Parental Strategies in Shaping the Religious Character of Early Childhood Children at Dharma Wanita Kindergarten, Pelawan Village, Sarolangun Regency

Abstract

This study aims to describe the cultivation of religious character in early childhood at TK Dharma Wanita, Pelawan Village, focusing on parental strategies, children's character, obstacles, and efforts to overcome them. The research employed a descriptive qualitative approach with data collection techniques including interviews, observation, and documentation. The findings indicate that parental strategies include habituation of daily worship, role modeling, and positive reinforcement, which are effective as they align with early childhood learning characteristics through repetition and direct experience. The children's character at TK Dharma Wanita is strongly influenced by the family environment; children who receive religious habituation at home tend to be more disciplined, polite, and enthusiastic about religious activities, while those who lack such habituation show behavior that is harder to direct. The main obstacles faced by parents are limited time, difficulty maintaining consistency, and negative influences from gadgets and the surrounding environment. However, these can be minimized through cooperation between parents and teachers by making religious learning enjoyable and maintaining regular communication. In conclusion, the cultivation of religious character in early childhood will be successful if there is synergy between family and school in applying religious values consistently and enjoyably.