Efforts to Improve Gross Motor Skills through Traditional Games in Children Aged 5-6 Years

Abstract

This study aims to improve the gross motor skills of children aged 5–6 years through traditional games at Bestari Early Childhood Education (PAUD), Tangerang City. This study uses a Classroom Action Research (CAR) design with the Kurt Lewin model consisting of four stages: planning, implementation, observation, and reflection. The research participants were 10 children (8 boys and 2 girls). Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation, and analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The results showed a significant increase in children's gross motor skills, namely from 68.1% in Cycle I to 77.2% in Cycle II, which is categorized as Very Good Development (BBI) . Traditional games such as hopscotch and coconut shell stilts effectively stimulate children's locomotor, non-locomotor, and manipulative movements. In addition, these activities foster cooperation, discipline, and responsibility, which are in line with Islamic educational values. Therefore, traditional games can be an innovative play-based learning model and support the development of an early childhood curriculum rooted in local wisdom and Islamic spirituality.