Early Childhood Narrative Development: An Analysis of Spontaneous Stories Based on Applebee’s Model

Authors

  • Hani Agustina Universitas Mataram, Mataram, Indonesia
  • Ismail Marzuki Universitas Mataram, Mataram, Indonesia
  • Ahmad Rifa'i Universitas Mataram, Mataram, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53863/jrk.v5i02.2007

Keywords:

narrative development, storytelling, children’s language, Applebee, early childhood

Abstract

This study aims to analyze narrative development in early childhood using Applebee’s narrative development model. The main focus of this research is on a 3-year-and-9-month-old child’s ability to construct narrative structures through spontaneous storytelling that emerges during play. Data were collected through naturalistic observation and audio recording during free play, daily conversations, and storytelling activities. The resulting narratives were transcribed and analyzed using Applebee’s developmental stages: heap, sequence, primitive narrative, and true narrative. The findings indicate that the child’s narrative development varies, ranging from heap and sequence to primitive narrative, with some stories approaching a true narrative structure. This analysis also highlights the importance of symbolic play media and social interaction in supporting children’s narrative development. This research is expected to contribute to the development of language and literacy learning for young children through storytelling approaches

References

Bruner, J. S. (1986). Actual minds, possible worlds. Harvard University Press.

Halliday, M. A. K., & Hasan, R. (1976). Cohesion in English. Longman.

Nelson, K. (2007). Narrative and the emergence of a cognitive self. In Handbook of narrative inquiry: Mapping a methodology (pp. 203–226). Sage Publications.

O’Byrne, W. I., Houser, K., Stone, R., & White, M. (2018). Digital storytelling in early childhood: Student illustrations shaping social interactions. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1800. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01800

Rini, S. A. S., & Mahabbati, A. (2025). Storytelling based on contextual learning with hand puppets in early childhood language development [Metode Storytelling Berbasis Contextual Learning dengan Boneka Tangan pada Perkembangan Bahasa Anak Usia Dini]. Section Innovation in Education, 26(4). https://doi.org/10.21070/ijins.v26i4.1690

Manora, M. (2023). Penggunaan boneka tangan untuk meningkatkan kemampuan storytelling pada anak di TK GMIM Hanna Matani. Jurnal Pendidikan Indonesia (Japendi), 4(7), 722–732. https://doi.org/10.59141/japendi.v4i7.2048

MacWhinney, B. (2000). The CHILDES project: Tools for analyzing talk (3rd ed.). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Nurkhasyanah, A., Hartiningsing, N., Rahayu, E. P., & Rohyana, H. (2023). Pengembangan kemampuan berbahasa lisan melalui metode bercerita dengan media boneka tangan kelompok usia 4–5 tahun. Jurnal Anak Bangsa, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.46306/jas.v3i2.70

Prasetyo, D. E., Handayani, M., & Mahendra, J. (2025). Pengaruh cerita bergambar terhadap peningkatan kemampuan naratif anak TK. Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.61132/jupenbaud.v1i2.45

Riessman, C. K. (2008). Narrative methods for the human sciences. Sage Publications.

Stein, N. L., & Glenn, C. G. (1979). An analysis of story comprehension in elementary school children. In R. O. Freedle (Ed.), New directions in discourse processing (pp. 53–120). Ablex Publishing.

Wahyuni, A., & Hasanah, N. (2023). Pengaruh metode bercerita pada perkembangan bahasa anak usia dini: The effect of storytelling method on early childhood language development. JURNAL TILA (Tarbiyah Islamiyah Lil Athfaal), 3(1), 336–345. https://doi.org/10.56874/tila.v3i1.1255

Published

2025-12-22

How to Cite

Agustina, H., Marzuki, I., & Rifa'i, A. (2025). Early Childhood Narrative Development: An Analysis of Spontaneous Stories Based on Applebee’s Model. Ruang Kata, 5(02), 331–340. https://doi.org/10.53863/jrk.v5i02.2007

Issue

Section

Articles

Categories