Vocabulary acquisition through nursery rhymes by Al-Azhar Kindergarten children

Fhadilla, Ghulam Ikhwan and Djuharie, Otong Setiawan and Suswanto, Deni (2025) Vocabulary acquisition through nursery rhymes by Al-Azhar Kindergarten children. EPIGRAM, JURNAL PENELITIAN DAN PENGEMBANGAN HUMANIORA, 22 (2). pp. 32-53. ISSN 1639-1653

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Abstract

This research examines English vocabulary acquisition among Indonesian kindergarten students through nursery rhymes, integrating psycholinguistic theories including Chomsky's Universal Grammar, Krashen's Input Hypothesis, and Piaget's Cognitive Development Theory. This study aims to find out the types of vocabulary that are acquired by Al-Azhar Kindergarten children through nursery rhymes and analyze how certain vocabulary types are more frequently acquired through nursery rhymes. Using a qualitative method, this study observed 25 students aged 5-7 years from Al-Azhar Syifa Budi Parahyangan Kindergarten, Padalarang, West Bandung, using purposive sampling. Collecting data through observations, video, and post-tests over four weeks, with different nursery rhymes. "Vegetable Song," "I'm Thirsty!" "Fruit Song," and "Open Shut Them." Songs were presented during daily circle time, with supplementary learning activities on Tuesdays and post-test evaluations on Fridays using flashcard-based verbal identification. The results show patterns matching Piaget’s preoperational stage, with higher acquisition of concrete nouns (e.g., vegetables, fruits, beverages) and action verbs than abstract adjectives. Pairing words with physical actions was particularly effective. The study concludes that nursery rhymes' melody, rhythm, and repetition offer comprehensible input at the "i+1" level, promoting subconscious learning through multisensory engagement, influenced by exposure, experience, pacing, and developmental fit, supporting music-based learning for kindergarten students. By understanding which words children learn best through nursery rhymes, educators can improve their teaching methods and give students a stronger foundation for future English learning in Indonesia.

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