EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE COURAGE TO SPEAK IN EARLY CHILDREN THROUGH THE STORYTELLING METHOD WITH HAND PUPPETS

Abstract

This study aims to improve early childhood speaking confidence through the storytelling method using hand puppets. This research is a Classroom Action Research (CAR) conducted in two cycles, namely Cycle I and Cycle II, which include the stages of planning, action, observation, and reflection. The subjects of this study were early childhood learners in a classroom group who experienced problems in speaking confidence, such as lack of self-confidence, passivity, and shyness in expressing ideas verbally. Data were collected through observation and documentation using an observation sheet of children's speaking confidence. The results showed an improvement in children's speaking confidence after the implementation of the storytelling method using hand puppets. In Cycle I, children's speaking confidence was categorized as “fair” with a percentage of 60%, while in Cycle II it increased to 85% and was categorized as “good”. This improvement indicates that the use of hand puppets in storytelling creates a fun, engaging, and interactive learning environment that encourages children to become more active and confident in speaking. Therefore, the storytelling method using hand puppets is effective in improving early childhood speaking confidence.