Publication Search

In early childhood education (ECE), the integration of hermeneutics provides opportunities for students to cultivate positive character rooted in moral values and broaden their understanding of the meaning of stories. Hermeneutics is not only used to interpret texts; it is also a dialogical approach that encourages children to think about meaning, characters, values, and moral messages thru questioning, interpreting, and connecting stories to everyday life. The purpose of this article is to explain the concept of hermeneutics in early childhood education, how it can be applied in story-based learning, and how it impacts children's character development. The study shows that hermeneutics enhances early critical literacy, empathy, self-control, and moral choices. This article provides new guidance for educators on how to design story-based learning, which is a significant interpretive process and more than just knowledge transfer. This article provides new guidance for educators on how to create story-based learning, which is an interpretive process essential for character development, not just knowledge transfer.

Early Childhood Education (ECE) is an important stage in shaping a child's personality and character. At this point, the story serves as the primary tool for conveying principles, ethics, and the meaning of life. However, the process of interpreting stories often overlooks cognitive aspects and lacks focus on children's character development. The purpose of this article is to study how hermeneutic principles are used in early childhood education, with a particular emphasis on how stories function as a tool for shaping children's character. The hermeneutic method allows educators to interpret stories contextually, dialogically, and reflectively. This allows children to understand and internalize the principles contained in the story. This research utilizes a qualitative-descriptive literature study on hermeneutic literature, character education, and early childhood pedagogy. The results indicate that hermeneutics, employing principles such as the hermeneutic circle, dialog of meaning, and contextualization of stories, significantly enhances honesty, empathy, responsibility, and religious attitudes in early childhood. Thus, hermeneutics is not only relevant in adult text research, but also effective as a pedagogical method in teaching early childhood.

This research examines the practices of a B4 class teacher at RA Takhrimah Tungkop in identifying children’s Multiple Intelligences (MI) through authentic observation during an activity of printing moon shapes using banana stems. The study employed a descriptive qualitative approach with data collected through in-depth interviews and participatory observation. Data were analyzed thematically and supported by source and technique triangulation to ensure the validity of the findings. The results indicate that the teacher’s understanding of the MI concept was still focused on linguistic, logical-mathematical, and visual-spatial intelligences. Despite this limited conceptual scope, the implementation of authentic observation during the art-based activity successfully revealed a broader range of children’s intelligences. The moon-printing activity demonstrated indicators of visual-spatial intelligence through shape recognition and composition, bodily-kinesthetic intelligence through hand–eye coordination and motor control, and intrapersonal intelligence reflected in children’s ability to manage emotions, maintain focus, and show persistence during the task. Repeated observations accompanied by anecdotal records enabled the teacher to construct individual and continuous MI profiles for each child. These profiles can be utilized to design more varied, contextual, and child-centered learning strategies that align with the characteristics of early childhood learners in the Raudhatul Athfal setting. The practices observed also illustrate the connection between Gardner’s MI theory and Islamic early childhood education grounded in concrete learning activities. The findings support the development of child-friendly learning environments and encourage teacher creativity in conducting activity-based assessments. This study recommends strengthening teacher competencies through training in authentic MI assessment and further research using a research and development approach.

This journal analyzes sexual violence by educators against students by analyzing Supreme Court Decision No. 5642 K/Pid.Sus/2022 using normative legal research methods. The primary focus of this research is the abuse of power relations by perpetrators holding positions of authority, as well as the legal protections afforded to child victims. Furthermore, this paper compares the provisions on sexual violence in the Child Protection Law and the Sexual Violence Criminal Law (UU TPKS). The findings indicate that courts impose harsher sentences on perpetrators who abuse their trust as educators and place victims at the center of the legal process, ensuring guarantees of recovery, psychological rehabilitation, restitution, and the right to education. The judges' approach in the ruling also reflects the spirit and principles of victim protection as outlined in the TPKS Law, including recognition of power dynamics, psychological pressure, and the importance of a victim-centered perspective. The TPKS Law expands the scope of sexual violence beyond physical aspects to include psychological and structural dimensions, which were previously not clearly regulated in other laws.  Therefore, this paper emphasizes the importance of harmonizing the two laws to create a more just, progressive, and victim-centered legal system, especially for children in educational settings. This research is expected to contribute to strengthening a more comprehensive and child-oriented legal approach.

