The effect of Wordwall Media Using the Find the Match Feature on the Symbolic Thinking Ability of Children Aged 5-6 Years at KB Restu Ilahi, Polewali Mandar

Abstrak

This study evaluates the impact of Wordwall's "Find the Match" feature on enhancing symbolic thinking abilities in children aged 5-6 years. Symbolic thinking, which is the ability to use symbols (such as letters, numbers, and images) to represent objects and ideas, is a crucial cognitive skill developed during early childhood. The research compares the effectiveness of interactive digital tools, like Wordwall, with traditional teaching methods (such as flashcards) in promoting symbolic thinking. A quasi-experimental design was used, with two groups: the experimental group, which used the Wordwall "Find the Match" feature, and the control group, which used traditional flashcards. The results show that children in the experimental group exhibited significant improvements in symbolic thinking, with increased engagement and motivation compared to the control group. These findings suggest that interactive digital tools can effectively foster cognitive skills in early childhood education. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on the role of educational technology in enhancing learning outcomes for young children. Future research should explore the long-term impact of digital tools and their integration into diverse educational contexts.