Participatory Action Research on Climate Change Education Through Gaming Approach in Indonesia: How Do Children with Functioning Difficulties Play and Learn?

Children with disabilities in low-income areas are at heightened risk under current and future climate change. Despite their potential in climate adaptation, they often face substantial barriers to information and participation. To empower them as agents of change who can learn, adapt and act for themselves, a tailored educational intervention is essential. This study explores the development of an adaptive climate change learning tool for children with physical and sensory difficulties in East Nusa Tenggara, one of the most disaster-prone regions in Indonesia. Guided by the Bicycle Model Framework, codeveloped by Hannele Cantell and her team, the research employed participatory action research methods, including observations, visual diaries, focus group discussions, and interviews. A gaming-based approach served as the central element, enhancing children’s learning motivation and long-term memory retention in climate change adaptation. The resulting tool, GENERAKSI, is a role-playing board game designed to foster cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills through strategic road arrangement, body movement, and collaborative teamwork. The findings demonstrate that an inclusive educational gaming approach can generate diverse playing patterns and responses among children with physical and sensory disabilities. This study highlights the potential of inclusive games as an innovative learning tool for climate change education and resilience.