Teacher Creativity in Teaching Early Childhood at At-Taufiq Kindergarten Surabaya

Abstract

Creativity is the ability to think of someone to give birth to fluent, flexible, new, and original ideas or produce different problem-solving with what has been there before. While the teacher is one of the factors that play an essential role in the teaching and learning process, this is because the teacher is the person who is in direct contact with students in the learning process. From researchers' observations, the reality at the location of At-Taufiq Surabaya Kindergarten is that kindergarten children are less interested in learning, especially in recognizing Islamic symbols or hijaiyah letters. In addition, children also often play alone regardless of the direction of the teacher; this is due to the lack of creativity used by the teacher, so many children are less interested and motivated in learning. The research conducted by this author includes descriptive qualitative research. In collecting data, the author used several methods, namely observation, interview, and documentation methods. As for the data analysis, the author uses qualitative descriptive analysis techniques, namely in the form of data exposure in writing regarding related data, both written and oral, from the object of research in the institution mentioned above that has been observed, where in this case the author describes thoroughly about the actual situation. The diverse creativity used by the teacher in introducing Islamic symbols shows that the learning interest of the children of Tk At-Taufiq Surabaya Kindergarten has increased and succeeded. This is evident that, on average, the children have been able to introduce the Islamic symbols of the Mosque and the Qur'an, which is explained to the children and interspersed with playing to find suitable pictures according to the teacher's questions. Another creativity is simulating the Kaaba from simple materials, so children are very interested in learning. In addition, the teacher also makes chants, such as the memorization of Allahu Akbar, so that the children compactly recite the chant simultaneously and enthusiastically. In addition, when the teacher gives guesses or questions related to Islamic religious symbols, such as a mosque with hijaiyah letters. The average child can answer well, even if it is not correct. This means that the creativity carried out by Tk At-Taufiq Surabaya Kindergarten teachers is good and has improved.