Advances in in vitro fertilization (IVF) technology have expanded the scope of reproductive interventions, from simply addressing infertility to enabling genetic selection of embryos through preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). This advancement not only enables the detection and prevention of severe genetic diseases, but also opens up opportunities for the selection of non-medical traits such as intelligence potential, physical characteristics, or specific polygenic scores, giving rise to the phenomenon of “designer babies.” This development presents complex bioethical issues related to human dignity, social justice, biological safety, and the right of children to have an open future. This paper aims to analyze the ethical issues of selecting non-medical characteristics of embryos in modern IVF through a literature review using a biomedical ethics framework, including the principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. The findings show that the application of technology for non-medical purposes is still fraught with scientific risks, biological uncertainties, the potential for commercialization of humans, and the threat of socio-biological inequality. This analysis emphasizes the need to restrict the use of technology to clear medical indications, increase regulation and governance, and involve the public in policy formulation. Thus, advances in reproductive technology must be accompanied by strict ethical considerations so as not to sacrifice individual dignity and the value of justice in society.

Early childhood (0–6 years) is a critical period in human development, often referred to as the golden age, during which all aspects of development, including language and vocabulary, grow rapidly. However, based on preliminary observations at TK Merpati, Simpang Sungai Rengas District, the vocabulary skills of children aged 4–5 years were still relatively low. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of papercraft puppet media in improving the vocabulary skills of children aged 4–5 years at TK Merpati, Simpang Sungai Rengas District. The research employed a classroom action research design conducted in three cycles. The subjects consisted of 17 children aged 4–5 years. Data were collected through observation sheets, and data analysis was carried out by comparing the percentage of children’s vocabulary achievement before and after the implementation of the papercraft puppet media in each cycle. The results indicated a significant improvement in children’s vocabulary skills. In the pre-action stage, children’s achievement was categorized as Not Yet Developed (NYD) with a percentage of 30%. In Cycle I, the percentage increased to 50% (Beginning to Develop). In Cycle II, it further improved to 76% (Developed as Expected). In Cycle III, the results reached 95% (Very Well Developed). These findings demonstrate that papercraft puppet media is effective in enhancing vocabulary development in early childhood.

This study aims to examine the biblical foundation in the learning of Bible-based preschool children with a contextual learning approach. The research method used is topical research, which focuses on developing education and learning that is relevant to daily life so that children more easily absorb material according to learning goals. The learning process starts from simple things to more complex things, according to the stage of early childhood development. The results of the study show that Bible-based preschool learning includes various activities, including: educating children with a biblical foundation, introducing the Bible through number ordering, arranging the biblical alphabet, combining letters into words, arranging words into biblical phrases, reading Bible texts, memorizing short golden verses, and learning activities such as coloring and listening to Bible stories. These findings confirm that Bible-based learning with a contextual approach can be an effective strategy in shaping the spiritual, cognitive, and character foundations of preschoolers, while instilling faith values from an early age.

Understanding God in Christian education plays a crucial role in the moral formation of children, as the theological concept of God forms the foundation for values, character, and ethical actions, developed from an early age. In Christian education, the process of moral formation does not simply rely on rules or customs, but rather rests on the child's personal relationship with God as a loving, guiding Being, and the source of truth. This study uses qualitative methods with a library research approach to explore how the concept of God according to Christian theology can serve as a foundation for the comprehensive moral formation of children. The aim of this study is to analyze how God's attributes such as love, holiness, justice, and faithfulness can be applied in the educational process so that the moral values formed are not formalistic but grow from a deep spiritual awareness. The research findings show that a proper understanding of God helps children recognize moral standards rooted in God's character, develop ethical attitudes, and strengthen the internal drive to live according to His will. This research is also expected to contribute to Christian educators in developing theological, contextual, and effective learning strategies to continuously cultivate children's morality in accordance with the principles of the Christian faith.

