Teaching Strategies and Learning Engagement of Kindergarten Learners: Basis for an Enhancement Plan

Abstract

This study examined the teaching strategies employed by kindergarten teachers and their relationship to the learning engagement of kindergarten learners in public elementary schools in San Miguel during the School Year 2025–2026 as basis for a proposed instructional enhancement plan. Using a descriptive-correlational research design, the study described the demographic profile of the teacher-respondents and the extent of teaching strategies employed in terms of play-based activities, instructional materials, storytelling and songs, and teacher–pupil interaction, as well as the level of learners’ engagement in terms of attention, participation, and interest. Correlation analysis was employed to determine the relationship between teaching strategies and learners’ engagement. Data were collected from twenty-one kindergarten teachers using a researcher-modified structured questionnaire. The collected data were statistically treated using frequency and percentage, weighted mean, and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient. Results revealed that the teachers always employed play-based activities, instructional materials, storytelling and songs, and teacher–pupil interaction in classroom instruction. Similarly, kindergarten learners always demonstrated attention, participation, and interest during classroom activities. Significant positive relationships were found between teaching strategies and learners’ participation and interest while the overall level of kindergarten learners’ engagement demonstrated positive relationship with the teaching strategies employed by kindergarten teachers. Among the teaching strategies examined, teacher–pupil interaction demonstrated the strongest relationship with learners’ engagement. It was concluded that developmentally appropriate and learner-centered teaching strategies significantly contribute to enhancing kindergarten learners’ engagement. Consequently, an instructional enhancement plan was proposed to strengthen classroom instructional practices and improve learner engagement among kindergarten learners.