Skills and Challenges of Preschool Teachers in the Implementation of Traditional Malay Dance in Preschool

Kemahiran dan Cabaran Guru Prasekolah dalam Pelaksanaan Tarian Tradisional Melayu di Prasekolah

Abstract

The uniqueness of Malaysia's cultural heritage needs to be appreciated and revealed at an early stage, among which is a traditional dance full of limb movements performed meekly and accompanied by music. This study aims to identify the challenges faced by preschool teachers in teaching traditional dance to preschool children The design of this study uses a mixed method that is qualitative and quantitative. The instruments used for quantitative are questionnaires and qualitative using interview protocols. The sample of this study consisted of two preschool teachers who were interviewed on a semi-structural basis as well as 125 preschool teachers involved to answer the questionnaire instruments. Later, the data were analyzed using thematic analysis for interviews and descriptive analysis of questionnaire surveys. The findings from the interview showed that teachers should be given courses for skills in teaching preschoolers as it involves psychomotor skills. In addition, the survey results showed that teachers lacked basic skills in traditional Malay dance with a mean value of 4.13 and a standard deviation of 0.88. Hence, all parties should be aware that there is a need to develop a traditional Malay dance model that can be used as a suitable training guide to teach preschoolers. The impact of this studyis able  increases the readiness and planning of preschool teachers to plan traditional dance activities with children.