Integrating Traditional Games to Enhance Creativity and Social Skills in Early Childhood Education Institutions

Early childhood education plays a crucial role in shaping children's social skills and creativity. Various approaches have been applied to improve this aspect, one of which is through the integration of traditional games in the learning process. This research aims to explore the role of traditional games in developing children's creativity and social skills in early childhood education institutions. Using literature study methods and library research approaches, this study analyzes various academic sources, journals, and previous research that discuss the relationship between traditional games and child development. The results of the study show that traditional games contribute significantly to improving children's social interaction, cooperation, and communication skills. In addition, the game also encourages imaginative exploration as well as problem-solving, which is an important aspect of the development of creativity. Traditional games based on local culture also strengthen children's cultural identity from an early age. However, challenges such as lack of support from educators and limited open space are obstacles in the implementation of traditional games in formal education settings. Therefore, policies that support the integration of traditional games in the curriculum and training for educators to make optimal use of them are needed. The findings of this study are expected to be a reference for educators and policymakers in improving the quality of early childhood learning through a culture-based approach.