STRENGTHENING THE RELIGIOUS CHARACTERS OF YOUNG LEARNERS AT ISLAMIC INTEGRATED PRESCHOOL OF MON KUTA BANDA ACEH

Abstract

This study describes the strategies carried out by teachers in strengthening the religious character of young learners at Islamic Integrated Preschool of MON KUTA Banda Aceh. The techniques of data collection were directed through observation in the school environment on how the strategies carried out by teachers in strengthening religious character and interviewing teachers and principals about the programs held by schools in strengthening religious character to students. The data in this study were analyzed by using descriptive qualitative. The results of the study show that the strategies applied in strengthening religious character in Islamic Integrated Preschool of MON KUTA Banda Aceh are daily programs, weekly programs, monthly programs, and yearly programs. The daily programs are in the form of habits in daily activities such as greeting when coming and going home from school, reading prayers before and after doing an activity, repeating the hadith and the name of the Prophet and loving one another. The weekly activities are in the form of performing the Dhuha prayer which is held every Friday and giving Infaq. The monthly activities in the form of visiting the mosques around Banda Aceh depend on the theme being studied in order to introduce children to houses of worship and practice worship directly in the mosque. The annual activities are in the form of Hajj rituals which held at the Hajj hostel, celebrations of Islamic holidays such as the 1 Muharram’s carnival, and the celebration of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad SAW.

Keywords: Strengthening, Religious Character, Early Childhood