SOCIAL CHARACTER BUILDING OF YOUNG LEARNERS THROUGH SPORTS ACTIVITIES AT AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION INSTITUTION OF TAMAN FIRDAUS BANDA ACEH

Abstract

Children will grow to become an individual with good characters if they can grow in a pleasant environment. The existence of good character is not automatically owned by individuals but requires a long process through nurturing and education. The purpose of this qualitative research is to determine the impact of sports activities in social character building of young learners. The research was carried out at the Early Childhood Education Institution of Taman Firdaus, Ulee Kareng, Banda Aceh. The data collection was conducted using interview and observation techniques. The Principal and the teachers were the respondents while the children as the object of research. The data analysis technique used in this study was descriptive qualitative based on the Miles and Huberman models which included the stages of data collection, data reduction, data display, drawing conclusions and verification. The results of this study indicate that the implementation of sports activities in the Early Childhood Education Institution of Taman Firdaus can improve the social character values of young learners as tolerant, friendly and communicative. Strengthening children's social character in this institution is carried out in several physical sports activities such as (1) Rhythmic gymnastics practiced by teachers and followed by children, (2) training gross motoric activities using media, (3) word chain games, and (4) imitating dance movements using multimedia.

Keywords: Building Social Character, Young Learners, Sports Activities