Gymnastic play as movement-based learning to enhance bodily–kinesthetic intelligence in early childhood
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64268/joces.v1i2.104Keywords:
Bodily–Kinesthetic Intelligence, ; Early Childhood Education, Gymnastic Play, Motor Development, Movement-Based LearningAbstract
Background: Bodily–kinesthetic intelligence is an essential component of early childhood development, closely related to children’s ability to control body movements, coordinate muscles, and express ideas through physical activity. In early childhood classrooms, stimulation of bodily–kinesthetic intelligence is often limited to routine movement and song activities that do not fully engage children. Movement-based learning, particularly gymnastic play, offers structured physical experiences that integrate balance, strength, coordination, and active engagement. However, empirical evidence examining gymnastic play as a systematic learning intervention in early childhood education remains limited.
Aims: This study aims to examine the effect of gymnastic play as a movement-based learning strategy on the improvement of bodily–kinesthetic intelligence in early childhood learners.
Method: This study employed a quantitative quasi-experimental design using a posttest-only control group. The participants were children from Group B at TK Harniatun Arrazzaq Bandar Lampung, divided into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group received gymnastic play activities, while the control group followed conventional movement-based instruction. Data were collected through questionnaires, observations, and documentation, and analyzed using validity and reliability testing, normality and homogeneity tests, and an independent samples t-test.
Results: The results show a significant difference in bodily–kinesthetic intelligence between the experimental and control groups. Children who participated in gymnastic play activities achieved higher mean scores and demonstrated better coordination, balance, agility, and movement control compared to those in the control group.
Conclusion: Gymnastic play is an effective movement-based learning approach for enhancing bodily–kinesthetic intelligence in early childhood education. Structured and engaging physical activities support children’s motor development and active participation in learning.
References
Adjei-Boadi, D., Agyei-Mensah, S., Adamkiewicz, G., Rodriguez, J. I., Gemmell, E., & Ezzati, M. (2022). Neighbourhood, built environment and children’s outdoor play spaces in urban Ghana: Review of policies and challenges. Landscape and urban planning, 218, 104288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104288
Almeida, L. S., Prieto, M. D., Ferreira, A. I., Bermejo, M. R., Ferrando, M., & Ferrándiz, C. (2010). Intelligence assessment: Gardner multiple intelligence theory as an alternative. Learning and Individual Differences, 20(3), 225-230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2009.12.010
Anggraini, D. D. (2015). Peningkatan Kecerdasan Kinestetik Melalui Kegiatan Bermain Sirkuit Dengan Bola (Penelitian Tindakan di Kelompok A TK Al Muhajirin Malang Jawa Timur, Tahun 2015). Jurnal PG-PAUD Trunojoyo: Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pembelajaran Anak Usia Dini, 2(1), 65-75.
Australian Sports Commission. (2007). Gymnastics companion book. Australian Government.
Barnett, L. M., Lai, S. K., Veldman, S. L., Hardy, L. L., Cliff, D. P., Morgan, P. J., ... & Okely, A. D. (2016). Correlates of gross motor competence in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports medicine, 46(11), 1663-1688. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0495-z
Biino, V., Pesce, C., & Martins, C. (2025). Motor Skill Development at Preschool Age in Girls and Boys: The Role of Outdoor Free Play. Children, 12(5), 594. https://doi.org/10.3390/children12050594
Camden, C., Wilson, B., Kirby, A., Sugden, D., & Missiuna, C. (2015). Best practice principles for management of children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD): results of a scoping review. Child: care, health and development, 41(1), 147-159. https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12128
Fink, H., Muscat, A., & Russell, K. (2008). Long term athlete development-gymnastics the ultimate human movement experience. Ottawa: Gymnastics Canada Gymnastique, 68.
