Improving Critical Thinking Skills of Early Childhood Through Exploration Based “Magic Box” Educational Play Tools
Keywords:
critical thinking, educational play tool, early childhood, explorationAbstract
Critical thinking is an essential competency that should be developed from an early age to support children's cognitive development and problem-solving abilities. However, the availability of innovative learning media in early childhood education institutions remains relatively limited. This community service program aimed to enhance the critical thinking skills of young children through the implementation of an exploration-based Educational Play Tool called the “Magic Box” at RA Angkasa Jaya Surakarta. The program involved 24 children aged 4–5 years and was conducted through several stages, including observation, preparation, implementation, and evaluation. The Magic Box consisted of various educational activities, such as arranging letters, recognizing geometric shapes, distinguishing between good and bad behavior, counting activities, and fine motor skill exercises. The results indicated that the children became more active, focused, confident, and capable of solving simple problems independently. Teachers also provided positive feedback regarding the use of the media, as it was considered effective in supporting the learning process. Therefore, the exploration-based Magic Box can serve as an innovative learning medium that effectively stimulates critical thinking skills while supporting various aspects of early childhood development.
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