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The impact of play-based learning on early mathematical communication skills in children aged 5–6 years Priyanti, Nita; Adrian, Teddy; Warmansyah, Jhoni; Amalina
Al-Jabar: Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika Vol 17 No 2 (2026): Al-Jabar: Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika
Publisher : Universitas Islam Raden Intan Lampung, INDONESIA

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24042/ajpm.v17i2.30914

Abstract

Purpose: Early mathematics learning in early childhood education often emphasizes procedural skills such as counting and number recognition, while mathematical communication receives less attention. Consequently, children have limited opportunities to express, represent, and interpret mathematical ideas meaningfully. This study aimed to examine the impact of play-based learning on early mathematical communication skills among children aged 5–6 years.Method: A quantitative approach employing a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design was used. The participants consisted of 32 children aged 5–6 years enrolled at Al Azkar Kindergarten, Pamulang, Indonesia. Data were collected using an observational instrument based on the learning trajectories framework and analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) to determine the effect of the intervention while controlling for initial ability.Findings: The results revealed a significant effect of play-based learning on early mathematical communication skills. Children in the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher posttest scores than those in the control group after controlling for pretest performance (p < .001). The intervention produced a very large effect (η²p = .886), indicating substantial improvement in children’s ability to express, represent, and interpret mathematical ideas through verbal, representational, visual, and symbolic forms of communication.Significance: This study provides empirical evidence that play-based learning is an effective approach for fostering multidimensional mathematical communication in early childhood. The findings contribute to the growing literature on early mathematics education by positioning mathematical communication as a central developmental outcome and highlighting the role of play in supporting meaningful mathematical learning.
Co-Authors Abdus Somad Adam Mudinillah Ade Novia Maulana Adha Karim, Nur Adrian, Teddy Afriane Ismandela Afriyane Ismandela Agusniwati, Fiola Ahmad Sabri Ahmad Sabri Ahmad Sabri Aisyah Safna Alfira Marfiyenti Amalina Amalina Amalina Amalina Amalina Amalina Amalina Amalina, Amalina Amelia Fitri Andriani, Lia Annis Azwin Binti Fakaruddin, Noor Ardhi, Aisha Satira Aribasoye, M.R. Aris, Maifalinda Arsyizahma Wita Arsyizahma Wita Azizah Azizah Azizah, Faiha Azizahtil Mardiah Badrudin Baehaqi Basri, Henny Hamdani Binti Fakaruddin, Noor Annis Azwin Bisma, Nur Daboti, Angraini Data, Mulya Rahman Demina Demina Desmita Desmita Desmita Dian Aulia Rahmi Dinda Fatma Nabila Dinda Fatma, Nabila Dini Maharani Elis Komalasari Eliza Febriyani Eliza Febriyani Elvi Rahmi Enjeli Violanimas Enji Novita Sari Evi Selva Nirwana Fatma Nabila, Dinda Febriani , Eliza Febriani, Eliza Fitri Yanti Fitri, Winda Syah Gebri Yela Deska Gusmiati Hidayati, Wilma Rahmah Husni, Suci Nisaul Idris, T Indah Puspita Sari, Indah Puspita Innes, Risky Marlianka Ismandela, Afriyane Jiwon, Lee Kadir Naffari, Abdul Khairunnisa Khairunnisa Khairunnisa Kharisma Diyenti, Adella Komalasari, Elis Lailatul Fadillah Lia Andriani Lutvia Dwi Syaiful Marjoni Imamora Ali Umar Masril Masril Masril Masril Mazlina Che Mustafa Meirison Meirison Meliana Sari Meliana Sari Meliana Sari Meliana Sari, Meliana Merta Verani Mila Karlaini Muliana, Husnul Nabila, Dinda Fatma Nasution, Maifatma Nina Suzanne Nirwana, Evi Selva Nita Priyanti Nova Yulia Novia Maulana, Ade Nur Annisa Nur Rahma Hannia Nurhasanah Nurhasanah Nurlaila Nurlaila Oktaviana, Winda Permatasari, Dola Prima Aswirna Puja Diandra Putri Wahyu, Widia Putri Yanti, Elsa Putri, Anis Putri, Hafifa Putri, Widya Putri, Winda Eka Rahayu Nola,Sari Rahmadani, Widia Rahman Data, Mulia Rahmanda Putri Rahmi, Dian Aulia Ravidah Regina Azzahra Restu Yuningsih Retno Wulandari Rosdiani, Amelia Safna, Aisyah Samat, N.A Samat, N.A. Sandora Wiska Bela Saobil Sobri Solin Sari Ramadona Setri Monalisa Sherly Wiliani Silvianetri, Silvianetri Sirajul Munir Siregar, Rahayu Yandira Siregar, Rahayu Yandira S Sobil Sobri Solin Solin, Saobil Sobri Somad, Abdus Sulong, Komareeyah Suswati Hendriani T. Idris Trimelia Utami, Winda Ulfatul Mardiah Urrahmah, Nisa Utami, Novianti Retno Utami, Novianti Retno Utami, Winda Trimelia Verani, Merta Wahidah Fitriani Wan Yaacob, Wan Mohd Yusoff Widya Putri, Pratiwi Wiliani, Sherly Wiliany, Sherly Wilma Rahmah Hidayati Winda Trimelia Utami Wiska Bela, Sandora Wulandari, Tiara Yandira Siregar, Rahayu Yandira, Rahayu Yulia, Resti Zalzabila, Zakiah Zulhendri Zulhendri Zulhendri Zulhendri