Pengaruh Penggunaan Media Puzzle Angka Terhadap Kemampuan Mengenal Bilangan Anak Usia 5–6 Tahun

Abstract

This study addresses the limited use of concrete and play-based learning media in improving early numeracy skills among children aged 5–6 years, particularly in recognizing number symbols and relating them to quantities. Existing classroom practices often rely on conventional instruction that provides insufficient hands-on learning experiences. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effect of number puzzle media on children's number recognition ability while providing empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of concrete learning media in early childhood education. A quantitative approach with a pre-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design was employed involving 10 children in Group B at TK Kusuma Bangsa. Data were collected through pretest and posttest assessments and analyzed using a paired sample t-test. The findings revealed a significant improvement in children's number recognition ability after the implementation of number puzzle media. The mean score increased from 10.8 in the pretest to 14.8 in the posttest, with a significance value of p = 0.002 (< 0.05). These findings indicate that number puzzle media effectively facilitates children's understanding of number symbols through concrete, interactive, and play-based learning experiences. This study contributes to the growing body of evidence on the effectiveness of manipulative learning media in early childhood mathematics education. Practically, the findings provide recommendations for PAUD teachers to integrate number puzzle media into numeracy instruction to create more engaging, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate learning environments