THE IMPACT OF RHYMES ON THE ORAL LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT OF KINDERGARTEN LEARNERS AT CAVE OF ADULLAM SCHOOL

ABSTRACTThe rapid development of literacy skills during the early childhood years makes it essential that educators engage young children with effective literacy practices that assist in building strong literacy foundations. The main objective of this study is to assess the impact of rhymes on the oral language development of kindergarten learners in Cave of Adullam school. A convenient sample size of 50 respondents was randomly picked at Cave of Adullam school made up of learners, teachers and some parents of the institute. The findings here in this study suggest that learners who had daily rhymes helps improve the oral language development since new words are learnt. Throughout the study, data shows that interventions put in place at home helps children engage in more rhymes with the help of their parents. This can show gains in learners’ improvement in oral language. This study goes to show that children who experience this type of environment are more likely to be engaged in learning experiences and further develop their phonological awareness skills early in their educational life. The use of rhymes can play a vast difference in teaching pre-reading skills to children. The exposure to print and the use of print as kid friendly is an exciting tool for teaching reading. Many children do not realize they are truly reading when they recite or chant poems. They know they can repeat words but the whole idea behind reading has escaped them. Reading does not have to be all about phonics. The study makes the following recommendations. Teachers must be given periodic trainings to equip them with more rhymes to teach the children effectively. Varied rhymes bring new experiences to the children. The parents must be encouraged to sing rhymes they know with their children at home since this will also help in developing the oral language of the children. Frequent singing of rhymes should be encouraged in the classroom.