Developing an Integrative SMART Learning Model to Support Holistic Development in Early Childhood Education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31958/jt.v28i2.16163Keywords:
SMART Learning Model, Early Childhood Education, Holistic Learning, Integrative LearningAbstract
Learning practices in early childhood education have not yet optimally integrated science, mathematics, art, religious values, and technology into a unified instructional model. This study aims to develop and examine the effectiveness of the SMART learning model (Science, Math, Art, Religion, and Technology) in early childhood education. Using a research and development (R&D) approach, the study integrated quantitative and qualitative data and involved early childhood learners as research participants. The model was developed through the ADDIE framework and validated by early childhood education experts, classroom teachers, and religious education specialists. The findings indicate that the SMART learning model is more effective than conventional lecture-based learning in enhancing children’s competencies across science, mathematics, art, religion, and technology. Overall, the study demonstrates that the SMART learning model provides an integrative, child-centered approach that supports holistic learning outcomes and aligns with early childhood developmental characteristics.
References
Alghamdi, A. A. (2023). Exploring Early Childhood Teachers’ Beliefs About STEAM Education in Saudi Arabia. Early Childhood Education Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-021-01303-0
Asiyah, A., Walid, A., & Kusumah, R. G. T. (2023). Urgency of Religion and Culture in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Based Learning Models: Meta Data Analysis. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i2.2653
Atikarini, D. (2019). Moral Generasi Muda Yang Semakin Hancur. INA-Rxiv, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.31227/osf.io/8kzgv
Au, S. Y., & Gardner, S. (1983). A Critical Appraisal of Gardner ’ s Social-Psychological Theory of. Language Learning.
Azis, Y., Metafisika, K., Ayu Lestari, F. A., & Asistiana, L. (2022). Analysis of validity, practicality, and readability of islamic STEAM activity storybook for early childhood. Al-Athfaal: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini. https://doi.org/10.24042/ajipaud.v5i1.11964
Azizah, A. N. ‘Ilmi, Ardiansyah, D., Aryani Febriana, I., Nur Aliffah, V., & Bachrul Qolbi Khairudin, M. (2024). Implanting Religious and Moral Values to Children in Kindergarten Inclusion. Journal of Islamic Education Students (JIES), 4(1), 13. https://doi.org/10.31958/jies.v4i1.12314
Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action : a social cognitive theory / Albert Bandura. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1986.
Bartkowski, J. P., Xu, X., & Bartkowski, S. (2019). Mixed blessing: The beneficial and detrimental effects of religion on child development among third-graders. Religions. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel10010037
Bertrand, M. G., & Namukasa, I. K. (2023). A pedagogical model for STEAM education. Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning, 16(2), 169–191. https://doi.org/10.1108/JRIT-12-2021-0081
Brown, L. E. (2024). The Inclusion of Spirituality/Religion in Child Welfare Practice: Strengths and Barriers. Journal of Public Child Welfare. https://doi.org/10.1080/15548732.2023.2171525
Bui, T. L., Tran, T. T., Nguyen, T. H., Nguyen-Thi, L., Tran, V. N., Dang, U. P., Nguyen, M. T., & Hoang, A. D. (2023). Dataset of Vietnamese preschool teachers’ readiness towards implementing STEAM activities and projects. Data in Brief. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2022.108821
Chandrankunnel, M. (2022). A Big-History Perspective on Science and Religion. In Science, Religion, and Deep Time (pp. 103–117). Routledge India. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003256656-9
Chatterjee, P., Chen, J., Yousafzai, A., Kawachi, I., & Subramanian, S. V. (2023). When social identities intersect: understanding inequities in growth outcomes by religion- caste and religion-tribe as intersecting strata of social hierarchy for Muslim and Hindu children in India. International Journal for Equity in Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-023-01917-3
Chen, Y. L., & Tippett, C. D. (2022). Project-Based Inquiry in STEM Teaching for Preschool Children. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/11899
Eldiva, F. T., & Azizah, N. (2019). Project Based Learning in Improving Critical Thinking Skill of Children with Special Needs. https://doi.org/10.2991/icsie-18.2019.64
Emanuel, F., Kwirinus, D., & Yuniarto, P. (2023). The Concept Of Interfaith Marriage: Islam-Catholicism And Its Implications For The Moral Educations Of Children. Jurnal Pendidikan Sosiologi Dan Humaniora. https://doi.org/10.26418/j-psh.v14i1.60155
Gall, J. P., Gall, M. D., & Borg, W. R. (2014). Applying Educational Research: How to Read, Do, and Use Research to Solve Problems of Practice. In lNew York and london. Longman publishing Inc.
