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Implementing Healthy Lifestyles Through Nutritious Eating Habits in Early Childhood: A Case Study at Mutiara Kindergarten, West Aceh Hasanah, Janatul; Kustina, Rika; Fidiawati, Liza
Journal of Nutrition and Public Health Vol. 1 No. 3 (2025): Journal of Nutrition and Public Health
Publisher : CV. Dyoqu Publishing Management

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.64780/jnph.v1i3.98

Abstract

Background: Early childhood is a golden period that greatly determines growth and development in later life. However, parents' busy work schedules often result in suboptimal provision of nutritious food for children, who are more often given low-nutrient ready-to-eat meals. This condition has an impact on the low level of healthy lifestyle habits from an early age. Aims: This study aims to describe the implementation of healthy lifestyles through the habit of eating nutritious food in children aged 4–5 years and to identify the obstacles encountered in its implementation at Mutiara Bangsa Kindergarten, Kaway XVI District, West Aceh Regency. Methods: This study used a qualitative field research approach. Data were collected through observation, structured interviews with five parents and several teachers, and documentation. The research instruments consisted of observation sheets, child development assessment rubrics, and interview guides. Data analysis was conducted using the Miles and Huberman interactive model, which included data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing, and was tested for validity through source triangulation. Results: The results showed that most children had begun to adopt clean and healthy habits and brought nutritious meals from home. Teachers actively guided children in group meals, limited snacks from outside, and instilled an understanding of healthy food. The main obstacles faced were parents' limited time to prepare healthy meals, children's tendency to choose food based on taste, and the influence of unhealthy snacks around the school. Conclusion: The implementation of a healthy lifestyle through nutritious eating habits has proven to be effective in fostering healthy habits in early childhood, while also supporting children's physical and cognitive development. Continuous collaboration between teachers and parents is needed to maintain the consistency of the program, as well as the expansion of its implementation in other early childhood education institutions in an effort to shape a generation of children who are healthy, intelligent, and resilient from an early age.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MERDEKA MODEL AS AN EFFORT TO BUILD A FAMILY LITERACY CULTURE Rika Kustina; Vismaia S. Damaianti; Andoyo Sastromiharjo; Barkatun Nisa Alfia; Yusrawati Jr Simatupang; Masnun Masnun
Jurnal Visipena Vol 17 No 1 (2026)
Publisher : Lembaga Penelitian dan Pengabdian (LP2M) STKIP Bina Bangsa Getsempena

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar

Abstract

Family literacy plays an important role in fostering children's reading habits, strengthening emotional bonds, and supporting character development from an early age. However, family literacy practices in Indonesian households remain largely sporadic and are not yet supported by a practical framework that parents can implement independently. This study aims to describe the implementation of the MERDEKA Model in home-based literacy activities and to identify parents' initial responses to its implementation. The study formed part of a Research and Development (R&D) project and focused on a limited field trial involving six families with children aged 4 to 10 years at the SDIT Al-Amanah Library in Lembang. The MERDEKA Model was implemented independently by each family over a seven-day period through seven sequential stages: Shared Reading, Meaning Exploration, Critical Reflection, Guided Discussion, Literacy Empathy, Effective Communication, and Literacy Action. Data were collected through observation, interviews, questionnaires, and written reflections, and were analyzed descriptively. The findings indicate that the implementation of the model received positive responses from most parents, as reflected in stronger emotional connections with their children, greater ease in conducting regular literacy activities, and appreciation for the model's structured stages. Nevertheless, the relatively short implementation period did not result in meaningful changes in children's reading interest. These findings suggest that the MERDEKA Model has the potential to serve as a practical framework for implementing family literacy activities at home. Further implementation over a longer period and adaptation to children's developmental characteristics and reading interests are needed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the model's impact.