Parental Roles in Facilitating Preschoolers’ English Vocabulary Development Through Kids’ YouTube Channels
Keywords:
English vocabulary, Parental roles, Kids’ YouTube channelsAbstract
The introduction of the English language to Indonesian children at an early age aligns with the policy of the Ministry of Education and Culture announced during the 2013 National Education Day commemoration. As a result, English is taught in early childhood education. In today’s digital era, however, preschoolers are also exposed to English through digital platforms. Previous studies have shown that digital media—particularly those incorporating animation and music in digital storytelling—can effectively engage children and foster language learning. This study employed a qualitative approach using a narrative inquiry method to explore the role of parents in supporting their preschool-aged children’s English vocabulary development through Kids’ YouTube channels. Participants included parents with one preschool-aged child. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and observations. The research findings revealed parents recognize the importance of early English learning and play active roles in their children’s language development. Both mothers and fathers contributed to nurturing their child’s growth, as illustrated in the case of “Shaa” (pseudonym), who regularly watched animated content and applied the newly learned vocabulary in daily life. In conclusion, both parents and Kids’ YouTube channels play a significant role in preschoolers’ English vocabulary acquisition. It is recommended that parents carefully select age-appropriate YouTube content, foster meaningful interactions with their children, and actively support their language development.
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