The purpose of this study was to determine how puzzle games affect the problem-solving abilities of early childhood children. This study used quantitative methods and a quasi-experimental design. The study involved children aged 4 to 6 years from various early childhood education institutions (PAUD). Purposive sampling was used to collect samples. Data were collected through pre-tests and post-tests of problem-solving abilities and observations of children's behavior while playing puzzles. Logical thinking, creativity, concentration, focus, use of problem-solving strategies, and willingness to learn were all metrics used for assessment. To determine the differences in abilities before and after treatment, the collected data were analyzed statistically. The results of the study showed that puzzle game intervention improved children's problem-solving abilities. Children learned to identify problems, make plans for solutions, and work independently. In addition, it was proven that puzzle games as a learning medium were more effective with the help and guidance of teachers and parents. According to this study, puzzle games are an effective tool for developing the cognitive, social, and emotional abilities of early childhood.

The purpose of this study was to examine how problem-based mathematics learning affected the learning interest of 5- to 6-year-old students at the Ki Hajar Dewantara State Kindergarten in South Jakarta. To compare problem-based mathematics learning and conventional learning, this study used a quantitative method and a quasi-experimental design. Problem-based learning is intended to use mathematical problems in children's daily lives. Children in group B were divided into experimental and control groups. To collect data, structured observations were conducted on elements of children's interest in learning. These included enjoyment, focus, activity, and willingness to participate in learning activities. To determine the difference in the level of interest in learning between the two groups, the data obtained was analyzed statistically. The results showed that, compared to conventional learning, problem-based mathematics learning had a significant effect on increasing children's interest in learning. Children showed more enthusiasm, better concentration, active involvement in activities, and critical thinking skills in solving mathematical problems. The results showed that effective problem-based mathematics learning made learning meaningful, enjoyable, and appropriate for the characteristics of early childhood development.

The establishment of the age limit for children up to 18 years in Indonesian law is a normative instrument that aims to ensure legal certainty and child protection. This provision is adopted in various laws and regulations as a form of the state's commitment to fulfilling children's rights. However, in law enforcement practice, the application of this age limit often causes problems when faced with the dynamics of actual cases that reveal a discrepancy between the normative age and the social, psychological, and factual conditions of the child. This condition creates tension between the legal-formal approach that emphasizes legal certainty and the need for substantive justice oriented towards the best interests of the child. This study aims to analyze the problems of applying the age limit of 18 years in the context of actual cases and to examine how the tension between legal certainty and the reality of children is reflected in law enforcement practices in Indonesia. The research method used is normative legal research with a legislative and conceptual approach, as well as normative qualitative analysis. The results of the study show that the rigid application of the age limit for children has the potential to ignore the contextual aspects of children and give rise to inconsistencies in practice. Therefore, a more contextual legal approach is needed through strengthening the discretion of law enforcement officials and progressive interpretation by judges in order to achieve substantive justice and optimal protection for children.

This study investigates how puzzle games affect the fine motor development of young children. This study uses a quantitative approach and a quasi-experimental design. The study involved 30 children aged between 4 and 6 years who were divided into two groups: an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group received an intervention in the form of puzzle-playing activities for four weeks, with an interval of two to three times a week. On the other hand, the control group did not receive any special treatment for routine learning activities. To collect data, standardized fine motor skills test instruments were used. These included eye-hand coordination, finger movement control, precision, and the ability to assemble and copy shapes. A t-test was used to analyze the data to determine the difference in results between the two groups. The results of the study showed that the experimental group and the control group differed significantly. Compared to children who did not receive treatment, children who were involved in puzzle-playing activities showed greater improvement in all fine motor indicators. The results show that puzzle games can be used effectively as a learning tool to help the fine motor development of early childhood develop well.

