Implementation of Environment-Based Learning Methods to Improve Early Childhood Creativity

Abstract

This research describes the results of environment-based learning to increase the creativity of early childhood in the era of freedom to play. Creativity is a manifestation of a fully functioning individual, with creativity enabling humans to improve the quality of their lives. Creativity can be increased through the use of the environment and natural materials. The research subjects consisted of early childhood children group B aged 5-6 years at Al Falah PAUD Gunung Sitoli City. Data collection was carried out using observation, interviews and documentation techniques. Analysis of data obtained in the field takes the form of observation results sheets, interview notes, and documents relevant to the research focus. The method used is qualitative. The number of research subjects was 20 early childhood children and 3 educators as informants. Based on the research results, it can improve the creative abilities of young children, such as in the activities: (1) Children observe the rimbang tree, then the teacher helps spark children’s knowledge about what they observe. Children are invited to pick fruits and flowers around them, children are given the freedom to choose and make choices which of course have an impact on their creative abilities, which flowers to pick and how to pick them;

(2) children experiment with brewing butterfly pea flowers to make herbal drinks; and (3) Children count and form letters and numbers using natural materials that they collect according to each child’s creativity. Overall, observations of children as well as the results of interviews with class teachers and school principals include creativity, imagination and the ability of children to produce work in early childhood.