DEVELOPMENT OF ILLUSTRATED STORYBOOK MEDIA FOR EDUCATING CHILDREN AGED 3-6 ABOUT THE VALUE OF GRATITUDE

Abstract

Early childhood is a crucial stage in the development of a child's character. Introducing the value of gratitude at an early age can help children develop positive attitudes, humility, and greater happiness. However, there is still a lack of educational media that is appropriate for the developmental stage of young children to instill this value. Therefore, there is a need for effective and engaging media, such as illustrated storybooks. This study aims to design an educational medium in the form of an illustrated storybook that can introduce and instill the value of gratitude in early childhood (3–6 years). The research method used is a mixed-method approach, employing questionnaires distributed to parents. The final result of this study is an illustrated storybook entitled "Learning to Be Grateful from My Friend," specifically designed for children aged 3–6 years. The study concludes that illustrated storybooks are an effective medium for instilling moral values such as gratitude in young children, making the learning process more understandable and enjoyable. This book can serve as an educational tool for teachers and parents to teach gratitude, while also supporting the development of positive character traits from an early age.