From Compliance to Play: Enhancement of Phonemic Awareness Through Play-Based Learning Activities in Kindergarten

Abstract

Phonemic awareness is a skill that begins developing from birth and continues to develop throughout a child’s early years. In the context of 21st-century learning, there is a growing demand for students to establish a solid foundation in this skill during their early developmental stages. Despite the recognized importance of phonemic awareness, there have been instances of low achievement in this area. This study aimed to assess the impact of incorporating play-based activities on improving phonemic awareness in kindergarten learners. The variables examined within phonemic awareness include letter sound fluency, blending, and segmenting. The study employed a quasi-experimental research design and utilized purposive sampling. A total of 20 kindergarten learners from Tangway Loob Elementary School participated in the study. The primary instruments for data collection were pre-tests and post-tests. The findings revealed that, before the implementation of play-based activities, kindergarten learners had a mean phonemic awareness score of 42.58, interpreting a moderate level of awareness. After the intervention, the learners attained a mean of 56.53, also interpreted as a moderate level of awareness. The analysis revealed a significant improvement in letter sound fluency and blending skills between the pre-test and post-test assessments. However, no significant difference was observed in terms of segmenting. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the effectiveness of incorporating play-based activities in enhancing the phonemic awareness of kindergarten learners. It is recommended that these activities be integrated into instructional practices to further develop phonemic skills, which serve as a crucial foundation for more advanced literacy skills.