Improving the Language Skills of Children Aged 5-6 Years Through Storytelling Activities Using Hand Puppet Media

Abstract

Language development is a fundamental aspect of early childhood education because it supports communication, social interaction, and cognitive growth. However, preliminary observations made in Group B of Idhata State TK revealed that many children aged 5-6 years have not reached the expected level of language proficiency. This research aims to improve children's language skills through storytelling activities using hand puppet media. The study used Classroom Action Research (CAR) involving 15 children consisting of 8 boys and 7 girls. This research was carried out in two cycles, each consisting of planning, action, observation, and reflection stages. Data was collected through observation sheets, teacher interviews, field notes, and documentation. These findings showed a substantial improvement in children's language skills, with learning completeness increasing from 33% in the pre-action stage to 60% in Cycle I and reaching 87% in Cycle II. The qualitative findings further revealed that children became more confident, actively engaged in storytelling activities, and showed a greater willingness to express their ideas orally. These findings suggest that storytelling with the help of hand puppets is an effective and fun strategy for improving early childhood language development. This study contributes to the field of early childhood education by providing practical evidence that interactive storytelling media can facilitate meaningful language learning experiences while encouraging children's active participation.