ENHANCING EARLY NUMERACY SKILLS IN 5-6 YEAR-OLD PRESCHOOLERS THROUGH TRADITIONAL GAMES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25078/pw.v10i1.4479Keywords:
Traditional Games, Numerical Skills, Children Aged 5-6 YearsAbstract
Early childhood numerical skills are a significant factor in academic readiness. A traditional game-based approach is an effective strategy for engagingly enhancing numerical skills. This study explores using traditional games to support the numerical development of 5-6-year-old children at RA Daarul Muqimien. A qualitative and case study approach was employed to collect data through interviews, observations, and documentation. The participants of this study consisted of three teachers, three parents and three children. Data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis techniques to identify emerging patterns. The results showed that traditional games such as Snakes and Ladders, Congklak, and Engklek were used to improve number recognition, addition, subtraction, and forward and backward counting. In addition, these games contribute positively to children’s cognitive, social and motor development. Teachers play a role in adapting the games, while parents support them through guidance at home. The game promotes social interaction and cooperation among children. While there are challenges, such as limited focus and mentoring time, this approach facilitates an engaging learning experience. This research contributes to developing traditional game-based numerical learning methods with adaptations that address children’s needs.
References
Astarina, A. N., Zuraida, I., Hendar, H., Heryono, H., & L. Sujatna, M. (2023). Sundanese Traditional Games As Media for Promoting Children’S Cognitive, Affective and Psychomotor Development in Cikaum Subang. Journal Sampurasun : Interdisciplinary Studies for Cultural Heritage, 9(Vol. 9 No. 1 2023), 33–44. https://doi.org/10.23969/sampurasun.v9i1.7301
Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a Unifying Theory of Behaviorial Change (Vol. 84, Issue 2). https://educational-innovation.sydney.edu.au/news/pdfs/Bandura 1977.pdf
Benavides-Varela, S., Butterworth, B., Burgio, F., Arcara, G., Lucangeli, D., & Semenza, C. (2016). Numerical activities and information learned at home link to the exact numeracy skills in 5-6 years-old children. Frontiers in Psychology, 7(February). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00094
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2023). Research Design, Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. In SAGE Publications,Inc.: Vol. Sixth Edit (Issue 1). https://medium.com/@arifwicaksanaa/pengertian-use-case-a7e576e1b6bf
Dillon, M. R., Kannan, H., Dean, J. T., Spelke, E. S., & Duflo, E. (2017). Cognitive science in the field: A preschool intervention durably enhances intuitive but not formal mathematics. Science, 55(July), 47–55.
Fajri, Z., Mutmainah, N., & Sajuri. (2023). Peningkatan Kemampuan Berhitung Menggunakan Pembelajaran Kooperatif Berbantuan Media Permainan Ular Tangga Di KB AN Nawawi Bondowoso. Jurnal Tarbiyah Islamiyah, 8(April), 79–102.
Furió, D., Juan, M. C., Seguí, I., & Vivó, R. (2015). Mobile learning vs. traditional classroom lessons: A comparative study. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 31(3), 189–201. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12071
Ginsburg, K. R., Shifrin, D. L., Broughton, D. D., Dreyer, B. P., Milteer, R. M., Mulligan, D. A., Nelson, K. G., Altmann, T. R., Brody, M., Shuffett, M. L., Wilcox, B., Kolbaba, C., Noland, V. L., Tharp, M., Coleman, W. L., Earls, M. F., Goldson, E., Hausman, C. L., Siegel, B. S., Smith, K. (2007). The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent-child bonds. Pediatrics, 119(1), 182–191. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2006-2697
Harahap, D. P. (2023). Cognitive behavioral therapy and traditional cooperative games in improving social skills: A single-subject experimental study. INSPIRA: Indonesian Journal of Psychological Research, 4(1), 29–40. https://doi.org/10.32505/inspira.v4i1.5434
Iswinarti. (2022). The effect of traditional game Congklak Lidi with BERLIAN method to improve honest attitude to the children. Psychological Journal: Science and Practice, 1(2), 61–67. https://doi.org/10.22219/pjsp.v1i2.19615
Junaidi, R. (2020). Persekitaran Kanak-kanak: Satu Penelitian Terhadap Novel Kanak-kanak Terpilih. Pendeta Journal of Malay Language, Education and Literature, 11(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.37134/pendeta.vol11.1.1.2020
Kumala, I. A. M. W., Sueca, I. N., & Parsua, G. R. (2021). Pembentukan karakter Anak Melalui Permainan Tradisional Goak Maling Taluh Di Tk Werdhi Kumara Punggul Badung. PRATAMA WIDYA: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, Spesial(Desember), 32–37.
