Use of Magnet Stick Games to Stimulate Children's Fine Motor Development in the Working Area of the Parangloe District Health Center. Gowa
The Community Service Team from the Indonesian Muslim University (UMI) chaired by Sunarti, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kes held Educational and Play Therapy activities with Magnet gamesSticksin Stimulating the development of fine motor skills of pre-school aged children in the Parangloe Gowa health center working area on Wednesday 16 October 2024.
This activity involved team members, Bachelor of Nursing Lecturers, namely Ernasari, S.Kep., Ns., M.Biomed and Midwifery study program lecturers, namely Halida Tamrin, S.ST., M.Keb, as well as two students (Murthafiah and Riska Amelia Matdoan).
Based on the results of direct interviews and surveys at the beginning of the visit to the posyandu, according to the Pokja Team and KIA PKM Parangloe Cadres, there are still many preschool age children who experience delays in growth and development which can be seen from the results of anthropometric examinations which are not appropriate for their age at every inspection activity at the Posyandu. This can certainly trigger developmental delays, especially in children's fine motor skills. After carrying out the examination, data was obtained that out of 10 mothers who had preschool age children, there were 9 children whose weight was less than the normal limit and the remaining children's weight was according to their age. Of these 10 mothers, they also said they did not understand how to stimulate children so they can grow and develop normally, they also did not understand that playing could stimulate children's fine motor development.
Through this activity, the Community Service Team carries out several activities as a first step in improving children's growth and development, including carrying out anthropometric examinations in the form of measuring children's weight and height, health education or education on how to stimulate children's growth and development and carrying out play therapy activities for children. Before the activity begins, a Pre Test is carried out first and ends with a Post test after the activity takes place, with the aim of assessing the mother's knowledge in stimulating her child's development. The implementation of this activity began with anthropometric measurements at the posyandu then continued with educational activities. The educational activity began with an opening by a moderator delivered by PkM Team Members from Nursing Lecturers, namely Ernasari, S.Kep., Ns., M.Biomed, then continued with the delivery of educational material about Stimulating Children's Fine Motor Development by the PkM Team leader, namely Sunarti, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kes. After the educational activities were completed, they continued with play therapy activities for children, this activity was guided directly by members of the PkM team, namely lecturers from the Midwifery Study Program, namely Halida Tamrin, S.ST., M.Keb and assisted by another team as facilitators, consisting of two nursing students acting as enumerators in distributing pre and post-test questionnaires, participant minutes and as a documentation team. In this activity, children are facilitated with the magnetic stick type educational puzzle game, where the rules for playing are that each child is given a package of play equipment in the form of a magnet stick and a picture as an example of the shape of the toy that the child will make or assemble correctly.
The children were very enthusiastic in completing their game, for them playing magnet sticks was very fun and was their first experience. The mothers of these children were no less enthusiastic, they were very happy because they had received new information about how to stimulate children's fine motor development by playing. This can be seen from their enthusiasm in asking questions and telling stories about their children's inappropriate playing experiences so far. The Community Health Center which is involved in this activity also hopes that this activity will continue and hopes that it can also be implemented in other Posyandu in the working area of the Parangloe Gowa Community Health Center.
On this occasion, the UMI Community Service Team would also like to thank the Chancellor of UMI through the Head of the Community Service Institute, Prof. H. Dirgahayu Lantara, for the funding support provided, so that this activity can be carried out well.
Through this educational activity and play therapy, it is hoped that mothers will continue to stimulate the development of their children's fine motor skills so that they can develop well according to their age stages.
