Nurturing Early Childhood’s Character in Indonesia

Abstract

The cornerstone of children's future lies in character and religious education, a principle deeply emphasized in Indonesia, particularly during early childhood development. Within the Ahmadiyah community, education serves as a vital tool to ensure its continuity. This study examines how the Indonesian Ahmadi women in fostering character and religious education among their children. Using qualitative methods including observation, in-depth interviews, and focused group discussions with mothers from Kuningan and Yogyakarta, this research investigates the community's strategies in nurturing their children’s character and spirituality. Findings reveal the crucial roles Ahmadi women play in shaping their children's character, imparting values spanning religious, humanitarian, and civic spheres, such as honesty, discipline, accountability, politeness, compassion, and religious devotion. To overcome challenges in education, these women employ diverse strategies and rely on support from spouses, families, and the community. The Ahmadiyah community serves as the primary supporter, offering guidance and necessary resources to facilitate these efforts.

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Author Information
Siti Aisyah, Universitas Terbuka, Indonesia
Nina Mariani Noor, Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, Indonesia