Improving Fine Motor Skills through Finger Painting Activities in Early Childhood at Kindergarten

Abstract

Pendidikan anak usia dini merupakan  masa emas yang menjadi landasan bagi perkembangan anak secara holistik khususnya aspek perkembangan motorik halus yang dapat membantu anak dalam melakukan aktivitas dasar seperti menggenggam, menekan, mengontrol gerakan jari, serta melatih koordinasi mata dan tangan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efektivitas aktivitas finger paint dalam meningkatkan kemampuan motorik halus anak usia dini di TK ABA Al-Fitrah, Kecamatan Karang Intan, Kabupaten Banjar, Provinsi Kalimantan Selatan. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif deskriptif dengan teknik pengumpulan data berupa pre-test dan post-test. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan peningkatan kemampuan motorik halus anak, terbukti dari ketuntasan yang naik dari 38% pada pra-tindakan menjadi 62% pada Siklus I, dan mencapai 85% pada Siklus II. Temuan ini membuktikan bahwa kegiatan finger painting mampu melatih otot tangan dan jari, meningkatkan pengendalian gerakan, serta memperkuat koordinasi mata dan tangan melalui aktivitas yang kreatif, eksploratif, dan menyenangkan. Implikasi dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa guru perlu secara konsisten menghadirkan aktivitas pembelajaran yang kreatif dan interaktif untuk mendukung perkembangan anak usia dini. Orang tua diharapkan dapat mendampingi anak di rumah agar stimulasi motorik halus tetap berkelanjutan. Penelitian ini memberikan kontribusi terhadap pengembangan strategi pembelajaran berbasis bermain dalam mengoptimalkan perkembangan motorik halus pada anak usia dini.

Early childhood education is a golden period that serves as a foundation for holistic child development, particularly in the aspect of fine motor skills, which can assist children in performing basic activities such as controlling finger movements and training hand-eye coordination. This research aims to determine the effectiveness of finger painting activities in improving the fine motor skills of preschool children at TK ABA Al-Fitrah, Karang Intan Subdistrict, Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan Province. The study employs a descriptive quantitative approach with data collection techniques in the form of pre-tests and post-tests.ensure safe and engaging facilities to optimally support the development of fine motor skills. The research results indicate an improvement in children's fine motor skills, evidenced by an increase in mastery from 38% in the pre-action phase to 62% in Cycle I and reaching 85% in Cycle II. These findings demonstrate that finger painting activities can train hand and finger muscles, enhance movement control, and strengthen hand-eye coordination through creative, exploratory, and enjoyable activities. The implications of this research suggest that teachers need to consistently present creative and interactive learning activities to support the development of young children. Parents are expected to accompany their children at home to ensure that fine motor stimulation continues. This research contributes to the development of play-based learning strategies in optimizing fine motor development in early childhood.