Implementasi Media Boneka Tangan Berbasis Kerangka CASEL untuk Mengembangkan Kompetensi Sosial-Emosional Anak Usia Dini

Abstract

Early childhood social-emotional competence develops through the ability to recognize emotions, regulate responses, understand others, build relationships, and make social decisions. This study aims to describe the implementation of hand puppet media based on the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework in developing young children’s social-emotional competence. This research employed a descriptive qualitative approach with a case study design at TK Aisyiyah 2 Muncar, Banyuwangi Regency. The participants consisted of 29 children from groups B1 and B2, while the informants included the principal and four classroom teachers. Data were collected through participatory observations, semi-structured interviews, and documentation. Data analysis involved data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing through source and technique triangulation. The findings indicate that hand puppet implementation was conducted through interactive storytelling and role-playing activities involving social situations familiar to children, such as sharing, waiting for turns, expressing emotions, helping friends, apologizing, and resolving conflicts. These activities demonstrated the emergence of the five CASEL domains, namely self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Hand puppets served as a concrete and interactive medium that enabled teachers to present social situations where children could express emotions, understand others’ perspectives, and practice appropriate social responses. This study contributes by mapping the use of hand puppets according to the five CASEL domains in developing early childhood social-emotional competence.