Pengaruh STEAM Berbahan Loose parts  Terhadap   Kemampuan    Motorik Halus dan Kognitif Anak Usia 4-5 Tahun. 

The Effect of STEAM Made from Loose parts on Fine Motor and Cognitive Skills of Children 4-5 Years of Age Years. Tesis. 

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) dengan menggunakan loose parts (bahan-bahan bekas dan bahan alam) terhadap kemampuan motorik halus dan kognitif anak usia 4-5 tahun di TK Dharma Wanita Bluru Kidul, Kecamatan Sidoarjo. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan desain quasi eksperimen. Subjek penelitian terdiri dari 50 anak, yang dibagi menjadi kelompok eksperimen dan kelompok kontrol, masing-masing berjumlah 25 anak. Kelompok eksperimen menerima pembelajaran STEAM berbahan loose parts, sementara kelompok kontrol menerima pembelajaran konvensional. Kemampuan motorik halus dan kognitif diukur melalui pre-test dan post-test.   Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pembelajaran STEAM berbahan loose parts berpengaruh positif terhadap peningkatan kemampuan motorik halus dan kognitif anak. Pada kemampuan motorik halus, kelompok eksperimen menunjukkan peningkatan yang lebih besar dibandingkan kelompok kontrol, dengan gain score 2 berbanding 1. Rata-rata skor pre-test kelompok kontrol adalah 7,08 dan posttest 8,08, sedangkan kelompok eksperimen 8,24 dan 10,24. Pada kemampuan kognitif, gain score kelompok eksperimen adalah 2,52, sementara kelompok kontrol 1,32. Rata-rata skor pre-test kelompok kontrol adalah 7,08 dan post-test 8,4, sedangkan kelompok eksperimen 7,56 dan 10,08. Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini adalah pembelajaran STEAM dengan bahan bekas dan bahan alam efektif meningkatkan kemampuan motorik halus dan kognitif anak usia 4-5 tahun. Peningkatan ini diduga karena anak-anak terlibat aktif dalam kegiatan yang merangsang koordinasi mata-tangan, kekuatan jari, ketelitian, serta kemampuan kognitif seperti berhitung dan memecahkan masalah. Bahan bekas dan bahan alam sebagai media pembelajaran memberikan fleksibilitas dan kesempatan bagi anak untuk mengeksplorasi berbagai bentuk, ukuran, dan tekstur, sehingga mendukung perkembangan kreativitas dan imajinasi anak.

This study aims to determine the effect of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) using loose parts (used materials and natural materials) on fine motor and cognitive abilities of children aged 4-5 years at Dharma Wanita Bluru Kidul Kindergarten, Sidoarjo District. This study used a quantitative approach with a quasi experimental design. The research subjects consisted of 50 children, which were divided into experimental groups and control groups, each totaling 25 children. The experimental group received STEAM learning made from loose parts, while the control group received conventional learning. Fine motor and cognitive skills were measured through pretest and post-test.   The results showed that STEAM learning made from loose parts had a positive effect on improving children's fine motor and cognitive abilities. In fine motor skills, the experimental group showed a greater improvement than the control group, with a gain score of 2 versus 1. The average pre-test score of the control group was 7.08 and post-test 8.08, while the experimental group was 8.24 and 10.24. In cognitive ability, the experimental group's gain score was 2.52, while the control group's was 1.32. The average pre-test score of the control group was 7.08 and post-test 8.4, while the experimental group was 7.56 and 10.08. The conclusion of this study is that STEAM learning with used materials and natural materials is effective in improving fine motor and cognitive skills of children aged 4-5 years. This improvement is thought to be because children are actively involved in activities that stimulate hand-eye coordination, finger strength, accuracy, and cognitive abilities such as counting and problem solving. Used and natural materials as learning media provide flexibility and opportunities for children to explore different shapes, sizes and textures, thus supporting the development of their creativity and imagination.