Smart Tree Media Innovation for Developing Early Childhood Cognitive Skills

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58421/gehu.v5i2.1239

Authors

  • Muji Masiah UIN Prof K.H. Saifuddin Zuhri Purwokerto
  • Fauzi Fauzi UIN Prof K.H. Saifuddin Zuhri Purwokerto

Keywords:

Cognitive Development, Early Childhood Education, Learning Media, Play-Based Learning, Smart Tree

Abstract

The Early years of childhood represent a critical phase for cognitive development, requiring appropriate stimulation through meaningful and engaging learning experiences. The use of concrete and play-oriented learning media is considered essential in helping children grasp abstract numerical concepts. This study seeks to explore the implementation of smart tree learning media and examine it is contribution to enhancing cognitive abilities in early childhood. A qualitative descriptive case study approach was used in this research. The study took place at Masyithoh Adiraja Kindergarten and involved 22 children aged 5-6 years. Data were gathered through classroom observations, semi-structured interviews, and documentation, and were analyzed using an interactive qualitative analysis framework. The results reveal that the active participation of smart tree media facilities supports the development of foundational cognitive skills, including number sequencing, quantity recognition, one-to-one correspondence, and basic arithmetic operations. Its interactive and tangible characteristics enable children to engage in exploratory, meaningful learning. These findings suggest that integrating play-based and manipulative media can serve as an effective pedagogical strategy in early childhood education settings.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Yesi Novitasari, "Problem Analysis: Early Childhood Cognitive Development", PAUD Lect., vol. 2, p. 84, 2018.

S. Nurhayati and I. M. Husain, "Vol.1 No. 2, December 2021," vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 23–39, 2021.

Chen et al., "No Covariance structure analysis of health-related indicators in the elderly at home centered on subjective health perceptionTitle,” Nucleic Acids Res., vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 1–7, 2018, [Online]. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gde.2016.09.008%0Ahttp://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00412-015-0543-8%0Ahttp://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature08473%0Ahttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2009.01.007%0Ahttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2012.10.008%0Ahttp://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s4159

H. Wang and D. M. A. Oyam, “The role of play-based learning in early childhood cognitive development,” Int. J. Soc. Sci. Humanit. Nothing., vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 85–93, 2024, [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13143653

M. Fauziddin and L. Elyana, "Improving Cognitive Ability with the Method of Playing Concrete Object Media in Early Childhood," vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 85–96, 2018.

Thanks to Zega's Grace. Wahyu Suprihati, "The Influence of Cognitive Development on Children," Teol. and Educators. Christian, vol. 3, no. 1, p. 20, 2021.

A. Khusnul Khotimah, "Implementation Of Jean Piaget's Theory Of Cognitive Development In Early Childhood," AL TAHDZIB, vol. 2, p. 15, 2023.

N. F. Ockti Syafitri, Rohita, "Improving the Ability to Recognize the Concept of Number 1 – 10 Symbols Through Counting Tree Games in Children Aged 4 – 5 Years at BKB PAUD Harapan Bangsa," AL-AZHAR Indones. SERI Hum., vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 193–205, 2018.

E. Lazar, “Play-based learning and cognitive development in early childhood: Pedagogical approaches and practical implications,” Ann. Univ. Craiova, Psychol. To be., vol. 48, no. 1, pp. 26–35, 2025, [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.52846/AUCPP.2025.1.26

M. S. Alotaibi, “Game-based learning in early childhood education: A systematic review and meta-analysis.,” Front. Psychol., 2024, [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1307881

H. Hibana, M. N. Rahman, and K. Nurhayati, “Exploring the role of game-based learning in early childhood cognitive development: Perspectives from teachers and parents,” Golden Age J. Ilm. Early Childhood Growth and Development, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 94–112, 2024, [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.14421/jga.2024.94-12

R. W. Sitorus, K. P. Siregar, and R. I. Sari, “The role of play-based learning in early childhood development,” Educia J. J. Educ. Stud., vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 1–14, 2025, [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.71435/610424

M. Kumar, “Role of Play-Based Learning in Cognitive Development,” J. Multidiscip. Knowl., vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 1–10, 2025, [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.57067/jmk.v3i1.109

S. A. Mu'min, "Jian Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development," J. AL-Ta'dib, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 89–99, 2013.

C. Montoya-Fernández, L. Losada-Puente, I. M. Gómez-Barreto, and P. Gil-Madrona, “Developmental play-based assessment in early childhood education: A systematic review,” Eur. Early Child. Educ. Res. J., vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 210–225, 2024, [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2024.2311100

M. R. Fadli, "Understanding the Design of Qualitative Research Methods," Humanika, Kaji. General Courses, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 33–54, 2021, [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.21831/hum.v21i1

R. Nugroho and D. Lestari, "The Use of Interactive Learning Media in Improving Early Childhood Cognitive Abilities," J. Obs. J. Educator. Early childhood, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 45–58, 2023, [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v7i1

W. H. Organization, Early childhood development and learning guidelines. Geneva: WHO Press, 2023.

and T. Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, Early Childhood Development Achievement Standards. Jakarta: Ministry of Education and Culture, 2022.

A. Santosa and N. Pratiwi, "Early childhood cognitive development in a play-based learning perspective," J. Educator. Children, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 22–35, 2024, [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.21831/jpa.v15i1

L. E. Berk, Development Through the Lifespan (8th ed.). Pearson Education., 2022.

J. W. Creswell, Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. 2018.

Suggestion, Quantitative, Qualitative, and R&D Research Methods. Bandung: Alfabeta, 2017.

M. B. Miles and Huberman, “Qualitatif Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook,” 2014.

J. Saldana, The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers (4th ed.). SAGE Publications, 2021.

Downloads

Additional Files

Published

2026-04-29

How to Cite

[1]
M. Masiah and F. Fauzi, “Smart Tree Media Innovation for Developing Early Childhood Cognitive Skills ”, J.Gen.Educ.Humanit., vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 2893–2904, Apr. 2026.

Issue

Section

Articles