The Integration of Music and Dance Arts in the Gross Motor Skills (Locomotor) of Children Aged 5-6 Years

Abstract

Gross motor development is one of the important aspects in early childhood development. Gross motor skills, especially locomotor movements such as walking, running, jumping, and moving places, need to be stimulated through fun and meaningful activities. One form of stimulation that can be done is through the integration of traditional music and dance arts. This study aims to determine the influence of the integration of music and dance arts of Kidabela on the gross motor skills (locomotor) of children aged 5–6 years in Ambon. This study uses a quantitative method with a quasi-experimental design. The subject of the study is children aged 5–6 years at an early childhood education institution in Ambon. The data collection technique uses observation and assessment sheets of gross motor development. The results of the study show that the integration of music and dance arts of Kidabela has a positive influence on the improvement of children's gross motor skills, especially in locomotor movements such as walking, jumping, and moving to the rhythm of music. Thus, learning based on local cultural arts can be an alternative learning strategy to improve early childhood motor development.