JOLLY PHONICS AS AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY FOR ENHANCING CHILDREN’S ENGLISH LITERACY

Abstract

In today’s globalized world, English literacy has become a fundamental requirement for children’s academic success and social participation. Developing strong early literacy skills is essential, as it lays the foundation for lifelong learning. Among various approaches, Jolly Phonics has emerged as an effective and engaging method for teaching reading and writing to young learners. However, despite its popularity, challenges such as limited teacher training and lack of resources still hinder its widespread implementation.

This study aims to examine how Jolly Phonics can be effectively applied to enhance children’s English literacy skills. A descriptive qualitative research design was employed, and the study was conducted in a bilingual kindergarten in Denpasar, Bali. Data were collected through classroom observations, documentation, and interviews with an experienced teacher.

The findings indicate that the teacher successfully implemented the five key skills of Jolly Phonics: learning letter sounds, letter formation, blending for reading, identifying sounds for writing, and teaching tricky words. These skills were delivered through multisensory techniques, including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities. The results demonstrate that Jolly Phonics significantly improves children’s reading, writing, and overall literacy abilities. The study concludes that with proper planning and teacher support, Jolly Phonics can be a powerful tool in early childhood education.