García, L., García, B., & Alberdi, O. (2016). La ética del cuidado, sustento de la bioética enfermera. Revista Latinoamericana de Bioética.
Harrison, T. (2023). Religion and art. In Theology (Vol. 126, Issue 2, pp. 121–125). SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.1177/0040571x231161733
Hasanah, R., Masturoh, U., & Garba Ilah, B. (2024). Development of “Religion Mazes For Kids” Educational Tools to Enhance the Religious and Moral Values of Children Aged 4-5 Years. Indonesian Journal of Early Childhood Educational Research (IJECER), 3(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.31958/ijecer.v3i1.12144
Ilma, A. Z., Wilujeng, I., Widowati, A., Nurtanto, M., & Kholifah, N. (2023). A Systematic Literature Review of STEM Education in Indonesia (2016-2021): Contribution to Improving Skills in 21st Century Learning. Pegem Egitim ve Ogretim Dergisi. https://doi.org/10.47750/pegegog.13.02.17
Indreswari, H., Yafie, E., & Ramalingam, K. (2022). The Effectiveness of Parental Self-Efficacy Program to Improve Children’s Moral Development with Single-Parent Status. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. https://doi.org/10.47836/pjssh.30.1.18
Isnariyati, E., Khotimah, N., Setyowati, S., Hasibuan, R., Matheos Lasarus Malaikosa, Y., & Fitri, R. (2025). The Impact of STEAM Learning with Loose Parts on the Cognitive and Artistic Development of Children Aged 5-6 Years. Journal of Islamic Education Students (JIES), 5(1), 35. https://doi.org/10.31958/jies.v5i1.14822
Jazbec, M. (2023). STEAM Education in the Case of Engineering (Empowerment Informatics: Tsukuba University, Japan) and the Art Studies (Interface Cultures: University of Arts and Design Linz, Austria). In International and Development Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15527-7_3
Kanchana, S., Patchainayagi, S., & Rajkumar, S. (2019). Empowering students to become effective learners through activity based learning. Humanities and Social Sciences Reviews. https://doi.org/10.18510/hssr.2019.757
Karima, N. C., Ashilah, S. H., Kinasih, A. S., Taufiq, P. H., & Hasnah, L. (2022). Pentingnya penanaman nilai agama dan moral terhadap anak usia dini. Yinyang: Jurnal Studi Islam Gender Dan Anak, 17(2), 273–292. https://doi.org/10.24090/yinyang.v17i2.6482
Karpov, V. A. (2023). Pedagogical skill as a level of professional competence. Vestnik of Samara University. History, Pedagogics, Philology. https://doi.org/10.18287/2542-0445-2022-28-4-78-84
Kim, H., & Chae, D. H. (2016). The development and application of a STEAM programbased on traditional Korean culture. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2016.1539a
Kjeldsen, K. (2019). A study-of-religion(S)-based religion education: Skills, knowledge, and aims. Center for Educational Policy Studies Journal. https://doi.org/10.26529/cepsj.678
Krek, J., Hodnik, T., & Vogrinc, J. (2019). The primary school moral education plan in Slovenia ten years after its introduction. European Journal of Educational Research. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.8.4.1229
Kryshtop, L. E. (2020). Morality as the Destiny of Human Being in the Philosophy of Kant and in the Age of German Enlightenment. Studies in the History of Philosophy. https://doi.org/10.12775/szhf.2020.012
Leavy, A., Dick, L., Meletiou-Mavrotheris, M., Paparistodemou, E., & Stylianou, E. (2023). The prevalence and use of emerging technologies in STEAM education: A systematic review of the literature. In Journal of Computer Assisted Learning. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12806
Liu, C. Y., Wu, C. J., Chien, Y. H., Tzeng, S. Y., & ... (2023). Examining the quality of art in STEAM learning activities. Psychology of Aesthetics ….
