Improving Children's Fine Motor Development Through the Use of Kinetic Sand at Gentaralia Early Childhood Education Center, Seluma Regency

Abstract

This study aimed to improve the fine motor development of children through the use of kinetic sand media at PAUD Gentaralia, Semidang Alas Maras District, Seluma Regency. The study was motivated by the low level of children's fine motor development, particularly in tracing shapes, coordinating hand-eye movements, performing manipulative movements, and controlling hand movements involving fine muscles. This study employed a Classroom Action Research (CAR) method using the John Elliot model, which was conducted in two cycles consisting of planning, action, observation, and reflection. The research subjects were 15 children. Data were collected through observation, documentation, and field notes. The data were analyzed using descriptive quantitative and descriptive qualitative techniques. The results showed that the use of kinetic sand media effectively improved the fine motor development of children aged 4–5 years. The percentage of children's fine motor development reached 74.16% in Cycle I, categorized as Developing as Expected, and increased to 89% in Cycle II, categorized as Very Well Developed. These findings indicate that kinetic sand media effectively enhanced children's ability to trace shapes, coordinate hand-eye movements, perform manipulative movements, and control fine hand movements. Therefore, kinetic sand media can be used as an innovative, creative, and enjoyable learning medium to promote the fine motor development of young children.