ANALYSIS OF EXTERNAL FACTORS CAUSING THE LOW USE OF INDONESIAN AMONG EARLY CHILDHOOD CHILDREN IN WOLOSOKO VILLAGE

This study aims to analyze external factors associated with the low use of Indonesian among early childhood children in Wolosoko Village, Wolowaru District, Ende Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. This research employed a qualitative descriptive approach. Data were collected through non-participant observation and semi-structured interviews with eight informants, consisting of three parents, three peers, and two early childhood education teachers. The data were analyzed using the Miles and Huberman model, which includes data collection, data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. The findings indicate that the low use of Indonesian is associated with three external factors. First, the family environment is characterized by the dominance of the Lio language, limited shared reading activities, insufficient parental interaction, and a lack of learning media at home. Second, the community environment is characterized by the predominant use of Lio in peer interactions and children's tendency to imitate the vocabulary and speaking styles of adults. Third, the school environment is characterized by limited literacy activities and insufficient children's reading materials and learning media. This study concludes that the family, community, and school environments are interconnected in shaping children's language habits. Therefore, support from parents and teachers is needed through regular communication in Indonesian, literacy activities, and the provision of appropriate learning media, while continuing to preserve the Lio language as part of the local cultural identity.