Free Play Activities for Development of Emotional Intelligence AUD

Abstract

This community service is motivated by observations showing the very low development of Emotional Intelligence in early childhood. The issue lies in the lack of creativity among teachers in providing learning for young children, which has resulted in low development. The solution to this problem is to provide engaging methods and media through free play, which is aligned with the Merdeka curriculum, allowing young children to freely express themselves and explore their own interests and talents. The goal of the provided media is to improve the development of Emotional Intelligence in early childhood. The method used in this community service is outreach, where children are invited to play directly using available materials. For example, children engage in games like hide and seek or play with loose parts. Loose parts are materials that can be moved, carried, combined, redesigned, separated, and reassembled in various ways. This method has been shown to have many positive impacts on the growth and development of young children. By changing the media and methods, it is hoped that the development of Emotional Intelligence in early childhood will be enhanced. The results of this community service show that young children greatly enjoy free play based on their interests and talents, which is applied in the learning process, particularly in improving the development of Emotional Intelligence in early childhood.