GROSS MOTOR DEVELOPMENT THROUGH TRADITIONAL JUMP ROPE AND HOPSCOTCH GAMES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Abstract

This study examined changes in gross motor development after traditional jump rope (lompat tali) and hopscotch (engklek) activities among children aged 5-6 years at RA Ittihadul Khairi. A quantitative quasi-experimental pretest-posttest two-group design was used without a no-treatment control group. Twenty children were selected through purposive sampling and assigned to a jump rope group (n = 10) or a hopscotch group (n = 10). Each group received 12 structured play sessions over four weeks. Gross motor development was assessed using an eight-indicator observation sheet scored from 0 to 3, covering balance, one-foot jumping, locomotor control, eye-hand coordination, rhythm, movement accuracy, instruction following, and participation. The jump rope group improved from 10.20 to 18.70, with a mean gain of 8.50 points (95% CI: 7.53-9.47; t = -19.852; p < 0.001; Cohen's dz = 6.28). The hopscotch group improved from 10.00 to 18.60, with a mean gain of 8.60 points (95% CI: 7.70-9.50; t = -21.500; p < 0.001; Cohen's dz = 6.80). The posttest difference between groups was not significant (t = 0.234; p = 0.818; Cohen's d = 0.10). These findings indicate that both traditional games were associated with improved gross motor scores in this small sample, but the absence of a significant between-group difference should not be interpreted as statistical equivalence. Traditional games may be used as enjoyable and low-cost motor stimulation activities when implemented with clear rules, safety supervision, and adequate repetition.