THE USAGE OF 'GAP PENCIL' TECHNIQUE IN TEACHING EARLY WRITING SKILLS AMONG THE PRE-SCHOOLERS

Abstract

This study has been conducted among the pre-schoolers who are experiencing problems at the initial stage of writing skill with the aid of ‘Gap Pencil’ technique. The usage of ‘Gap Pencil’ technique is considered as an innovative method in assisting the learners who could not write well, as for instance, inapt spacing in writing simpler sentences, writing outside the provided lines and various sizes of letter blocks in writing. This qualitative research is carried out with several methodologies via tests, observations, documents analysis and interviews on the four samplings at Tuaran district pre-school, Sabah. The collected data is thereafter analysed with descriptive analysis as to tabulate the outcome of the results which are based on the percentage, achievement tests and summary aspects. The findings reveal that the four samplings have shown improvement on their writing skill based on the conducted achievement tests. They are able to write neatly: balanced spacing in writing simpler words in easier sentences, writing the letter blocks in equivalent size, and writing within the provided lines. Thus, the usage of ‘Gap Pencil’ technique has been viewed as an effective early writing skill among the pre-schoolers and could also be applicable for other related problems in writing.