Preschool Teachers’ Perceptions Towards the Use of Play- Based Approach in Language and Literacy Development for Preschool

Authors

  • Sharifah Nor Puteh Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
  • Aliza Ali Department of Early Childhood Studies Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32890/mjli2013.10.4

Keywords:

Preschool education, play-based approach, language and literacy development, curriculum implementation, national preschool curriculum standards

Abstract

Purpose â€“ In the new mandatory National Preschool Curriculum Standards introduced by the Ministry of Education Malaysia, the play-based approach has been emphasized in the teaching and learning process. This study aimed to find out teachers’ perception towards the use of the play-based approach in the language and literacy development of preschoolers.
 
Method â€“ A structured questionnaire survey was the main instrument used for data collection. The respondents consisted of 60 teachers from four agencies which provide preschool education, namely the Ministry of Education, KEMAS, Jabatan Perpaduan Negara (JPN), and private preschool centers in the district of Hulu Langat Selangor. All respondents were randomly selected. Of the 60, 51 respondents completed the survey. To gain additional insights into teachers’ perceptions 12 respondents were purposely selected from this group to be interviewed. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze data from the survey.
 
Findings â€“ The results showed that teachers have a positive response towards a play-based approach in preschoolers’ language and literacy development. They believed children like to play and are actively involved in play. However, they were unsure about the use of play based approach. Issues and constraints such as time allocation for play activities, limited and unsuitable space for play, and lack of knowledge and skills required to implement developmentally appropriate teaching including play, made them resort to a didactic teacher-directed approach in their classrooms.
 
Significance â€“ The study points to the importance of providing teachers with knowledge and skills on the use of play in their teaching approach. Intervention programs and collaborations among the agencies providing preschool education must be established to enhance the quality of teaching practices and to ensure the new curriculum is effectively implemented.

References

Almon, J. (2004). The vital role of play in early childhood education. Retrieved from http://waldorfresearchinstitute.org/pdf/BAPlay Almon.pdf.

Aliza Ali, Zahara Aziz & Rohaty Majzub. (2011). Taeching and learning through play. World Applied Sciences Journal, 14, 15-20.

Arce, E. (2000). Curriculum for young children. USA: Delma Thomson Learning.

Bahagian Pembangunan Kurikulum. (2008). Kajian Pelaksanaan Kurikulum Prasekolah Kebangsaan. Putrajaya: Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia.

Bennett, N. W., & Rogers, S. (1997). Teaching and learning through play. Buckingham: Open University Press.

Bodrova, E., & Leong, D. (2010). Curriculum and play in early child development.http://www.child-encyclopedia.com/documents/ Bodrova-LeongANGxp.

Chervenak, R. (2011). Play in kindergarten: Perspectives a full-and half day kindergarten teacher. http://etd.ohiolink.edu/send-pdf.cgi/Chervenak%20Rachel.pdf?bgsu1307916817.

Christie, J. F., & Roskos, K. A. (2009). Play’s potential in early literacy development. Encyclopedia on early childhood development [online]. Centre of excellence for early childhood development http://www.childencyclopedia.com/documents/Christie-RoskosANGxp.pdf.

Cunningham, C. A. (2009). Transforming schooling through technology: Twenty-first-century approaches to participatory learning. Education and Culture, 25 (2),46-61.

Duncan, J., & Lockwood, M. (2008). Learning through play: A work-based approach for the early years professional. New York: Continuum.

Essa, E. L. (2011). Introduction to early childhood education (Sixth edition). USA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Fauziah Mohd. Jaafar. (2009). Kepentingan aktiviti bermain di dalam pendidikan prasekolah. Retrived from http://www.fp.utm. my/ medc/journals/vol3/ 3.%20KEPENTINGAN%2AKTIVITI%20 BERMAIN%20DI%20%20DALAM%20PENDIDIKAN %20P

Fullan, M. (2007). The new meaning of educational change (4th Edition). New York: Teachers College Press.

Gestwicki, C., & Bertrand, J. (2011). Essentials of early childhood education. Toronto: Nelson Education. IPA (International Play Association). (2009). International Play Association: Promoting the child’s right to play. http://members. ipaworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/IPAbrochure-bw. pdf.

Izumi-Taylor, S. I., Samuelsson, I. P., & Rogers, C. S. (2010). Perspectives on play in the three nations: A comparative study in Japan, the United States and Sweden. http://ecrp. uiuc.edu/v12n1/izumi.html.

Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia. (2009). Dokumen standard prasekolah: Kurikulum Standard Prasekolah Kebangsaan. Kuala Lumpur: Bahagian Pembangunan Kurikulum, Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia.

Mariani Md. Nor. (2003). Kepentingan bermain dalam pendidikan prasekolah. http://www.scribd.com/doc/4007899/Kepentingan-Bermain-Dalam-Pendidikan-Prasekolah.

Mastura Bazdis. (2008). Pendidikan anak-anak di peringkat awal umur berasaskan binaan kurikulum yang integratif. Jurnal Pusat Penyelidikan Perkembangan Kanak-kanak Negara (NCDRC). Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. Malaysia. http://www.mindamadani.my/content/view/186/2/.

McNamee, J. K. (2010). The importance of play in early childhood development. Retrieved from http://msuextension.org/publications/ HomeHealthand Family/MT201003HR.pdf.

Miller, E., & Almon, J. (2009). Crisis in kindergarten: Summary and recommendations of why children need to play in school. A report from Alliance. http://earlychildhoodcolorado.org/ inc/uploads/Crisis_in_Kindergarten.pdf.

Moyles, J. (2005). The excellence of play. New York: Open Press University.

NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/position%20 statement%20Web.pdf.

Saayah Abu. (2004). Pelaksanaan aktiviti belajar melalui bermain di tadika-tadika kawasan Melaka Tengah, Melaka. Dicapai daripada http://www.ipislam.edu.my/uploaded/file/saayah.pdf.

Siraj-Blatchford, I. Sylva, K. Muttock. S.

Gilden, R., & Bell, D. (2002). Researching effective pedagogy in the early years (Department of Education and Skills, London).

Sharifah Nor, Manisah, Norshidah & Aliza. (2009). Penggunaan dan pengurusan bahan pengajaran dan pembelajaran dalam kurikulum permainan pendidikan awal kanak-kanak. Laporan teknikal projek penyelidikan UKM-GG-05-FRGS0003-2007. Fakulti Pendidikan, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Shulman, L. S. (2004). The wisdom of practice: Essays on teaching, learning, and learning to teach. In Suzanne M. Wilson (ed). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Steiner, R., & Bamford, C. (ed). (1996). The education of the child: An early lectures on education. Foundation of Waldorf Education. NY: Anthropsophic Press.

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological process: USA. President and Fellows of Havard Colle

Walsh. G., & Gardner, J. (2006). Teachers’ readiness to embrace change in the early years schooling: A Northern Ireland perspective. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal,14(2), 127-140.

Downloads

Published

26-12-2013

Issue

Vol. 10 (2013): Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction (MJLI) Vol. 10, 2013

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Nor Puteh, S., & Ali, A. (2013). Preschool Teachers’ Perceptions Towards the Use of Play- Based Approach in Language and Literacy Development for Preschool. Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction, 10, 79-98. https://doi.org/10.32890/mjli2013.10.4

Research impact

Harvested 2026-09-21
0 citations recorded so far

Counts differ between services because each indexes a different body of literature. None of them is the whole picture.

Identifiers DOI 10.32890/mjli2013.10.4 OpenAlex W4386809174