PG-PAUD Students Enhance Numeracy and Creativity Through Role Play and Puppet-Making Activities at Rumah Belajar Novaloka

Surabaya – As part of their volunteer program at Rumah Belajar Novaloka Surabaya, students of the Early Childhood Teacher Education Program (PG-PAUD) conducted a second learning session focusing on numeracy skills and creativity development. The activity was designed to provide meaningful learning experiences through interactive, hands-on, and enjoyable activities that support children's overall development.

The activity was organized by Auva Layla Najwa, Bunga Nilna Rifa Salsabila, Shafalia Hamidah Putri, and Naila Safitri Al-Munawwaroh, who have been actively involved in facilitating educational programs for children at Rumah Belajar Novaloka. The participants consisted of children enrolled in the learning center's educational program.

The second meeting centered on introducing basic numeracy concepts through a role-play activity called French Fries Shop. This activity was designed to help children learn counting skills in a fun and practical way by simulating real-life situations. Through role play, children had the opportunity to act as sellers and buyers, allowing them to practice counting, recognizing numbers, and understanding simple mathematical concepts while interacting with their peers.

The session began with a brief introduction to numbers and counting activities. Facilitators explained the rules of the game and demonstrated how the role-play activity would be conducted. The children were then divided into groups and assigned different roles. Some children acted as shopkeepers responsible for serving customers and calculating orders, while others played the role of customers purchasing French fries using number cards and learning materials prepared by the facilitators.

Throughout the activity, the children showed great enthusiasm and actively participated in their assigned roles. They practiced counting items, recognizing numerical symbols, and matching quantities with corresponding numbers. The role-play environment encouraged active learning and allowed the children to gain a better understanding of mathematical concepts through direct experience. In addition, the activity helped improve communication skills, social interaction, and confidence as children engaged in conversations and collaborative play.

After completing the role-play activity, the participants were given worksheets designed to reinforce the numeracy concepts introduced during the session. The worksheets included simple counting exercises and number recognition activities appropriate for the children's developmental levels. Facilitators provided assistance whenever needed and encouraged children to complete the tasks independently as much as possible.

In the second part of the session, the children participated in a creative art activity in celebration of Kartini Day, an important national commemoration that honors R.A. Kartini's contributions to education and women's empowerment in Indonesia. To introduce cultural values and encourage creativity, the children were invited to create and decorate traditional puppet figures.

The facilitators provided puppet templates and coloring materials, allowing each child to express their creativity through colors, patterns, and artistic designs. The children enthusiastically colored and decorated their puppets according to their own imagination. This activity not only promoted creativity and self-expression but also helped develop fine motor skills, concentration, and patience.

The atmosphere throughout the session was lively, joyful, and highly engaging. The children actively participated in both the numeracy and art activities, demonstrating excitement and curiosity during the learning process. They proudly displayed their completed worksheets and puppet creations to the facilitators and their friends.

Through this activity, the PG-PAUD students aimed to create a learning environment that combines academic development with creative exploration. By integrating numeracy learning with role play and cultural art activities, the program provided opportunities for children to develop cognitive, social, emotional, and creative skills simultaneously.

Overall, the second volunteer session was successfully implemented and achieved its intended objectives. The children demonstrated active participation, improved understanding of basic numeracy concepts, and strong enthusiasm for creative expression. The activity served as another meaningful learning experience that contributed to the holistic development of children at Rumah Belajar Novaloka Surabaya.