Bullying in Indonesian educational settings remains a serious problem that requires widespread attention. Poor legal understanding among children and adolescents, coupled with suboptimal child protection regulations, increases the risk of violence in schools. To address this issue, a "Fight Bullying" outreach program was conducted in Sumeith Pasinaro Village, aimed at improving students' understanding of the definition, forms, impacts, and legal consequences of bullying. This program utilized a qualitative descriptive approach and a participatory education model, involving 47 students from Sumeith Pasinaro Elementary School and Elpaputih 2 Junior High School. The methods employed included material delivery, interactive discussions, and assessments to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the legal education provided. The evaluation results showed a significant increase in students' understanding of bullying, with an average level of understanding reaching 80.83%. Students were able not only to identify the types of bullying but also to understand the long-term impacts on both victims and perpetrators. This outreach program also helped students understand the legal regulations governing bullying and encouraged them to report or stop such acts. This program emphasizes the importance of a planned and sustainable approach involving teachers and parents to prevent bullying, as well as creating a safe learning environment and supporting child protection.

This parenting seminar was designed to increase parents' capacity to understand and implement integrative holistic parenting, encompassing education, health, nutrition, and psychosocial aspects of children. An integrative holistic approach is considered important because child growth and development are influenced not only by formal education but also by health conditions, adequate nutrition, and emotional and social support from the family environment. This activity aims to provide comprehensive education to parents so they can carry out their parenting role optimally and sustainably. The activity was implemented using an interactive seminar method involving the delivery of material by competent speakers in the fields of childcare, education, and health, accompanied by discussions and a question-and-answer session that encouraged active participant participation. The material presented focused on understanding the concept of integrative holistic parenting, strategies for implementing positive parenting patterns, and the role of parents in supporting children's physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development. The results of the activity showed a significant increase in parents' knowledge, understanding, and attitudes regarding the importance of comprehensive and integrated parenting. Parents became more aware of their role as key figures in shaping character and optimizing children's potential from an early age. This seminar made a real contribution in equipping parents to be able to create a healthy, safe, and supportive parenting environment. This activity is expected to become a model for developing parental capacity in a sustainable manner with an integrative holistic approach as the key to successful child growth and development.

This study aims to examine the use of piggy banks as a means of financial literacy education among elementary school students. Piggy piggy banks are seen as a simple but effective learning medium in instilling the habit of saving, managing money, and forming a frugal character from an early age. Through a qualitative descriptive approach, this research involves students, teachers, and parents as the main data source with interview and observation techniques. The results of the study show that the use of piggy banks not only increases children's understanding of the concept of money and economic value, but also fosters financial responsibility and awareness from an early age. Teachers play an important role in providing direction and assistance, while the role of parents is a reinforcement of the practice of saving at home. In addition, saving through piggy banks has been proven to increase motivation to learn, because children feel that they have financial goals that they want to achieve. Education through piggy banks is the first step in building a strong financial literacy foundation, so that children are used to planning their money wisely and consistently. Thus, piggy banks can be used as effective contextual learning innovations at the elementary school level.

Stunting remains one of the major chronic nutritional problems in Indonesia, including in Oesapa Village, Kelapa Lima District, Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara Province. This condition is not only caused by inadequate nutritional intake but is also closely related to chronic infections resulting from poor hygiene and sanitation, particularly intestinal parasitic diseases. To reduce the risk of parasitic infections and improve children’s nutritional status, preventive efforts through education and health promotion are essential.This community service activity aimed to increase public awareness and knowledge, especially among parents and caregivers of stunted children, regarding the importance of maintaining hygiene and sanitation to prevent intestinal parasitic diseases. The methods used included participatory approaches such as interactive lectures, group discussions, and practical demonstrations of clean and healthy living behavior (PHBS), food hygiene, clean water management, and household waste disposal. Evaluation was conducted using pre-test and post-test instruments to measure changes in participants’ knowledge.The activities, carried out from May to September 2025 in Oesapa Village, showed a significant improvement in community understanding of hygiene and sanitation practices. Participants demonstrated greater commitment to maintaining environmental cleanliness and adopting healthier daily behaviors. Continuous educational efforts and multisectoral support are needed to help reduce the prevalence of stunting in the region

