UNESA Early Childhood Education Students Conduct Anti-Bullying Education Through Creative Activities at Sanggar Merah Merdeka

Surabaya – Students from the Early Childhood Teacher Education Program (PGPAUD) of UNESA once again carried out an educational mentoring and learning assistance program at Sanggar Merah Merdeka, located at Lebak Arum Barat No. 21, Surabaya. The activity, held on Friday, May 31, 2026, starting at 6:00 p.m., was themed “Stop Bullying” and aimed to increase children's understanding of the importance of respecting others while preventing bullying behavior from an early age.

The activity was facilitated by four student volunteers: Shilfi, Ais, Nanda, and Rara. Participants consisted of children from various age groups who were divided into several classes, namely Bibit, Akar, Tunas, Melati, and Dahlia, allowing the material to be delivered according to their developmental levels.

The program began with an ice-breaking session designed to create a warm and enjoyable atmosphere. The children participated in simple games and group movements to help them focus and prepare for the main activities. Laughter and enthusiasm filled the room from the very beginning.

Following the ice breaker, the student volunteers introduced the topic of bullying using simple and child-friendly language. The children learned about the definition of bullying, various forms of bullying such as teasing, social exclusion, and physical aggression, as well as the negative impacts experienced by victims. To strengthen their understanding, the volunteers invited the children to watch an animated video about bullying. Through the video, the children observed examples of bullying situations in everyday life and learned appropriate ways to respond when witnessing or experiencing such behavior. During the screening, the participants remained attentive, and several children actively shared their opinions about the story being presented.

After the educational session, the activity continued with creative projects tailored to each age group. Children in the Bibit, Akar, and Tunas classes participated in a coloring activity using posters themed around stopping bullying. They were provided with illustrated worksheets and encouraged to decorate them with colors according to their own creativity.

Meanwhile, children in the Melati and Dahlia classes were assigned to create anti-bullying posters independently. They wrote positive messages promoting friendship, mutual respect, and the importance of rejecting bullying behavior. This activity was intended not only to foster creativity but also to reinforce their understanding of the concepts discussed during the lesson.

Once the posters were completed, participants from the Melati and Dahlia classes were invited to present their work in front of their peers. With confidence, they explained the meaning behind their posters and delivered anti-bullying messages to the audience. This activity also served as an opportunity to develop communication skills and public speaking confidence.

As part of the reflection process, the student volunteers organized a sharing session specifically for the Melati and Dahlia classes. The children were given the opportunity to write about and share their experiences, whether as victims, witnesses, or observers of bullying in their surroundings. This session provided a safe space for children to express their thoughts and feelings while helping the volunteers better understand the social challenges experienced by the participants.

The atmosphere during the session was emotional and supportive. Several children courageously shared personal experiences, while the volunteers offered encouragement and explained appropriate ways to respond to and report bullying incidents to trusted adults.

This educational activity aimed to cultivate empathy, social awareness, and mutual respect among children from an early age. Through an interactive and creative approach, the topic of bullying became easier for children to understand and relate to in their daily lives.

As the program concluded, a documentation session was held involving the student volunteers, participating children, and the management team of the learning center. The children enthusiastically displayed their posters while posing for group photographs. This moment symbolized togetherness and demonstrated that meaningful learning can take place in enjoyable and engaging ways.

Overall, the activity was successfully implemented and received positive responses from the participants. The children not only gained new knowledge about bullying prevention but also learned how to build healthier, safer, and more supportive friendships and social environments.

For the university students, this activity provided valuable experience in teaching, communication, and delivering social education directly to children. It is hoped that similar programs will continue to be implemented so that more children can understand the importance of creating environments that are free from bullying and rich in mutual respect.