Digital Age: Character Forming Orientation In Early Childhood And Elementary School Education

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Ni Wayan Karmini

Abstract

This study's purpose is to discuss forming orientation of early childhood character of Early Childhood Education Levels (ECEL) and Elementary School (ES) in Denpasar-Bali. This research is qualitative research through document studies, observations, and in-depth interviews with 15 informants, namely parents’ representatives, socio-cultural observers, ECEL, and elementary school educators in the Denpasar-Bali area that were selected by purposive sampling. All data collected was analyzed in a descriptive qualitative way using the School-Based Quality Improvement Management (SBQIM) theory and Bourdieu’s social action theory. The results showed: 1) A new orientation in character shaping early childhood in the digital age is necessary because gadgets in children can potentially interfere with their social-psychological development normally. Following digital age challenges, forming the orientation of early childhood characters includes thought, exercise, sports, and heart care to create healthy, intelligent, honest, and integrity characters, caring, resilient, independent, nationalist, and religious individuals. 2) Strategies for early childhood character-shaping are carried out by; a) performing socialization and acculturating traditional values, among others by introducing understanding and examples of characters' basic values through folklore, traditional games, and cultural arts; b) Teachers and parents intensively accompany children in utilizing gadgets; c) Give examples of examples according to learning concepts that are suitable for character development of these ECEL and elementary school children. To ensure the use of educational gadgets, students' parents need to accompany their children in accessing the internet to support (physical) growth and mental development of children.

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