SEWANG SONG AS A MEDIUM FOR TEACHING PRE-READING SKILLS TO ORANG ASLI PRESCHOOL CHILDREN: A SCOPING REVIEW

Abstract

This study aims to identify and map past studies related to the use of Sewang songs as a medium for teaching pre-reading skills to Orang Asli preschool children, as well as to identify the challenges faced by teachers in the context of teaching pre-reading skills to preschool children. This study uses a scoping review method based on the Arksey and O'Malley (2005) framework and the PRISMA-ScR guidelines for the article search and selection process. A total of 25 articles were selected from various databases through a systematic search strategy using predetermined keywords. The study findings were analyzed and mapped to three main themes: (i) the role and advantages of songs in teaching pre-reading, (ii) the use of traditional songs in early education, (iii) teachers' challenges in teaching early literacy. The findings show that the Sewang song-based approach not only improves syllable and vocabulary mastery in pre-reading skills, but also fosters preschool students' motivation and engagement in learning. However, preschool teachers face various challenges such as language differences, culturally based teaching materials constraints, as well as socioeconomic factors and challenging geographical locations. This study contributes to strengthening the discourse of literacy education in the context of the Orang Asli community and future studies suggest a study on the development of learning modules based on contextual traditional songs of the Orang Asli community as well as the implementation of more comprehensive teacher training. The integration of cultural elements such as the Sewang song is not only able to enhance academic achievement, but is also able to continuously preserve the identity and heritage of the Orang Asli community.