The Impact of Interactive Game-Based Media on Enhancing Positive Discipline in Preschool Children

Positive discipline strategies are crucial for fostering healthy behavioral development in preschool children. Concurrently, the integration of interactive game-based media in educational settings has surged, offering innovative approaches to early childhood education. However, the effectiveness of these digital interventions in promoting positive disciplinary behaviors remains underexplored. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of interactive game-based media in enhancing positive discipline among preschool children. It further seeks to identify specific game elements that contribute to behavioral improvements. Utilizing a quasi-experimental design, the study involved 120 preschool children aged three to five years from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which engaged with specially designed interactive educational games focused on positive discipline principles, or a control group receiving traditional behavioral guidance methods. The intervention spanned eight weeks, with sessions conducted three times weekly. Data on positive discipline behaviors were collected through observational checklists and parent/teacher questionnaires administered pre-and post-intervention. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA and regression models, were employed to assess the impact of the game-based media. The intervention group demonstrated a significant increase in positive disciplinary behaviors compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Specific game elements, such as interactive storytelling and reward systems, were strongly associated with improvements in self-regulation and cooperative behaviors. Qualitative feedback indicated enhanced engagement and motivation among children interacting with the game-based media. Interactive game-based media effectively enhance positive discipline in preschool children, offering a viable complement to traditional behavioral strategies. These findings suggest that incorporating thoughtfully designed digital tools into early childhood curricula can support educators and parents in fostering desirable behavioral outcomes. Future research should explore long-term effects and the applicability of such interventions across diverse cultural contexts.