Embedding Effective Communication in Early Childhood Learning in Schools: Experience from Early Childhood Teachers

ABSTRACT

This study aims to strengthen the empirical evidence by analyzing the communication process between early childhood education (ECE) teachers and children during the learning process. It also aims to explore how the process occurs and how children respond. This qualitative descriptive exploratory research utilizes the content analysis method. Purposive sampling was used to select five teachers, including the head teacher, and forty-seven children who participated in this study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and non-participant observations to explore communication practices in the teaching and learning process, from the teachers perspective. The results emphasizes the importance of bidirectional communication, tailored to individual children for optimal engagement. It also highlights the role of language use and non-verbal cues in effective pedagogy, while acknowledging the challenges of material relevance and language barriers. The study underscores the significance of multimodal pedagogy, and adaptive communication strategies to address disparities in children’s engagement levels and language challenges. It advocates for the continuous refinement of pedagogical techniques to enhance effective communication between teachers and children, a crucial element for the overall improvement of early childhood education quality. Overall, the research provides valuable insights for both academic discourse and practical applications in early childhood education.

KEYWORDS:

• Effective communication
• early childhood education (ECE)
• teacher–child interaction
• learning process

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hafidh ‘Aziz

Hafidh ‘Aziz is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Educational Sciences at the Graduate School of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and a lecturer in the Department of Islamic Early Childhood Education at Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Kalijaga in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. His research encompasses a variety of educational fields, including Islamic education, early childhood education, madrasas and pesantren, and Islamic studies.

Ajat Sudrajat

Ajat Sudrajat is a Professor in the Department of History Education at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Yogyakarta State University, located at Colombo Street No.1, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia. He is also a lecturer at the Graduate School of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta. His research interests include Islamic thought, Islamic studies and education, history, social sciences, and character education.

Suparno

Suparno is a professor at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta specializing in early childhood education for children with special needs. He is affiliated with the Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education, at Yogyakarta State University and its Graduate School. His expertise lies in pedagogy for young children with special needs. His scholarly contributions, presented and published at national and international seminars, focus on the education of children with special needs and inclusive education in early childhood. His community service is dedicated to the education of children with special needs, and he is an active member of the Association of Indonesian Special Education Professionals.

Sigit Purnama

Sigit Purnama is a professor in the Department of Islamic Early Childhood Education at the State Islamic University Sunan Kalijaga in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. He serves the academic community as an editor and reviewer with a focus on early childhood education, curriculum development, instructional technology, and digital literacy.

Indira Kinanti Chintania Ayu Putri

Indira Kinanti Chintania Ayu Putri is a student majoring in Islamic Education for Early Childhood at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Yogyakarta. She volunteers at Cita Bestari, which initiated the first Pop-Up Class in Yogyakarta and participates in Teras Dakwah Yogyakarta, supporting Islamic studies and parenting programs.