Publication Search

Beginning readingability in childrenage5-6years is a basic skill that is very important in supporting their academic development. One effective method for improving this ability is through interesting and interactive media, such as picture word cards. This media is designed to introduce children to basic vocabulary with the help of appropriate pictures, and remember these words. Using picture word cards can strengthen children's reading skills, because they combine attractive visual elements with direct reading practice. Through fun games and activities, children can gradually learn to recognize words, improve their reading fluency and enrich their vocabulary. This approach also provides a pleasant experience, makes the process of learning to read more interesting and reduces the anxiety that may arise in children when learning to read. In this way, picture word cards become an effective medium in supporting the development of early reading skills in young children.

Early childhood, commonly referred to as AUD (Anak Usia Dini), is the period from birth to six years old, which is crucial for the development of character and personality. At this stage, support from both parents and teachers is essential to help optimize children's potential according to their characteristics. One important aspect of early childhood development is language skills, which include listening, speaking, writing, and reading. Reading is a fundamental ability, as it serves as the foundation for developing other skills. In kindergarten-aged children, reading ability is known as emergent or beginning reading.This research aims to improve the beginning reading skills of children at PAUD Imanuel Maubele through the use of picture word card media. The research employs a Classroom Action Research (CAR) approach following the Kemmis and McTaggart model, which consists of planning, action, observation, and reflection stages, implemented in two cycles. The study involved 24 children aged 5-6 years, consisting of 14 girls and 10 boys. Data were collected using observation sheets.The pre-action observations showed that the children's beginning reading skills were still low, with an average achievement of only 42.59%. After implementing the first cycle, the average increased to 68.34%, with two children reaching the class success indicators. In the second cycle, the results showed a significant improvement, with an average achievement of 95.57%. These findings indicate that using picture word card media can effectively enhance the beginning reading abilities of early childhood students at PAUD Imanuel Maubele.