Toddler age is often called the golden period because during this period brain nerve development occurs, especially myelination, as well as a critical period. The golden period can be achieved if toddlers' nutritional needs are optimally met. On the other hand, if babies and toddlers do not get the food they need, the golden period will change into a critical period, thus disrupting their growth and development. The level of education of parents will affect the health and well-being of children, because this is inseparable from the nutritional status of children. Mothers with a high level of education will have a clearer opportunity to absorb information compared to mothers with less or no education. With a good level of education, it is hoped that a mother will be willing and able to behave well in order to improve her child's nutritional status. This Community Service activity aims to provide health education on balanced nutrition to reduce stunting in the community, especially mothers with toddlers in Desa Cangguk, Kecamatan Tanah Pasir, Kabupaten Aceh Utara. This activity used a participatory approach involving lecturers, students, health workers, and the community. The results showed an increase in public understanding and awareness of stunting prevention. It is hoped that this activity will raise public awareness about balanced nutrition for children

This study discusses in depth the factors that cause and efforts to overcome the crime of trafficking in persons (TPPO) in the jurisdiction of the East Nusa Tenggara Police (NTT), which is known to have the highest number of trafficking cases in Indonesia. Using a juridical-empirical approach through interviews with nine resource persons consisting of law enforcement officials, women and child protection institutions, and the community, this study shows that although the substance of the law is quite adequate, its implementation is still weak and has not been able to cause a deterrent effect for perpetrators. Limited human resources, supporting facilities, and weak coordination between institutions are the main obstacles in the law enforcement process. Countermeasures are carried out through three main aspects, namely preemptive (counseling, socialization, and community economic empowerment), preventive (port supervision, formation of a monitoring team for illegal job vacancies, and cross-sector cooperation), and repressive (investigation, arrest, and legal process against perpetrators). This research also emphasizes the importance of increasing the capacity of the apparatus, synergy between agencies, and public education as sustainable steps in reducing the number of trafficking and protecting victims as a whole.

The 2025 UINSU Community Service Program research in Sempajaya Village was carried out through training in making ecoprint tote bags as an effort to develop creativity while strengthening the economic literacy of elementary school children. This activity utilized natural materials such as leaves and flowers commonly found in the village environment, so that children could learn to recognize the potential of their natural surroundings as a source of creative works with practical and economic value. The training was conducted in three main stages: preparation, implementation, and reflection. During the implementation stage, children were introduced to the concept of ecoprinting, pounding techniques, and the steps involved in making ecoprinted tote bags through lectures, question and answer sessions, and hands-on practice. The results of the activity showed an increase in the participants' creativity, as evident in their ability to arrange motifs, select natural materials, and produce tote bags with attractive patterns. In addition, this activity also fostered a basic understanding of the economic value of creative products, thereby supporting the formation of independence and an entrepreneurial spirit from an early age. The reflection stage showed that the children were able to identify the process, benefits, and challenges they faced. Thus, ecoprint tote bags proved to be an effective educational tool in integrating creativity, economic literacy, and love for the environment for the children of Sempajaya Village.

This study aims to determine the effect of Islamic behavior modification strategies through reward implementation on improving children's discipline in early spiritual activities at TK Unggulan An-Nur Surabaya. A quantitative approach was used with the Equivalent Time Sample Design involving 13 children aged 5–6 years. Observations were conducted over three weeks using indicators such as punctuality, attentiveness in prayer sessions, neat sitting, and memorization of short surahs and prayers. The results showed an increase in discipline scores during the first and second weeks when rewards were given, but a decline in the third week when rewards were withheld. These findings indicate that Islamic behavior modification strategies through rewards significantly improve young children’s discipline. Additionally, the effectiveness of the strategy depends on each child’s characteristics and the consistency of reward implementation. The findings support Skinner's reinforcement theory, asserting that positive behavior can be cultivated through proper reinforcement, particularly within the context of Islamic early childhood education.