<![CDATA[The issue of waste, particularly inorganic waste, requires a sustainable management strategy alongside an educational approach capable of fostering environmentally conscious behavior from an early age. This study aims to develop Lahpah (an acronym for Waste Sorting dance music grounded in Papuan culture using an experimental approach to serve as a medium for environmental education and the cultivation of environmental awareness in young children. The study employs a qualitative approach with a practice-based research design, positioning exploration, experimentation, creation, and artistic reflection as integral components of the research process. The research was conducted at YPPK Bintang Kecil Kindergarten in Jayapura City from June to December 2025. Data were gathered through observation, in-depth interviews, documentation, and literature review, and subsequently analyzed interactively through data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. The results indicate that inorganic waste holds potential as material for alternative musical instruments through processes of selection, cleaning, design, and acoustic experimentation. This exploration yielded rhythmic instruments and aerophones, which were then integrated into a children's song titled Sorting and Selecting Waste and a dance choreography representing the actions of collecting, sorting, and maintaining environmental cleanliness. The integration of musical elements, movement, and Papuan cultural values created an artistic experience that was contextual, participatory, and educational. Children's responses during rehearsals demonstrated active engagement through observing, playing instruments, imitating rhythmic patterns, and performing choreographic movements. The design of Lahpah dance music offers potential as an arts-based learning model that integrates artistic innovation, local culture, environmental education, and the development of environmental consciousness in young children.]]>
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