The Language of Poetry and Lexical Competence of Children in Albanian Language

Abstract

Background: Children's literature, particularly poems, holds a pivotal role in shaping language and communication skills and competences. Poetic language serves not only aesthetic, poetic, and social functions but also plays a crucial role in linguistic and cognitive development. It serves as a vibrant and dynamic resource for expanding and enriching the vocabulary of young children, offering diverse linguistic elements and tools. Aim: This study aims to underscore the significance of T. Gjokutaj's poems in enriching the vocabulary of children aged 4-6 years. It investigates how exposure to language-rich poems influences vocabulary acquisition and enhances lexical competence in young children. Participants: The researcher selected a cohort of 30 randomly chosen children aged 4-6 years from Kindergarten No. 5 in Elbasan, Albania. Methods: This research employs both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to examine the relationship between children's exposure to poems and their vocabulary development. Results:The study reveals a robust positive correlation with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.908 between "lexical development mean" and "Poem lexicon". Additionally, the low significance level of 0.012 (sig 2-tailed) attests to the statistical significance of this relationship. Conclusion: These findings shed light on the vital role that poetic language plays in nurturing vocabulary development among preschool children. The research outcomes have valuable implications for educators, parents, and curriculum developers, offering insights into the design of effective strategies and interventions that utilize language-rich poetry to enhance children's vocabulary acquisition.