Mahsun, Mahmutarom, Ifada Retno Ekaningrum, Muh Syaifuddin, & Yuldashev Azim Abdurakhmonovich. (2023). Religious Education of Children in Interfaith Family. Fikroh: Jurnal Pemikiran Dan Pendidikan Islam. https://doi.org/10.37812/fikroh.v16i2.990
Makar, K., Fry, K., & English, L. (2023). Primary students’ learning about citizenship through data science. ZDM - Mathematics Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-022-01450-7
Mariano, W. K., & Chiappe, A. (2021). 21st-century skills and their relationship to STEAM learning environments: A review. In Revista de Educación a Distancia. https://doi.org/10.6018/red.470461
Medina-Vicent, M. (2016). La ética del cuidado y Carol Gilligan: una crítica a la teoría del desarrollo moral de Kohlberg para la definición de un nivel moral postconvencional contextualista. Daimon. https://doi.org/10.6018/daimon/199701
Miftahurrohmah, L., Sya, A., & Yani, M. T. (2024). Instilling Religious Values in Children Through the Role of Parents and Habituation at School. Journal of Islamic Education Students, 4(2), 251–262. https://doi.org/10.31958/jies.v4i2.12482
Mikkonen, E., Laitinen, M., Gupta, A., Nikupeteri, A., & Hurtig, J. (2021). Cross-national insights into social workers’ multi-dimensional moral agency when working with child abuse and neglect. Qualitative Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1177/1473325020902820
Misra, M., Trinova, Z., Nasution, R. H., & Mayuni, W. (2022). Story Method in Applying Islamic Religious Education Values in Early Childhood Education Students. Al-Tadzkiyyah: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam. https://doi.org/10.24042/atjpi.v13i1.5741
Montilla, V. R., Rodriguez, R., C. Aliazas, J. V., & Gimpaya, R. (2023). Teachers’ Pedagogical Digital Competence as Relevant Factors on Academic Motivation and Performance in Physical Education. International Journal of Scientific and Management Research. https://doi.org/10.37502/ijsmr.2023.6604
Pahmi, S., Juandi, D., & Sugiarni, R. (2022). The Effect of STEAM in Mathematics Learning on 21st Century Skills: A Systematic Literature Reviews. PRISMA. https://doi.org/10.35194/jp.v11i1.2039
Piaget, J. (1971). Science of Education and the Psychology of the Child. Journal of Architectural Education (1947-1974). https://doi.org/10.2307/1423801
Pinsent, A. (2022). Alister Mcgrath And Education In Science And Religion. In Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science (Vol. 57, Issue 1, pp. 223–232). Open Library of the Humanities. https://doi.org/10.1111/zygo.12762
Pressick-Kilborn, K., Silk, M., & Martin, J. (2021). STEM and STEAM Education in Australian K–12 Schooling. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190264093.013.1684
Priyanti, N., & Warmansyah, J. (2021). The Effect of Loose Parts Media on Early Childhood Naturalist Intelligence. JPUD - Jurnal Pendidikan Usia Dini, 15(2), 239–257. https://doi.org/10.21009/jpud.152.03
