Pengenalan Sains Melalui Eksperimen Sederhana Bagi Anak Usia 4-6 Tahun Di TK Pelangi Loa Janan

Abstract

Introducing science to early childhood is important because children have a high level of curiosity about the environment around them. This community service activity aimed to introduce basic science concepts to children through simple experiments that were concrete, enjoyable, and appropriate to the characteristics of early childhood. The activity was conducted at Pelangi Kindergarten and involved 40 children over four days. The method combined an educational approach with direct practice and guided assistance, using a predict–observe–explain sequence in four experiments: color mixing, a pufferfish experiment, dancing tissue, and a volcanic eruption. Evaluation was conducted by observing the children's participation and by asking simple oral questions before and after each experiment. The results showed that simple experiments gave children direct learning experiences and helped them understand scientific phenomena through enjoyable activities. In the color-mixing experiment, children's understanding of the results of mixing colors improved after they carried out the experiment themselves. The activity also encouraged children's curiosity, observation skills, thinking, and ability to communicate their observations. For the partner school, it was the first experience for both children and teachers in conducting experiment-based science learning with easily available materials. Follow-up activities are planned in the form of teacher mentoring and the development of an experiment guide with observation sheets.