Instilling a Value of Responsibility in Early Childhood Through Habit Formation in Early Childhood Education Institutions

Abstract

Instilling a sense of responsibility in young children is a fundamental part of character education that cannot be postponed. This study stems from concerns about the declining sense of personal responsibility among children aged 5–6 years, particularly regarding neatness and cleanliness after eating. Early childhood education institutions in West Sumatra have implemented a “tidy up on your own” habit-forming approach derived from the values of the Prophet Muhammad’s hadith on dining etiquette as a strategy for instilling responsibility. This study aims to describe the implementation of this habit-forming approach, analyze the forms of responsibility exhibited by the children, and identify the factors that support and hinder its implementation. A descriptive qualitative approach was used, with data collection techniques including participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The research subjects consisted of the school principal, four teachers, and twelve students in Group B. Data analysis was conducted using the data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion-drawing model proposed by Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña. The research findings show that consistently and systematically instilling the habit of “tidying up after oneself” has proven effective in fostering a sense of responsibility in children, as evidenced by behaviors such as cleaning up food scraps, returning tableware to its proper place, and keeping the table clean. Hadiths on table manners provide a spiritual foundation that strengthens children’s internal motivation. Supporting factors include active teacher involvement, a conducive environment, and adult role modeling, while the main obstacle is inconsistency in the practice at home.