Puji, C., & Hakobyan, A. (2025). The Impact of Open-Ended Learning on 21st-Century Skill Acquisition in Early Learners. Journal of Early Childhood Education and Teaching (JECET), 1(2), 90–100. https://doi.org/10.64840/jecet.v1i2.42
Qistina, N. I., & Khadijah, K. (2025). An Analysis of the Dhuha Prayer Program in Shaping Religious Character among 5–6-Year-Olds in Kindergarten. Indonesian Journal of Early Childhood Educational Research (IJECER), 4(1), 214. https://doi.org/10.31958/ijecer.v4i1.15283
Rahmatullah, R., Faeruz, R., Romadhon, D. R., & Rahiem, M. D. H. (2022). Instilling Islamic Values on STEAM Learning in Early Childhood Education to Produce Islamic Scientist. ThufuLA: Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan Guru Raudhatul Athfal. https://doi.org/10.21043/thufula.v10i2.16358
Rahmawati, R. D., & Haryanto, H. (2022). Characteristics of the Religious Element in STREAM Learning in Elementary Schools. KnE Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v7i14.12021
Ramdhani, S., Rokhiyah, I., Sapriati, A., Rosita, T., & Ambar Puspitasari, K. (2023). Development Of Local Culture-Based Steam Learning Evaluation Tool In Labuan, Pandeglang-Banten. Abdi Dosen : Jurnal Pengabdian Pada Masyarakat. https://doi.org/10.32832/abdidos.v7i1.1604
Ramsey, G. P. (2022). Integrating science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and music: Putting the arts in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) through acoustics. In The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (Vol. 152, Issue 2, pp. 1106–1111). Acoustical Society of America (ASA). https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0013571
Rodrigues-Silva, J., & Alsina, Á. (2023a). Conceptualising and framing STEAM education: what is (and what is not) this educational approach? In Texto Livre. SciELO Brasil.
Rodrigues-Silva, J., & Alsina, Á. (2023b). STEM/STEAM in Early Childhood Education for Sustainability (ECEfS): A Systematic Review. In Sustainability (Switzerland). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043721
Santika, D. A., Mulyana, E. H., & Nur, L. (2020). Pengembangan Media Pembelajaran Model STEM pada Konsep Terapung Melayang Tenggelam untuk Memfasilitasi Keterampilan Saintifik Anak Usia Dini. JURNAL PAUD AGAPEDIA. https://doi.org/10.17509/jpa.v4i1.27207
Silva-Hormazábal, M., & Alsina, Á. (2023). Exploring the Impact of Integrated STEAM Education in Early Childhood and Primary Education Teachers. Education Sciences. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13080842
Sit, M. (2022). Exploring The Knowledge And Experience Of Childhood Education Teachers On Steam Education In Indonesia. Educational Administration: Theory and Practice. https://doi.org/10.17762/kuey.v28i02.406
Soraya, Z. (2020). Penguatan Pendidikan Karakter untuk Membangun Peradaban Bangsa. Southeast Asian Journal of Islamic Education Management. https://doi.org/10.21154/sajiem.v1i1.10
Sugiono. (2014). Metode Penelitian Pendidikan: Pendekatan Kuantitatif, Kualitatif dan R&D. In Alfabeta Bandung.
