Internalization of Moral Education Values through Traditional Games at RA Athfalul Huda GUPPI

This study investigates the internalization of moral education values through traditional games in an Islamic early childhood education institution, focusing on the implementation of play-based activities, teacher facilitation, and children's emerging moral behaviors. Adopting a qualitative field research approach, the study was conducted at RA Athfalul Huda GUPPI, Qurnia Village, Mataram, Indonesia. Research participants were purposively selected and included the school principal, teachers, and children involved in traditional game-based learning. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation, and analyzed using the Miles and Huberman interactive model, comprising data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. Data credibility was supported through source and methodological triangulation and sustained observation. The findings identify four traditional games Cublak-Cublak Suweng, Gobak Sodor, Petak Umpet, and Dakon—as learning activities that provide opportunities for children to experience and practice moral values through shared rules, peer interactions, turn-taking, and collaborative participation. Teacher facilitation, particularly through behavioural modelling, rule reinforcement, guidance, and post-activity reflection, emerged as an important component of the moral learning process. The values addressed through these activities included honesty, trustworthiness, responsibility, patience, cooperation, sportsmanship, tolerance, humility, and social awareness. Furthermore, parent-reported observations indicated that some positive behavioral practices were also reflected in children's interactions at home. These findings highlight the pedagogical potential of culturally embedded traditional games as a context for experiential moral education. The study contributes a contextually grounded understanding of how traditional play and teacher mediation can support the development of moral awareness and emerging behavioral practices in Islamic early childhood education.