used in upbringing their children. Several studies have revealed that the social skills of children are influenced by the parenting style used by their parents. However, these studies were not carried out in Nigeria especially Ibadan North Local Government Area. Research studies in Nigeria focused on parenting style and children¿s cognitive development neglecting how the parenting styles affect social skills of children. This study therefore investigates the influence of parenting style on the social skills of pupils in lower primary classes in Ibadan North Local Government Area, Oyo State. The following are the research questions this study sought to answer: 1. What is the composite contribution of parenting styles on the social skills of pupils in lower primary classes in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State? 2. What is the relative contribution of parenting style on the social skills of pupils in lower primary classes in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State? 3. What is the most dominant parenting style used by parents of pupils in lower primary classes in Ibadan North Local Government Area, Oyo State? The early years is a very crucial period in the life of individuals. It is also the period where the success of individuals is largely determined. It is estimated that 7.5 million children under the age of 5 worldwide die each year while over 200 million children survive but do not reach their full potential. The implication of this is that the early years is a very crucial period of human development. This assertion has led almost every developed country in the world to set up some form of early childhood education for children below the age of compulsory schooling. The first few years of life are seen as a particularly sensitive period in the process of development, laying a foundation for cognitive functioning; behavioural, social, and self-regulatory capacities; and physical health in childhood and beyond. The early years of children can therefore be seen as the time where the exploits of every other period in their lives are determined.