Norela Binti Elias (for EDU 702)

A Study On Development of Communication within Multicultural Preschool Children in Malaysia.

Variable of Study : Development of Communication

Setting : Malaysia

Subjects of study : Multicultural Preschool children

Literature review

Introduction

Communication involves the sharing of ideas and information. It is also defined as an interaction between two people in which something is exchanged. Emotional competence is the key to strong preschool social skills (Denham 1997).

Communication is a learned skill. Most people are born with the physical ability to talk, but we must learn to speak well and communicate effectively. Speaking, listening, and our ability to understand verbal and nonverbal meanings are skills we develop in various ways.

Everyone who interacts with a young child is a teacher. Effective preschool classrooms are places where children feel well cared for
and safe. They are places where children are valued as individuals and where their need for attention, approval, and affection are supported. The main ethnic groups are the native Malays as well as large populations of Chinese, and Indians. Malaysia's cultural mosaic is marked by many different cultures, but several in particular have had especially lasting influence on the country. Due to the different cultures made up in Malaysia, each child has been brought up by their own culture background and this can also effect the form of communication between them when they meet at school.

The purpose of this study is to provide information for teachers on how to resolve communication within young children with different cultural background.

Significance of the Study

This study is to ensure that the preschool teachers are able to develop communication between their children even though we are living in a multicultural country. Despite different cultural backgrounds in every students, the need of appropriate way to communicate with them is vital. This study will also help teachers understand the different culture existence in their students.

Limitations

The number of schools and students sampled were relatively small in proportion to the amount of residents in the area. This study was limited only to three preschools in the area. The questionnaires were also given to teachers and preschool children who can read and write only. This limits to smaller quantity of preschool children who cab read and write only.

References

What is Communication? Retrieved on 20 July 2010 from http://www.natcom.org/nca/files/ccLibraryFiles/FILENAME/000000000157/Pathways%20Excerpt.pdf

Your dictionary.com, your last word in words. Retrieved 21 July 2010 from http://www.yourdictionary.com/answers/what/what-is-communication.html

Teaching Our Youngest, A Guide for Preschool Teachers

and Child Care and Family Providers retrieved on 20 July 2010 from http://www2.ed.gov/teachers/how/early/teachingouryoungest/teachingouryoungest.pdf

KWINTESSENTIAL. Malaysia – Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. Retrieved on 21 July 2010 from http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/malaysia.html