Development of Culturally-Based Children's Storybooks with Digital Integration

This study aims to support and enhance elementary school students' understanding of local culture through the development of storybooks enriched with Minangkabau cultural values, facilitated by digital reading media with additional video access. Children's cultural awareness may diminish if not introduced early, making this research focus on the development of Indonesian-language children's storybooks that are not only entertaining but also educational about cultural diversity. Additionally, it aims to improve students' Indonesian language skills through the integration of videos on digital media platforms. Using the Research and Development (R&D) method by Borg and Gall, the study encompasses preliminary analysis, storybook development, expert validation, limited and broader trials, experimental testing, and dissemination. The storybook Rofa dan Randai underwent validation for graphics, linguistics, and content, receiving high validity ratings with suggestions for improvement in illustrations and language use. Trials and observations conducted with 29 fourth-grade students revealed that the storybook is highly practical according to educators and students and is moderately effective in improving both understanding of Minangkabau culture and literacy skills. The intervention demonstrated positive outcomes, with students showing better comprehension of cultural messages, improved reading skills, and enhanced abilities to identify the main ideas within the stories.