Development Model of English Learning Management for Preschool Children in Child Care Center

Abstract

This research and development aimed to develop a model of English learning management for preschool children in child care center and to examine its effectiveness. The research procedure consisted of 4 phases: 1) analyzing based line data of child care center; 2) developing the model; 3) testing the developed model; and 4) extending the model using. The samples for testing the developed model consisted of 30 pairs of parents and 2-4 year children receiving services at the child care center of Phrapokklao Nursing College, Chanthaburi. The research instruments were composed of an activity of “AEC for kids”, a model of “2 teachers and parent”, an activity of “cooperative learning for promoting language development”, the questionnaires with the reliabilities in the range of .86-.93, and an assessment form. The implementation and data collection were conducted from May to November, 2017. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, paired t-test, and content analysis.

The research results revealed that 1) the model of English learning management for preschool children in child care center was “2 teachers and parent” or “2TP Cooperative Learning Model” that comprised Teacher1: the class teacher who taught English such as for easy words for everyday use, English songs for kids; Teacher2: the English native speaker who taught at least 1 hour a week; and Parent who told fairy tale with their children at least 10 minutes per time and 3 times a week; and 2) the effectiveness of the model, it was found that after the implementation of an activity of “AEC for kids”, and an activity of “let read bilingual fairy tale”, the parent had statistically significant higher mean scores of opinion regarding English skill than before the implementation (t = 3.210, p < .001 and t = 7.160, p < .001, respectively). Additionally, after the implementation of an activity of “cooperative learning for promoting language development”, the parent had mean score of opinion at a good and a very good level.

This research suggests that other child care centers should apply this model for promoting English skill learning of preschool children based on the appropriate situations and contexts in order to enhance language development among these children.