IMPROVING CHILDREN’S SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS THROUGH MINI BUILDING PROJECT WITH ICE CREAM STICKS IN CONSTRUCTION CENTER

Abstract

This study aims to improve children’s social emotional skills through a mini building project using ice cream sticks in the construction center. The research was conducted in Group B at TK Mutiara Insani with 8 children aged 5–6 years. The research employed Classroom Action Research (CAR) using the Kemmis and McTaggart model, consisting of planning, action, observation, and reflection. Data collection techniques included observation sheets, field notes, and documentation. The findings of the first cycle showed that children began to cooperate, share, and wait for their turns, although conflicts such as role domination and emotional outbursts still appeared. Improvements were then implemented in the second cycle by giving clearer roles, simple rules, and positive reinforcement through star stickers. The second cycle demonstrated significant progress, with more than 80% of children successfully developing social emotional indicators such as cooperation, patience, sharing, and emotional control. The study concludes that mini building projects using ice cream sticks are effective and meaningful activities to enhance early childhood social-emotional development.