Journal Article: International Journal of Child Development and Mental Health, 9(2), 36-46.
The study explored if and extents to which peer-related interactions
provide signs of global developmental delays and suggest the appropriate
measures (if any). It involved six hundred and twelve 612 respondents among
which five hundred and fifty-eight (n=558) were preschoolers randomly selected
using the lottery method and fifty-four (n=54) teachers conveniently
selected. Mixed approach with a cross-sectional design, using observation for
preschoolers and interview for teachers, the analysis made using ANOVA and
Chi-square, with a statistically significant p-value of p≤ .05 and confidence
level of 0.95(CL of 95%) with the application of SPSS version 20 and thematic
content analysis. Only 3.2% of preschoolers were in very serious delays in
the cognitive domain on communication difficulties showing no significant
difference in sex and their class level, 14.5% in physical delays with an inability
to perform simple tasks significantly with their age and 1.4% showed
behavioural delays as they always need reprimanded, restless and prolonged
tantrums while 0.7% were unable to participate in discussions significantly
with their age and sex. Above 50% of teachers suggested about Early
Intervention (EI) to children with developmental delay signals. Interactions
should start to children below school age for Early Stimulation (ES),
additionally, parents and caregivers are to be provided with guidelines from
experts as a way to identify and or resolve the problem, a longitudinal study
can be done on developmental delay cues from the age of three to eight years
can be conducted, but also large sample from the survey could be used for
generalisation.