The Intervention Model Illustrates the Use of “Cultural Games” to Enhance Multiple Intelligences, Particularly “Interpersonal Intelligence,” in Children With Disabilities, Especially Those With Down Syndrome

Background Children with Down syndrome often struggle to interact with others, leading to their exclusion from the play environment. Playing cultural games is one of the interventions that can help develop and improve interpersonal intelligence in children with Down syndrome. Therefore, this study aims to identify the effect of cultural game intervention on interpersonal intelligence in children with Down syndrome. Method This study is qualitative in nature, using a case study approach. In qualitative research, systematic observation methods are used to collect research data. This study aims to examine the impact of cultural games on the interpersonal intelligence of children with Down syndrome before and after the cultural games intervention. This study selected ten children with Down syndrome, aged seven to twelve years, as study respondents using purposive sampling methods. The results The results of the study indicated that cultural games can promote and improve the interpersonal intelligence characteristics of children with Down syndrome, such as cooperation, empathy, having many friends, being admired, and understanding the nature of others. However, children with Down syndrome are unable to demonstrate the intelligence characteristics of leadership and problem-solving. Conclusion Children with Down syndrome can improve their interpersonal intelligence through intervention using cultural play models. This is because cultural play includes aspects of interpersonal intelligence.