The Effectiveness of Rotating Earth Learning Media on Understanding the Concept of Day and Night at PAUD AL IHSAN, Bangun Purba Village

Abstrak

Understanding basic astronomical concepts, particularly the phenomenon of day and night, is often an abstract topic for early childhood students at the Al Ihsan Preschool (PAUD) in Bangun Purba Village. The lack of adequate visual media makes it difficult for children to distinguish between the Earth's rotation and its impact on changes in time. This study aims to test the effectiveness of using the "Rotating Earth" learning media in improving understanding of the concept of day and night in children in Group B. This study was a Classroom Action Research (CAR) conducted in two cycles. Fifteen children participated in the study. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and oral tests, then analyzed descriptively and qualitatively. The results showed a significant increase in children's understanding after using the "Rotating Earth" media. This media was able to concretely conceptualize the Earth's rotation, previously considered abstract, into a concrete visual experience. In conclusion, the "Rotating Earth" media is highly effective in stimulating children's cognitive abilities related to basic natural phenomena and can be applied as a standard learning medium for astronomy at the Early Childhood Education (PAUD) level.