Sullivan, A., & Bers, M. U. (2018). Dancing robots: integrating art, music, and robotics in Singapore’s early childhood centers. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 28(2), 325–346. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-017-9397-0
Sung, J., Lee, J. Y., & Chun, H. Y. (2023). Short-term effects of a classroom-based STEAM program using robotic kits on children in South Korea. International Journal of STEM Education. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-023-00417-8
Susan, I. N., Munawar, M., & Purwadi, P. (2023). Analisis Kemampuan Berpikir Kritis Anak Usia Sini Dalam Pengenalan Lingkungan Sosial Berbasis Steam. Wawasan Pendidikan. https://doi.org/10.26877/wp.v3i1.10361
Tannebaum, R. P. (2018). Teaching about religion within early childhood and elementary social studies: Exploring how preservice teachers perceive their rights and responsibilities as educators. Journal of Social Studies Education Research. https://doi.org/10.17499/jsser.63838
Tiasna, S., Betari Nisrina, A., & Vincencia, P. Y. (2023). Implementasi Model Pembelajaran Berbasis Steam Melalui Budaya Lokal “Batik Jumput’ Di Sekolah Dasar. Jurnal Review Pendidikan Dasar: Jurnal Kajian Pendidikan Dan Hasil Penelitian, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.26740/jrpd.v9n1.p17-22
Tillson, J. (2022). Children, Religion and the Ethics of Influence: An Overview. In Studies in Philosophy and Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11217-021-09803-7
Vygotsky, L., & Luria, A. (1978). Tool and Symbol in Child Development. Mind in Society.
Wareham, R. J. (2024). Noncognitive religious influence and initiation in Tillson’s Children, Religion and the Ethics of Influence. In Journal of Philosophy of Education. https://doi.org/10.1093/jopedu/qhae008
Warmansyah, J., Komalasari, E., Sari, M., & Yuningsih, R. (2023). Pelatihan Penguatan Pendidik PAUD Dalam Layanan Pembelajaran Kreatif dan Inovatif Melalui Pembelajaran STEAM. Journal of Social Outreach, 2(1), 78–90.
Warmansyah, J., Yuningsih, R., Sari, M., Solin, S. S., Violanimas, E., Deska, G. Y., & Rahmi, D. A. (2023). Utilization of Student Potential as Volunteers in Religious Social Activities in a Surau. DEDIKASI PKM, 4(2), 265. https://doi.org/10.32493/dedikasipkm.v4i2.30120
Warmansyah, J., Zulhendri, Z., & Amalina, A. (2021). The Effectiveness of Lore Traditional Games Towards The Ability to Recognize The Concept of Numbers on Early Childhood. Ta’dib, 24(2), 79. https://doi.org/10.31958/jt.v24i2.2685
Wilde, M. J., & Danielsen, S. (2014). Fewer and better children: Race, class, religion, and birth control reform in America. American Journal of Sociology. https://doi.org/10.1086/674007
Wmd, W. S. A., Mokhtar, M., & Yasim, A. M. (2020). Using Technologies to Cultivate Creativity in Visual Art. DEStech Transactions on Social Science, Education and Human Science. https://doi.org/10.12783/dtssehs/icedde2019/33707
Wulandani, C., Afina Putri, M., Indah Pratiwi, R., & Sulong, K. (2022). Implementing Project-Based Steam Instructional Approach in Early Childhood Education in 5.0 Industrial Revolution Era. Indonesian Journal of Early Childhood Educational Research (IJECER), 1(1), 29–37. https://doi.org/10.31958/ijecer.v1i1.5819
Wulandari, A., Kurniati, L., Hanifa, N., & Yuningsih, R. (2025). Enhancing the Success of Toilet Training for Children Aged 2-3 Years at the UIN Mahmud Yunus Batusangkar Laboratory Daycare. Journal of Community Service in Early Childhood Education, 1(1), 9–20. https://doi.org/00.00000/jcosece.vxix.xxx
Yulia, N., Warmansyah, J., & Jiwon, L. (2025). The Impact of Google Sites – Based Interactive Media Integrating Sumbang Duo Baleh on the Development of Politeness in Early Childhood. Journal of Early Childhood Education and Teaching, 1(1), 26–36. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.64840/jecet.v1i1.13
Zuidervaart, L. (2019). Social Domains of Knowledge: Technology, Art, and Religion. In Philosophia Reformata (Vol. 84, Issue 1, pp. 79–101). Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/23528230-08401072
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Nita Priyanti, Rita Mariyana , Debby Susanti , Rika Sadiyah, Restu Yuningsih
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a?áCreative Commons Attribution License?á(CC-BY-NC)?áthat allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
