The Role of Arts Education in Developing Socio-Emotional Skills in Early Childhood at Al Irsyad Pahambatan Kindergarten

Authors

  • Fatmawati UIN Sultan Thaha Saifuddin Jambi
  • Mourentina Aulia Abadi UIN Sultan Thaha Saifuddin Jambi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59944/jipsi.v5i4.2265

Keywords:

Arts Education, Socio-emotional Development, Early Childhood Education, Emotional Regulation, Social Interaction

Abstract

Arts education plays an important role in early childhood education by providing opportunities for children to express emotions, develop self-regulation, and establish positive social relationships. This study aims to examine the role of arts education in developing socio-emotional skills in early childhood at Al Irsyad Pahambatan Kindergarten, Agam Regency, West Sumatra, Indonesia. The study employs a descriptive qualitative approach to explore arts-based learning activities, children's participation, and teachers' strategies for supporting socio-emotional development. Data collection is designed to involve classroom observations, semi-structured interviews with teachers, and documentation of relevant learning activities. The analysis focuses on three dimensions: arts education as a medium for emotional expression and self-regulation, collaborative arts activities in developing social interaction and cooperation, and teachers' strategies for integrating arts education into socio-emotional learning. The study is expected to contribute to a contextual understanding of how drawing, painting, music, movement, and creative drama can provide meaningful opportunities for children to recognize emotions, communicate with peers, manage behavioral responses, and participate in collaborative learning. The study also emphasizes the importance of intentional pedagogical planning and supportive teacher–child interactions in maximizing the developmental value of artistic experiences. The findings may inform early childhood educators seeking to integrate creative activities with socio-emotional learning in kindergarten settings.

References

Bal, Ö. (2026). The effects of creative drama activities on preschoolers' peer relationships and humor skills and the predictive role of humor. Frontiers in Psychology, 17. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1892073

Blewitt, C., Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M., Nolan, A., Bergmeier, H., Vicary, D., Huang, T., McCabe, P., McKay, T., & Skouteris, H. (2018). Social and emotional learning associated with universal curriculum-based interventions in early childhood education and care centers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Network Open, 1(8), e185727. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.5727

Brown, E. D., & Sax, K. L. (2013). Arts enrichment and preschool emotions for low-income children at risk. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 28(2), 337–346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2012.08.002

Cutcher, A., & Boyd, W. (2018). Preschool children, painting and palimpsest: Collaboration as pedagogy, practice and learning. International Journal of Art & Design Education, 37(1), 53–64. https://doi.org/10.1111/jade.12113

Denee, R., & Cherrington, S. (2023). Intentional teaching for visual arts in early childhood education: Teachers’ practices and perceptions. New Zealand Journal of Teachers’ Work, 20(1), 5–18. https://doi.org/10.24135/teacherswork.v20i1.368

Denee, R., Lindsay, G., & Probine, S. (2024). Visual arts self-efficacy: Impacts and supports for early childhood teachers. Early Childhood Education Journal, 52, 1035–1045. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-023-01489-5

Hayes, N., Maguire, J., & O’Sullivan, C. (2021). Professional development in arts education for early childhood education: A creative exchange model. International Journal of Early Childhood, 53, 159–174. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13158-021-00290-y

Lee, E. (2017). Effects of cooperative art activities on young children’s self-regulation, peer interaction and social competence. Korean Journal of Elementary Education, 28(2), 227–246. https://doi.org/10.20972/kjee.28.2.201706.227

Leung, S. K. Y., Wu, J., & Ho, T. H. (2025). Early childhood visual arts education: Teachers’ content knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge, and challenges. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher, 34, 351–363. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-024-00859-w

Lobo, Y. B., & Winsler, A. (2006). The effects of a creative dance and movement program on the social competence of Head Start preschoolers. Social Development, 15(3), 501–519. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9507.2006.00353.x

Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.

Muthmainah, M., & Yahya, A. N. B. (2025). Social emotional learning integrated arts education in kindergarten Indonesia and Malaysia. Aulad: Journal on Early Childhood, 8(2), 686–696. https://doi.org/10.31004/aulad.v8i2.1054

Rahma, N. A., Saputri, S. W. D., & Budyawati, L. P. I. (2023). Efektivitas kegiatan kolaborasi seni terhadap kemampuan interaksi sosial pada anak kelompok A di TK Al Irsyad Al Islamiyyah Jember. Jurnal Pendidikan Anak, 12(2), 115–121. https://doi.org/10.21831/jpa.v12i2.61155

Rissanen, M.-J., Alasuutari, M., & von Bonsdorff, P. (2026). Interactional space for agency: Discussing photography with preschoolers. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 27(3), 380–398. https://doi.org/10.1177/14639491241288863

Rumble, H. F., Jindal-Snape, D., & Ross, J. (2026). Visual arts participation and young children’s social emotional wellbeing: A scoping review. Education 3–13, 54(2), 285–300. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2024.2304790

Tamblyn, A., Sun, Y., May, T., Evangelou, M., Godsman, N., Blewitt, C., & Skouteris, H. (2023). How do physical or sensory early childhood education and care environment factors affect children's social and emotional development? A systematic scoping review. Educational Research Review, 41, Article 100555. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2023.100555

Downloads

Published

2026-11-02