SS272: WEATHER 4 FUN: AN ART-INFUSED BOARD GAME FOR PRESCHOOL EDUCATION

NUR HAFIZOH BINTI IDRIS UNIVERSITI MALAYA

Early childhood education, often referred to as kindergarten, plays a crucial role in nurturing children's development. In Malaysia, continuous curriculum revisions are necessary to ensure students' future success. However, preschool teachers in Malaysia encounter challenges, primarily stemming from limited awareness of early childhood education principles. Consequently, traditional teaching methods like rote learning prevail over play-based approaches recommended by organizations such as the National Association for Early Childhood Education (NAEYC). This article delves into the design and development of art-based learning games for preschoolers, aiming to address two key research questions: 1. How can art-based educational games be efficiently designed and developed? 2. Are art-based learning games user-friendly and enjoyable? Employing a qualitative approach, the research establishes a game board module and assesses its validity and utility through surveys, particularly examining the usability of the "Weather 4 Fun" game. The research methodology integrates the Fun Toolkit, simple interviews, and observational surveys through video analysis. Guided by the ASSURE model, which outlines six steps for instructional design, the study emphasizes analyzing students, setting objectives, selecting methods and materials, implementing them, engaging students, and evaluating instruction. Initial findings indicate positive responses from children, both verbally and non-verbally, toward the Weather 4 Fun game, tailored for children aged 4 to 5.