Enhancing Early Childhood Character Education Values through the Practice Method: A Classroom Action Research Study
Keywords:
character education; practice method; early childhood education; classroom action research; nature-based learning
Abstract
Character education in early childhood has become an increasingly urgent global concern in response to rising behavioral and social problems, including low discipline, independence, responsibility, and cooperation among children. Preliminary observations in Group B of TK Alam Al Khair, Bandar Lampung, Indonesia, revealed that most children remained in the Not Yet Developed (BB) and Beginning to Develop (MB) categories, with only 17% reaching the Developing as Expected (BSH) or Very Well Developed (BSB) categories. This study aimed to improve children's character-education values through a structured, repeated practice (drill) method. A descriptive-qualitative approach combined with a Classroom Action Research (CAR) design following the Kemmis and McTaggart model was employed across two cycles, each comprising planning, acting, observing, and reflecting phases. Participants were 20 children of Group B at TK Alam Al Khair. Data were collected through participatory observation, semi-structured interviews, and documentation, and analyzed using combined qualitative-descriptive and quantitative-descriptive techniques, further strengthened by normalized gain (N-gain) analysis. The results showed that the practice method significantly improved children's character values: the combined BSH+BSB percentage rose from 17% at pre-cycle to 46% in Cycle I and 82% in Cycle II, exceeding the 80% success threshold. Improvements were evident across religious values, independence, discipline, responsibility, and cooperation, with N-gain scores for all five indicators falling in the high-effectiveness category (g > 0.70). The practice method, particularly when combined with visual reinforcement (achievement stars) and contextual, nature-based group projects, proved effective for strengthening character-education values among early childhood learners
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Amalia, D., & Hariyanti, D. P. D. (2022). Analysis of character values in early childhood role-play activities [in Indonesian]. Tinta Emas: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam Anak Usia Dini, 1(1), 73-88. https://doi.org/10.35878/tintaemas/v1.i1.389
Anggraeni, C., Elan, E., & Mulyadi, S. (2021). The habituation method for instilling discipline and responsibility at RA Daarul Falaah, Tasikmalaya [in Indonesian]. Jurnal PAUD Agapedia, 5(1), 100-109. https://doi.org/10.17509/jpa.v5i1.39692
Askia, N., Arina, N., & Fitri, N. (2024). Implementation of rewards through the star-board method to improve discipline in Group B children [in Indonesian]. Lentera Anak, 4(2), 51-66. https://doi.org/10.34001/jla.v4i2.7300
Batubara, L. F., Agustini, R., & Lubis, J. N. (2023). Improving children's social-emotional development through the storytelling method [in Indonesian]. Jurnal Obsesi: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 7(5), 5961-5972. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v7i5.5336
Fadlillah, M., Rahmawati, I. Y., & Setyowahyudi, R. (2022). Cultural-playground design as a medium for instilling patriotism in early childhood [in Indonesian]. Jurnal Obsesi: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 6(4), 3361-3368. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v6i4.2380
Fathurrahman, M. M., Suryana, E., & Zulhijra, Z. (2025). The impact of infant emotional development on social readiness in early grades [in Indonesian]. Murhum: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 6(2), 32-40. https://doi.org/10.37985/murhum.v6i2.1412
Fidesrinur, F., Fitria, N., & Lestari, A. (2023). Implementation of moral learning in children aged 4-6 years [in Indonesian]. Jurnal Obsesi: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 7(2), 2225-2234. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v7i2.4312
Gustira, A., Nurani, Y., & Wulan, S. (2023). The traditional gobak sodor adventure game and problem-solving ability [in Indonesian]. Jurnal Obsesi: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v7i1.4071
Hake, R. R. (1998). Interactive-engagement versus traditional methods: A six-thousand-student survey of mechanics test data for introductory physics courses. American Journal of Physics, 66(1), 64-74. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.18809
Harahap, F., Siregar, R., & Lubis, J. N. (2023). Playing with kinetic sand to enhance early childhood creativity [in Indonesian]. Jurnal Obsesi: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 7(5), 5931-5941. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v7i5.5365
Hardiansyah, D., Rohman, A., & Deviyanti, E. (2021). Development of a garden-based learning model to improve early childhood prosocial behavior [in Indonesian]. Jurnal Obsesi: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 6(3), 1576-1587. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v6i3.1728
Jaedun, A., & Manaf, A. (2020). Dimensions of early childhood character education based on multicultural and community local wisdom. International Journal of Instruction, 13(2), 365-380. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1249087
Jurnal Riset Multidisiplin Edukasi. (2025). Implementation of the habituation method in developing discipline character in early childhood at TK Al-Azhar II Tebo [in Indonesian]. Jurnal Riset Multidisiplin Edukasi, 2(12), 792-804. https://doi.org/10.71282/jurmie.v2i12.1366
Kartikasari, D., & Muthmainah, M. (2023). The effect of parental coping-skills training on children's emotional intelligence and social skills [in Indonesian]. Jurnal Obsesi: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 7(5), 5506-5522. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v7i5.5100
Lestari, S., & Fathiyah, K. N. (2023). Analysis of learning in improving independence in children aged 5-6 years [in Indonesian]. Jurnal Obsesi: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 7(1), 398-405. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v7i1.3693
Machali, I. (2022). How should teachers conduct classroom action research? [in Indonesian]. Indonesian Journal of Action Research, 1(2), 315-327. https://doi.org/10.14421/ijar.2022.12-21
Mashudi, A. (2024). Teacher-parent partnership in forming responsible character in children aged 5-6 years [in Indonesian]. Murhum: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 5(2), 739-753.
