The Project Method and Its Effect on the Ability to Recognize Geometric Shapes in Early Childhood in the Era of Merdeka Belajar

Faculty of Teacher and Training, Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Intan Lampung, Lampung, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: sovia.masayu@radenintan.ac.id

Abstract

One of the learning methods promoted in the independent curriculum is the project method. This research explores the impact of the project method in the context of early childhood education related to geometry shape recognition. This study aims to investigate how the use of the project method in learning can affect young children’s ability to recognize and understand geometric shapes. The project method was implemented in a learning environment that provided children with practical and interactive experiences, while measurements of their ability to identify and utilize geometric concepts were conducted before and after the application of this method. This study used an observational approach to the control group and the group involved in project-based learning. The results showed that the children involved in the project method showed a significant improvement in their ability to recognize geometric shapes compared to the control group. This indicates that the project method has a positive influence in facilitating the understanding of geometry concepts at an early developmental stage. This finding has important implications for designing early childhood education curricula that focus on developing geometry skills. The implementation of the project method can be an effective alternative in improving children’s ability to recognize and understand geometric shapes, strengthening an important foundation for their future mathematical development.