Depok-The Management of the Women’s Family Association (IWK) of the Vocational Education Program at the Universitas Indonesia (UI Vocational) carried out community service activities at the Early Childhood Education (PAUD) Denpasar, Bali on September 29-October 1, 2022. Taking the theme “Strengthening Literacy Programs and Developing Children’s Interest in Reading”, the activity included providing materials to students and teachers also making donations in the form of dolls, story books, and funds.
In this activity, Dewi Anggraini, as Chair of the UI Vocational IWK, delivered material on introducing the habit of reading children’s story books from an early age by giving examples to children so that it would strengthen the quality of mother-child relationships. “There are many benefits that can be grown if we often teach children to read story books because it becomes a healthy habit to support children’s cognitive development,” said Dewi.
(Photo: Dewi Anggraini giving a number of books to PAUD Sai Prema Kumara children)
Meanwhile, Riana Widiastuti, as the deputy head of the UI Vocational IWK Social Division, provided an understanding of tips to improve language skills for a child. When a mother provides a variety of interesting books and asks the child to choose a book, also read a storybook, the child will look at various pictures and learn a variety of new vocabulary that he has never known before. So, language skills will improve and he can use the right vocabulary to express something.
(Photo: Giving books to PAUD Sai Prema Kumara children by Riana Widiastuti)
In the last session, the treasurer of the UI Vocational IWK, Eri Herawati, gave material about the benefits of reading books. Listening to children and making reading a routine activity will make children have high creativity and imagination. “We can teach children to read story books using various intonations, expressions, and hand movements so that children can imagine the picture of the story in their minds,” said Eri.
(Photo: Eri Herawati also gave books to PAUD Sai Prema Kumara children)
PAUD Sai Prema Kumara is a preschool educational institution under the Sri Sathya Sai Bali Foundation, a foundation engaged in social and educational fields. In 2021, PAUD Sai Prema Kumara was selected as the implementer of the 1st Driving School Program which received intensive assistance from the Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) to improve the quality of PAUD services in Indonesia.
“The school’s operational costs come from donations from parents according to their abilities, donations from concerned people, and also also funding for educational operational costs from the government. PAUD Sai Prema Kumara, which was founded in 2002, focuses on building student character and is in line with the development of academic competence. This community service program from the UI Vocational IWK provides benefits for us,” said I Wayan Wijania, S.Pd AUD., M.Pd as the Head of PAUD Sai Prema Kumara Denpasar, Bali.
The development of a literacy culture will support the character and academic development of PAUD Sei Prema Kumara students. Later, children will be able to use their knowledge wisely in serving the community. They will grow into strong individuals thanks to good reading literacy skills.