Lestari, F., Djamil, M., & Wiyatini, T. (2022). Development of the Traditional Engklek Game Model to Improve Dental and Oral Disease Prevention Behavior in Elementary School Children. Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics, 12(5), 98–102. https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v12i5.5667
Lestari, P. I., & Prima, E. (2017). The Implementation of Traditional Games to Improve the Social Emotional Early Childhood. Journal of Educational Science and Technology (EST), 3(3), 178–184. http://ojs.unm.ac.id/index.php/JEST/article/view/4212/pdf_54
McMillin, S. E., Hall, L., Bultas, M. W., Grafeman, S. E., Wilmott, J., Maxim, R., & Zand, D. H. (2015). Knowledge of child development as a predictor of mother-child play interactions. Clinical Pediatrics, 54(11), 1117–1119. https://doi.org/10.1177/0009922815581763
Melianasari, H., & Suparno, S. (2018). The Importance of Traditional Games to Improve Children’s Interpersonal Skill. 4th International Conference on Early Childhood Education. Semarang Early Childhood Research and Education Talks (SECRET): Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 249, 181–186. https://doi.org/10.2991/secret-18.2018.29
Montessori, M. (1912). The Montessori Method, Scientific Pedagogy as Applied to Child Education in “The Children’s Houses” with Additions and Revisions by The Author. (A. E. George, Trans) (2nd ed.). Frederick A.Stokes Company (Original Work Published 1912). https://perso.telecom-paristech.fr/rodrigez/resources/PEDAGO/montessori_works.pdf
Muammar Qadafi, Nani Husnaini, & Leni Sasriani. (2023). Penanaman Nilai Karakter Anak Melalui Permainan Tradisional Sumbawa Di Tk Pgri Ongko. Pratama Widya: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 8(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.25078/pw.v8i1.2208
Muthmainah, F. (2022). Increasing Early Childhood Creativity and Fine Motor Abilities Using Traditional Games (Bermain Lempung) in The Digital Age. KnE Social Sciences, 2022(ICoPsy), 34–42. https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v7i18.12375
Nariati, N. K. S., & Cahyani, N. M. Y. D. (2024). Bakiak Games in Developing Social -Emotional Children in Early Childhood. Pratama Widya: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 9(1), 75–84.
Ongoren, S., & Gundogdu, S. (2021). Mathematical Skills in Traditional Children’s Games in Early Childhood. Kastamonu Eğitim Dergisi, 29(5), 1052–1064. https://doi.org/10.24106/kefdergi.735687
Piaget, J. (1952). The origins of intelligence in children. In M. Cook (Ed.), The origins of intelligence in children. W W Norton & Co. https://doi.org/10.1037/11494-000
Piaget, J. (1999). Play, Dreams and Imitation in Childhood. Psychology Press.
Puspitasari, P. E., & Utami, R. D. (2023). Analysis Of Teachers Readiness In Implementing The Independent Curriculum In Elementary Schools. Didaktika Tauhidi: Jurnal Pendidikan Guru Sekolah Dasar, 10(2), 145–156. https://doi.org/10.30997/dt.v10i2.9761
Qadafi, M., Husnaini, N., & Sasriani, L. (2023). Penanaman Nilai Karakter Anak Melalui Permainan Tradisional Sumbawa Di Tk Pgri Ongko. Pratama Widya: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 8(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.25078/pw.v8i1.2208
Ratnasari, P., Prima, E., & Poerwati, C. E. (2022). Upaya Meningkatkan Kemampuan Sosial Emosional Melalui Permainan Tradisional Bakiak Untuk Anak Kelompok B1 Paud Pelita Kasih. Pratama Widya: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 7(2), 106–115. https://doi.org/10.25078/pw.v7i2.1864
Rekysika, N. S., & Haryanto. (2019). Media Pembelajaran Ular Tangga Bilangan Untuk Meningkatkan Kemampuan Kognitif Anak Usia 5-6 Tahun. Cakrawala Dini: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 10(1), 56–61. https://doi.org/10.17509/cd.v10i1.16000
Sari, D. A. M. (2025). The Role Of Traditional Games In Improving Early Childhood Social Skills. Majority Science Journal (MSJ), 3(1), 21–29. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.61942/msj.v3i1.303
Simatupang, N. D., Sholichah, S. A., & Simanjuntak, I. A. (2023). Introduction to Counting Symbols in Early Childhood with Stick Math (STIKMA) Educational Tool Games. JPUD - Jurnal Pendidikan Usia Dini, 17(2), 297–311. https://doi.org/10.21009/jpud.172.08
Spradley, J. K. (1979). The Ethnographic Interview. Holt, Rinehart, Winston, Inc.
Srinivasan, K. (2019). Snake and Ladder Games in Cognition Development on Students with Learning Difficulties. Indian Journal of Dental Advancements, 10(4), 160–170. https://doi.org/10.5866/2018.10.10160
Sulistyaningtyas, R. E., & Fauziah, P. Y. (2019). The Implementation of Traditional Games for Early Childhood Education. 326(Iccie 2018), 431–435. https://doi.org/10.2991/iccie-18.2019.75
Sulistyorini, Y., & Sumajaya, A. S. (2024). Pengembangan Media Pembelajaran Permainan Ular Tangga dalam Pembelajaran Literasi dan Numerasi. Cakrawala, 3(1), 36. https://doi.org/10.28989/cakrawala.v3i1.2200
Tatminingsih, S. (2020). A Learning Model based on Comprehensive Games (Study on Conceptual Learning Model to Improve Early Childhood Abilities). 449(Icece 2019), 93–96. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.200715.018
Tripuspa, A., Mujtaba, I., & Damayanti, A. (2024). Upaya Meningkatkan Keterampilan Motorik Halus Melalui Kegiatan Finger Painting pada Anak Usia 5-6 Tahun di KB TK Lab School Fakultas Ilmu Pendidikan Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta. Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta, 1429–1437.
Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in Society: Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Harvard University Press.
Warmansyah, J., Zulhendri, Z., & Amalina, A. (2021). The Effectiveness of Lore Traditional Games Towards The Ability to Recognize The Concept of Numbers on Early Childhood. Ta’dib, 24(2), 261. https://doi.org/10.31958/jt.v24i2.2685
Widiasavitri, P. N., Agustini, N. M. Y. A., Astiti, D. P., Suarya, L. M. K. S., & Haryati, T. (2020). Traditional Games as Alternative Activities for Children Stimulation. Journal of Psychology and Instruction, 4(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.23887/jpai.v4i1.23010
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhiyatul Huliyah, Yuli Rahmawati , Asep Supena

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.