Enhancing Children's Naturalist Intelligence through Stamping Activities Using Natural Materials in Early Childhood Education Group A

Abstract

This classroom action research aims to improve young children's naturalist intelligence through a stamping activity using natural materials at Group A of PAUD Indahnya Bersama, Ake Tobolo Village, Oba Tengah District. The subjects were 26 children (11 boys and 15 girls), with 17 children serving as the main respondents for scoring. The study followed the Kemmis and Mc Taggart spiral action-research model, consisting of planning, action, observation, and reflection across two cycles, with data collected through an observation checklist and analyzed both quantitatively (percentage scores) and qualitatively. The results show a consistent increase in naturalist intelligence scores: the pre-cycle mean was 25.58 (42.52%), rising to 35.47 (59.11%) in Cycle I, and reaching 49.35 (82.25%) in Cycle II, surpassing the 75% mastery criterion. These findings indicate that stamping activities using natural materials such as banana stems, carrots, potatoes, papaya stems, and starfruit are effective in helping children recognize, differentiate, and categorize plants, animals, and natural objects in their surrounding environment. Teachers are advised to select themes carefully and vary the media used alongside the stamping technique to sustain children's engagement.