UNDERSTANDING MOTHER’S LOVE THROUGH CHILDREN LITERATURE DI SMP MUHAMMADIYAH 1 KOTA TERNATE - Magfirah, Sulmi; Talaohu, Ahmad Rifani; Irsyadi, Hudan; Halil, Citra Buana (Journal of Community Empowerment, 2025)
ABSTRAK                                                                            Permasalahan rendahnya minat baca siswa dan kurangnya pemahaman terhadap nilai-nilai kasih sayang, khususnya kasih sayang seorang ibu, menjadi perhatian utama dalam program pengabdian ini. Observasi awal di SMP Muhammadiyah 1 Kota Ternate menunjukkan bahwa siswa cenderung kurang tertarik pada literatur anak dan memiliki pemahaman yang dangkal mengenai kasih sayang ibu. Program ini bertujuan untuk menumbuhkan empati dan kesadaran emosional siswa melalui pendekatan literasi sastra anak. Metode pelaksanaan yang digunakan adalah pendekatan kualitatif-partisipatif melalui serangkaian kegiatan literasi, seperti penyediaan buku cerita anak, pelatihan mendongeng, lomba puisi, diskusi interaktif dengan media visual dan digital, serta pelibatan orang tua dalam komunitas literasi keluarga. Sasaran kegiatan ini adalah siswa kelas 1 dan 2, guru, serta orang tua siswa, dengan total partisipan aktif sebanyak 20 siswa. Hasil kegiatan menunjukkan peningkatan signifikan dalam minat baca siswa dan pemahaman mereka terhadap nilai kasih sayang ibu. Selain itu, program ini berhasil membangun sinergi positif antara siswa, guru, dan orang tua dalam menciptakan budaya literasi dan pendidikan karakter berbasis sastra. Program ini berpotensi menjadi model praktik baik yang dapat direplikasi di sekolah-sekolah lain dengan karakteristik serupa. Kata kunci: kasih sayang ibu; sastra anak; literasi; pendidikan karakter; SMP. ABSTRACTThe issue of low reading interest among students and their limited understanding of core values, particularly a mother’s love, is the main focus of this community service program. Initial observations at SMP Muhammadiyah 1 Kota Ternate revealed that students showed little interest in children’s literature and had a shallow grasp of maternal affection. This program aims to foster empathy and emotional awareness among students through a literary-based approach using children’s literature. The implementation method employed a qualitative-participatory approach involving a series of literacy activities, such as the provision of children’s storybooks, storytelling training, poetry competitions, interactive discussions using visual and digital media, and the active involvement of parents through a family literacy community. The target participants included 1st and 2nd-grade students, teachers, and parents, with a total of 20 active students. The results showed a significant improvement in students’ reading interest and their understanding of a mother’s love. Additionally, the program successfully fostered positive collaboration among students, teachers, and parents in building a culture of literacy and character education through literature. This initiative holds potential as a model of best practice that can be replicated in other schools with similar contexts.  Keywords: mother’s love; children’s literature; literacy; character education; junior high school.