Developing Children's Creativity Through Creative Dance Activities at PAUD Dharma Kumara, Mataram City, Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims to describe and understand the importance of fostering children's creativity from an early age, noting the various methods parents and teachers can employ to develop creativity in preschool aged children. One such method involves engaging in activities that utilize enjoyable learning approaches tailored to the children's needs. The study employs a qualitative approach with a descriptive design. The informants consist of teachers and parents involved in fostering children's creativity through creative dance activities at the Dharma Kumara Early Childhood Education center in Mataram City. Data collection was conducted through interviews, observation, and documentation, while data analysis involved the stages of data condensation, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. Research findings indicate that fostering children's creativity through creative dance activities at PAUD Dharma Kumara in Mataram City is an effective approach for early childhood dance creativity. This is because creative dance goes beyond merely transferring movements or prioritizing the final outcome; instead, it involves the transfer of knowledge and emphasizes the creative learning process. Teachers are no longer bound by rigid traditional dance movements but are able to design dance movements that are adaptive, communicative, and play based. Furthermore, parents gain new insights into using movement and song as a medium for playing with their children at home, thereby reducing reliance on gadgets. Parents also provide assistance when children encounter difficulties, without completely taking over the activity the child is engaged in.