As the demands of educational world, which emphasizes the importance of problem-solving skills, social studies learning needs to be optimized to equip students with relevant skills for overcoming challenges in society. This study aims to design and develop teaching materials that apply self-directed learning, and also to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of these teaching materials in the context of social studies learning. The form of teaching materials in this study consist of a Student Book and a Teacher Book designed using an approach that emphasizes the development of students’ independence in the learning process. By producing a product that aligns with students’ needs, Research and Development (R&D) employs in this study. In the process of developing teaching materials, media expert and subject matter expert are involved to ensure the quality and success of the products. The effectiveness of the learning materials was tested through an experiment two seventh-grade classes at SMP Negeri 3 Ungaran. This study demonstrates that teaching materials applying self-directed learning can enhance students’ problem-solving skills. This finding is supported by statistical tests confirming the effectiveness of these teaching materials in achieving learning objectives.

The high unemployment rate in Indonesia has led many women to choose to work as female migrant workers abroad to overcome their family's economic limitations. This decision not only leads to financial improvements but also brings social changes, especially in childcare. Children abandoned by mothers who work as migrant workers often have difficulty establishing social relationships and receiving adequate emotional support. This study aims to analyze the social behavior of junior high school students in Bawang Sub-district, Batang Regency, who were abandoned by their mothers who work as female migrant workers. The research method used aqualitative approach with a case study through in-depth interviews and observations of children from female migrant workers' families. The results showed that children from female migrant families often have difficulty establishing social relationships due to the lack of direct control and emotional attention from their mothers who work abroad. The study concluded that although the mother's departure helps economically, the challenges in the care and social development of the children were issues that need to be considered. This research contributed to understanding the social impact of the female migrant worker's departure phenomenon on children's behavior.