Building Moral and Religious Foundations in Children through Habitual Activities in Kindergarten

Abstract

This study examines the implementation of religious and moral values in children through habit formation at IT Mina Kindergarten, Aceh Besar. The goal is to prepare children as future generations with good character by integrating these values into daily activities from an early age. Using a qualitative method, the research involved the school principal, the head of the religious department, and two teachers. Data collection techniques included observation, interviews, and documentation. Results show that habit formation significantly contributes to instilling religious and moral values in children. The implementation includes three aspects: routine habits, spontaneous habits, and exemplary habits. Routine habits are daily practices embedded in the school schedule, spontaneous habits involve immediate responses to situations, and exemplary habits focus on role modeling by teachers and staff. Supporting factors include strong collaboration between teachers and parents, effective school leadership, teacher competence, and adequate facilities. Parental involvement in reinforcing these values at home is crucial for consistency. However, inconsistency in family behavior is a significant inhibiting factor. When family environments do not align with school teachings, children become confused, reducing the method's effectiveness.