Gardner, H., & Hatch, T. (1989). Educational implications of the theory of multiple intelligences. Educational researcher, 18(8), 4-10. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X018008004
Gill, T. (2021). Urban playground: How child-friendly planning and design can save cities. Riba Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003108658
Hasibuan, N. R. F., Fauzi, T., & Novianti, R. (2020). Pengaruh kegiatan senam irama terhadap kecerdasan kinestetik pada anak kelompok b tk mustabaqul khoir Palembang. Jurnal Pendidikan Anak, 9(2), 118-123. https://doi.org/10.21831/jpa.v9i2.33564
Hirsh-Pasek, K., Zosh, J. M., Golinkoff, R. M., Gray, J. H., Robb, M. B., & Kaufman, J. (2015). Putting education in “educational” apps: Lessons from the science of learning. Psychological science in the public interest, 16(1), 3-34. https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100615569721
Lenes, R., McClelland, M. M., ten Braak, D., Idsøe, T., & Størksen, I. (2020). Direct and indirect pathways from children’s early self-regulation to academic achievement in fifth grade in Norway. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 53, 612-624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2020.07.005
Lifter, K., Mason, E. J., Minami, T., Cannarella, A., & Tennant, R. (2022). Emergent patterns in the development of young children's object play. Acta Psychologica, 224, 103524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103524
Lubis, Z., Pane, K. N., & Lubis, R. (2020). Hubungan antara Kecerdasan Kinestetik dengan Meniru Kegiatan Shalat Anak Usia 5-6 Tahun di TKIT Bunayya 7. Jurnal Raudhah, 8(2).
Margono, A., dkk. (2009). Pendidikan jasmani, olahraga, dan kesehatan. Panitia Sertifikasi Guru Rayon 13.
Mayar, F., & Putri, Y. D. (2021). Kegiatan Senam Otak (Brain Gym) Dalam Meningkatkan Kecerdasan Kinestetik Anak Usia Dini Di Taman Kanak-Kanak Aisyiyah III Alang Sungkai. Jurnal Pendidikan Tambusai, 5(3), 9560-9563.
Mursid. (2015). Pengembangan pembelajaran PAUD. PT Remaja Rosdakarya.
Papalia, D. E., & Martorell, G. (2021). Experience human development (14th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Robinson, L. E., Stodden, D. F., Barnett, L. M., Lopes, V. P., Logan, S. W., Rodrigues, L. P., & D’Hondt, E. (2015). Motor competence and its effect on positive developmental trajectories of health. Sports medicine, 45(9), 1273-1284. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0351-6
Rohmah, A. A. (2020). Mengembangkan Kecerdasan Kinestetik Anak Usia Dini Melalui Pembelajaran Multiple Intelligences. PRESCHOOL: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 1(1), 32-41. https://doi.org/10.35719/preschool.v1i1.9
Sansone, P., Tessitore, A., Paulauskas, H., Lukonaitiene, I., Tschan, H., Pliauga, V., & Conte, D. (2019). Physical and physiological demands and hormonal responses in basketball small-sided games with different tactical tasks and training regimes. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 22(5), 602-606. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2018.11.017
Samahati, O. S. (2019). Upaya meningkatkan kecerdasan kinestetik anak melalui permainan lompat tali kelompok B di TK Nurul Hidayah (Doctoral dissertation, Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara).
Sri Widiyati. (2008). Mengoptimalkan sembilan zona kecerdasan majemuk anak. Luna Publisher.
Sugiyono. (2017). Metode penelitian pendidikan. CV Alfabeta.
Sunoviani, R. (2021). Meningkatkan kecerdasan kinestetik melalui media alat musik perkusi pada anak kelompok B2 RA Babussalam (Doctoral dissertation, STKIP Bina Bangsa Getsempena).
Suyati, & Margono, A. (2000). Teori dan praktik senam. Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan Republik Indonesia, Universitas Sebelas Maret.
Tadkiroatun Musfiroh. (2017). Pengembangan kecerdasan kinestetik dalam kecerdasan majemuk. Universitas Terbuka.
Trajković, N., Madić, D., Sporiš, G., Aleksić-Veljković, A., & Živčić-Marković, K. (2016). Impact of gymnastics program on health-related fitness in adolescent pupils. Science of Gymnastics Journal, 8(2), 157-166. https://doi.org/10.52165/sgj.8.2.157-166
Webster, E. K., Martin, C. K., & Staiano, A. E. (2019). Fundamental motor skills, screen-time, and physical activity in preschoolers. Journal of sport and health science, 8(2), 114-121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2018.11.006
Yuningsih, R. (2015). Peningkatan kecerdasan kinestetik melalui pembelajaran gerak dasar tari minang:(Penelitian tindakan kelompok B1 di TK Negeri 01 Sungai Pagu Kabupaten Solok Selatan tahun 2015). JPUD-Jurnal Pendidikan Usia Dini, 9(2), 233-250. https://doi.org/10.21009/JPUD.092.03
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Nilawati Tajuddin, Silvi Indriani
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