Masrifah, R. (2021). The role of parents and early-childhood institutions in implementing pesantren-based moral education for children at the beginning of school age [in Indonesian]. Transformasi: Jurnal Kepemimpinan & Pendidikan Islam, 4(2), 30-41. https://doi.org/10.47945/transformasi.v4i2.396
Mudayanti, M., & Jumiatin, D. (2025). Implementation of the habituation method to develop discipline in early childhood at kindergarten [in Indonesian]. Ceria (Cerdas Energik Responsif Inovatif Adaptif), 8(1), 17-25. https://doi.org/10.22460/ceria.v8i1.26494
Ningsih, K. A., Prasetyo, I., & Hasanah, D. F. (2022). Early childhood character education through natural-material learning centers [in Indonesian]. Jurnal Obsesi: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 6(3), 1093-1104. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v6i1.1172
Nisa, A. R., Patonah, P., Prihatiningrum, Y., & Rohita, R. (2021). Social-emotional development in children aged 4-5 years: A review of the self-awareness aspect [in Indonesian]. Jurnal Anak Usia Dini Holistik Integratif (AUDHI), 4(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.36722/jaudhi.v4i1.696
Oktaviana, A., & Munastiwi, E. (2021). The role of the family environment in early childhood play activities during the COVID-19 pandemic [in Indonesian]. Jurnal Golden Age, 5(2), 435-445. https://doi.org/10.53977/kumarottama.v2i1.514
Rukiyati, R., Siswoyo, D., & Hendrowibowo, L. (2023). Early childhood moral-value education in Islamic-based kindergartens [in Indonesian]. Jurnal Obsesi: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 7(4), 4709-4721. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v7i4.4680
Salam, A., Ikhwanuddin, I., & Jamilah, S. J. (2022). Early childhood character education [in Indonesian]. PELANGI: Jurnal Pemikiran dan Penelitian Islam Anak Usia Dini, 4(1), 50-60. https://doi.org/10.52266/pelangi.v4i1.816
Sinta, L., Malaikosa, Y. M. L., & Supriyanto, D. H. (2022). Implementation of character-education reinforcement among lower-grade elementary students [in Indonesian]. Jurnal Obsesi: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 6(4). https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v6i4.2326
Umah, K. K., & Rakimahwati, R. (2021). Development of children's creativity through magic-sand play in kindergarten [in Indonesian]. Aulad: Journal on Early Childhood, 4(1), 28-36. https://doi.org/10.31004/aulad.v4i1.86
Wahyuni, W., & Al Rasyid, H. (2022). The effect of habituation, emotional intelligence, and parental support on children's independence [in Indonesian]. Jurnal Obsesi: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 6(4), 3034-3049. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v6i4.2301
Yao, Z., & Enright, R. (2022). Social class and prosocial behavior in early adolescence: The moderating roles of family and school factors. Journal of Moral Education, 52(3), 310-324. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057240.2022.2031920
Published
2026-10-06
How to Cite
Lismayanti, L., Reiska Primanisa, & Agus Jatmiko. (2026). Enhancing Early Childhood Character Education Values through the Practice Method: A Classroom Action Research Study. International Journal of Education, Vocational and Social Science , 5(04), 2657-2678. https://doi.org/10.63922/ijevss.v5i04.6526
Contact Person +6282139474255
Email : ijevss@citakonsultindo.or.id / editor.ijevss@gmail.com
