PENGEMBANGAN PROFESIONALISME GURU PAUD MELALUI PROGRAM LITERASI BERBASIS KEARIFAN LOKAL

Abstract

This community service program aimed to enhance the professionalism of Early Childhood Education  teachers through a local wisdom–based literacy program. The initiative was motivated by teachers’ limited understanding and skills in integrating literacy activities with local cultural contexts as meaningful learning resources for young children. The program was implemented through training sessions, mentoring, and hands-on practice in designing and applying local wisdom–based literacy activities in classroom learning. Participants consisted of 25 kindergarten teachers from a learning community teachers’ working group in Mojoroto District, Kediri City. The results demonstrate improvements in teachers’ understanding of early childhood literacy concepts, their ability to design contextual literacy activities, and their creativity in utilizing local cultural resources as instructional media. Overall, the program contributed positively to strengthening teachers’ pedagogical and professional competencies and supported the development of more relevant, meaningful, and culturally grounded learning experiences. Thus, local wisdom–based literacy programs represent an effective strategy for sustainable professional development in Early Childhood Education.