Implementation of the Al-Qur'an Curriculum at Al-Ikhwan Kindergarten Kualuh Hilir in Building Islamic Character in Early Childhood

Abstract The Al-Qur'an curriculum implemented in early childhood education institutions can play a role in shaping Islamic character in children. This study aims to explore the implementation of the Al-Qur'an curriculum in Al-Ikwan Kindergarten Kualuh Hilir, North Labuhanbatu, in shaping Islamic character in early childhood. The curriculum is designed by integrating educational values that emphasize moral training, discipline, and basic understanding of Islamic teachings from an early age. This study uses a descriptive qualitative approach, with data collection techniques in the form of interviews with the principal, teachers and parents of students, observations conducted during the learning process and document reviews in the form of learning tools and curriculum. The research findings indicate that the implementation of the Al-Qur'an policy has a positive contribution to the development of Islamic character in children, which is reflected in their increased understanding of moral and religious values, as well as behavior that is in line with Islamic principles. The results of this study are expected to be a reference in the development of Islamic education curriculum in early childhood education to shape superior character based on Islamic teachings. Abstrak Kurikulum Al-Qur’an yang diterapkan di lembaga pendidikan anak usia dini dapat berperan dalam membentuk karakter Islami pada anak-anak. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengeksplorasi pelaksanaan kurikulum Al-Qur'an di TK Al-Ikwan Kualuh Hilir, Labuhanbatu Utara, dalam membentuk karakter islami pada anak usia dini. Kurikulum tersebut dirancang dengan mengintegrasikan nilai-nilai pendidikan yang tekanan pelatihan akhlak, kedisiplinan, serta pemahaman dasar ajaran Islam sejak dini. Penelitian ini mnggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif, dengan teknik pengumpulan data berupa wawancara kepala sekolah, guru dan orang tua siswa, observasi dilakukan pada proses pembelajaran yang dilakukan dan telaah dokumen berupa perangkat pembelajaran dan kurikulum. Temuan penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penerapan kebijakan Al-Qur'an memberikan kontribusi positif terhadap perkembangan karakter Islami anak-anak, yang tercermin dari meningkatnya pemahaman mereka terhadap nilai-nilai moral dan keagamaan, serta perilaku yang selaras dengan prinsip-prinsip Islam. Hasil penelitian ini diharapkan menjadi acuan dalam pengembangan kurikulum pendidikan Islam di jenjang pendidikan anak usia dini untuk membentuk karakter yang unggul berdasarkan ajaran Islam. Kata kunci: Kurikulum; Al-Qur’an; Karakter Islam dan Anak Usia Dini