Strategi Pendidik Dalam Menerapkan Enam Aspek Perkembangan Anak Usia Dini Pada Kurikulum Merdeka Melalui Metode Storytelling Di RA Assyafiq

Abstract

Early Childhood Education (PAUD) plays a crucial role in shaping the foundations of children’s personality, character, and competence through the development of six main aspects: religious and moral values, physical-motor skills, cognitive abilities, socio-emotional skills, language, and art. In the context of the Merdeka Curriculum, teachers are given the flexibility to design learning activities that are meaningful, child-centered, and adapted to the needs and developmental characteristics of young learners. This study aims to describe the strategies used by teachers in applying the six aspects of early childhood development through the storytelling method at RA Assyafiq, as well as to identify the challenges and adaptive solutions implemented during its application. This research uses a qualitative approach with a case study design. Data were collected through participatory observations, in-depth interviews, and documentation, then analyzed using the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña, which includes data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The results show that the storytelling method is applied integratively to foster all developmental aspects holistically by combining religious values, creativity, and social interaction. Although teachers face limitations in media, differences in children’s characteristics, and variations in storytelling abilities, these challenges can be overcome through creativity and collaboration with parents. This study emphasizes that storytelling is an effective pedagogical strategy in supporting the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum and contributes significantly to developing PAUD learning models based on values, character, and learner autonomy.