TITLE:
Further Study on Implementing Thematic Teaching in Preschool: A Needs Analysis Research
AUTHORS:
Diani Mardiana Mat Zin, Suziyani Mohamed, Kamariah Abu Bakar, Nurul Khairani Ismail
KEYWORDS:
Thematic Approach, Thematic Teaching, Thematic Curriculum, Early Child-hood Education
JOURNAL NAME:
Creative Education,
Vol.10 No.12,
November
29,
2019
ABSTRACT: Thematic
teaching has been introduced through the Malaysian Preschool Education Curriculum
Guidelines (KPM, 1993) since 1993. This research is a preliminary review aimed at looking at
the need to conduct further studies on the implementation of thematic teaching
and to determine the focus of the research. This research explores the current
understanding and practice of eight teachers from eight preschools in Selangor
and Negeri Sembilan in implementing thematic teaching. Data collected for this
research was based on document analysis, observations, and interviews. Findings of the research show that there were
various levels of understanding and methods employed in implementing thematic
teaching in the selected preschools. Teachers’ understanding is divided into
several categories: 1) understanding thematic teaching as curriculum; 2)
understanding thematic teaching as an approach; 3) the minimum understanding of thematic teaching; and 4) no
understanding of thematic teaching at all. In terms of planning, only two of
the teachers integrated thematic teaching in their annual, weekly, and daily
lesson plans. The findings on the implementation of thematic teaching also show
that teachers: 1) used thematic teaching as the basis of the curriculum; 2)
applied thematic teaching as one of the teaching approaches; 3) used
thematic teaching based on the requirements of the teaching and learning; and 4) had
not used thematic teaching. This finding supports the need for further research
on thematic teaching. A detailed research
on the implementation of more practical and friendly thematic teaching for
teachers that also fulfills the principles of implementation of such teaching
and the overall developmental needs of children should be undertaken.