DESIGN OF EDUCATIONAL GAMES BASED ON SHARIA FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD

Abstract

This research stems from the limitations of studies on educational game design that integrate sharia principles, child development theory, and modern game design. This approach, however, has significant potential in shaping the character of early childhood in the digital era. This research aims to design a conceptual framework and prototype of a sharia-based educational game that is engaging, effective, and appropriate for children aged 4–6 years. The method used is Research and Development (R&D) with the ADDIE model approach: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. The research participants consisted of three groups: 20 parents and early childhood education teachers for needs analysis, 5 experts (media, sharia, child psychology) for design validation, and 15 children for the trial, who were selected purposively. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, validation sheets, and observations during the prototype trial. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically, while quantitative data was processed descriptively. The findings indicate a significant need for digital media that instills moral values in a fun way, beyond just ritual worship. This research resulted in the "SAH-GAME" (Sharia-Aligned Holistic Game-based Education) framework, which combines Maqasid al-Shariah, constructivism, and educational game design. The prototype demonstrated high validity and strong levels of child engagement. The main conclusion: developing a Sharia-compliant educational game requires a synergy of religious content, pedagogy, and design aesthetics. The research's implications include theoretical contributions to the digital Islamic education literature and practical recommendations for developers and educators.