Penerapan experiential learning melalui dongeng interaktif sebagai edukasi pola hidup bersih pada anak di bulan Ramadhan

Abstract

Background: Children are unique individuals with diverse growth and development patterns. Early stimulation is necessary to maximize their potential and enable them to adapt to their environment. Implementing Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (PHBS) education for school-age children is crucial, especially during Ramadan when changes in eating patterns, activities, and daily habits occur. The need for education related to Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (PHBS) becomes particularly relevant during Ramadan.

Purpose: To increase children's knowledge and practice of PHBS through an experiential learning approach based on the interactive story "The Ramadhan Adventures of Sisi and Bubu" during Ramadan.

Method: This community service activity uses an experiential learning approach which was implemented in March 2025 at the Canggu Village Hall, Jetis District, Mojokerto Regency, East Java. The target of the activity was 30 school-aged children (6-12 years old) who were observing the Ramadan fast. The concept of the community service activity combines the values ​​of Ramadan and PHBS practices. The main media used is an interactive storybook entitled "The Adventures of Sisi and Bubu's Ramadan" which is designed to be interactive and supports experience-based learning. Educational activities are implemented in four continuous stages of experiential learning consisting of concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation.

Results: The FGD results provided several important findings related to the target behavior. Children were inconsistent in practicing proper handwashing. This was due to the feeling that handwashing was unimportant and a lack of knowledge of the correct method. Regarding eating behavior, children preferred processed foods and tended to avoid vegetables and fruit. During the implementation stage, children were active and enthusiastic when completing interactive questions in the storybook. They enthusiastically arranged "My Dinner Plate," sequenced the steps for washing their hands, and related the order of etiquette for breaking the fast. Children who were previously unfamiliar with handwashing began to show initiative in washing their hands with soap before eating. Some children even happily practiced the 6-step handwashing movement they had just learned and asked their friends to do the same.

Conclusion: Experiential learning-based PHBS education activities with interactive storytelling were highly effective in increasing school children's understanding, engagement, and healthy hygiene practices during Ramadan. Children demonstrated positive behaviors, such as diligent handwashing, choosing balanced meals according to "My Plate," and maintaining personal and environmental hygiene. The high level of enthusiasm confirmed that a developmentally appropriate story-based approach provides motivation and a positive impact on maintaining health for families and the community.

Suggestion: Educators are advised to integrate storytelling-based experiential learning methods into PHBS education on an ongoing basis, while parents are encouraged to continue fostering healthy behaviors at home through mentoring practices such as handwashing and choosing balanced meals. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term impact of interactive storytelling interventions on children's behavior and family engagement to obtain a more comprehensive picture of the effectiveness of this approach.

Keywords: Clean and healthy living behaviors; Experiential learning; Interactive storytelling; School-Age Children

Pendahuluan: Anak merupakan individu yang unik dan memiliki pola pertumbuhan dan perkembangan yang beragam. Stimulasi sejak dini diperlukan untuk memaksimalkan potensi yang dimiliki anak agar mampu beradaptasi dengan lingkungan. Penerapan edukasi Perilaku Hidup Bersih dan Sehat (PHBS) pada anak usia sekolah penting dilakukan, terutama selama bulan Ramadhan ketika terjadi perubahan pola makan, aktivitas, dan kebiasaan harian. Kebutuhan akan edukasi terkait Perilaku Hidup Bersih dan Sehat (PHBS) menjadi relevan terutama di bulan Ramadhan.

Tujuan: Meningkatkan pengetahuan dan praktik PHBS melalui pendekatan experiential learning berbasis dongeng interaktif “Petualangan Ramadhan Sisi dan Bubu” pada anak di bulan Ramadhan.

Metode: Kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini menggunakan pendekatan experiential learning yang dilaksanakan pada Maret 2025 di Balai Desa Canggu, Kecamatan Jetis, Kabupaten Mojokerto, Jawa Timur. Sasaran kegiatan adalah 30 anak usia sekolah (6-12 tahun) yang sedang menjalankan ibadah puasa Ramadhan. Konsep kegiatan pengabdian dengan menggabungkan nilai-nilai Ramadhan dan praktik PHBS. Media utama yang digunakan adalah buku dongeng interaktif berjudul "Petualangan Ramadhan Sisi dan Bubu" yang dirancang interaktif dan mendukung pembelajaran berbasis pengalaman. Kegiatan edukasi dilaksanakan dalam empat tahap berkelanjutan experiential learning yang terdiri dari concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, dan active experimentation.

Hasil: Hasil FGD memberikan beberapa temuan penting terkait perilaku sasaran. Anak-anak tidak konsisten dalam mempraktikkan mencuci tangan dengan tepat. Penyebabnya diantaranya adalah merasa cuci tangan itu tidak penting dan tidak tahu cara cuci tangan yang benar. Pada perilaku makan, anak-anak lebih menyukai process food dan cenderung menghindari sayur dan buah. Pada tahap pelaksanaan, anak-anak aktif dan antusias saat mengisi soal-soal interaktif dalam buku dongeng. Mereka bersemangat Menyusun "Piring Makanku", mengurutkan langkah cuci tangan, dan menghubungkan urutan adab berbuka puasa. Anak-anak yang sebelumnya tidak terbiasa mencuci tangan mulai menunjukkan inisiatif untuk mencuci tangan dengan sabun sebelum makan. Beberapa anak bahkan dengan senang mempraktikkan gerakan cuci tangan 6 langkah yang baru mereka pelajari dan meminta teman-teman mereka untuk melakukan hal yang sama

Simpulan: Kegiatan edukasi PHBS berbasis experiential learning dengan dongeng interaktif sangat efektif dalam meningkatkan pemahaman, keterlibatan, dan praktik hidup bersih sehat anak sekolah saat Ramadhan. Anak menunjukkan perilaku positif, seperti rajin mencuci tangan, memilih makanan seimbang sesuai “Piring Makanku”, dan menjaga kebersihan diri maupun lingkungan. Antusiasme tinggi menegaskan bahwa pendekatan berbasis cerita sesuai perkembangan anak memberikan motivasi dan dampak positif dalam menjaga kesehatan bagi keluarga serta lingkungan.

Saran: Disarankan agar tenaga pendidik mengintegrasikan metode experiential learning berbasis dongeng dalam edukasi PHBS secara berkelanjutan, sementara orang tua diharapkan melanjutkan pembiasaan perilaku sehat di rumah melalui pendampingan praktik seperti cuci tangan dan pemilihan makanan seimbang. Penelitian selanjutnya perlu dilakukan untuk mengevaluasi dampak jangka panjang intervensi dongeng interaktif terhadap perilaku anak serta keterlibatan keluarga, sehingga diperoleh gambaran lebih komprehensif tentang efektivitas pendekatan ini.