UNIPMA – The Early Childhood Teacher Education Study Program (PG PAUD) of Universitas PGRI Madiun (UNIPMA) held a public lecture with the theme of School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS) at Cendekia Kids School (CKS), the PG PAUD UNIPMA laboratory school (lab school), on Saturday (18/7).

The activity aimed to strengthen students’ competence in storytelling techniques as preparation for becoming early childhood educators.

The public lecture featured storyteller Nur Kayati, S.Pd., or better known as Kak Aya. The activity was attended by the Vice Dean II of FKIP UNIPMA, Dwi Rosita Sari, M.Pd., Ph.D., PG PAUD lecturer Sofia Nur Afifah, M.Pd., lecturer of the Storytelling course Sindy Mey Dwi Utari, M.Pd., two teachers from Rumah Belajar All Kids, and two teachers from Cendekia Kids School.

Erliana Kusumaningsih, as the Head of the Organizing Committee, said in an interview that this public lecture was part of academic activities to support the learning process of the Storytelling course. Students gained knowledge as well as practical experience regarding storytelling techniques that are suitable for the characteristics of early childhood.

“Through the delivery of materials, demonstrations, and practices, students gained an overview of how storytelling activities can be applied in early childhood education learning,” she said on Tuesday (21/7).

The activity was attended by students from semesters 2, 4, 6, and 8. Semester 2 and 4 students received basic storytelling competency training, while semester 6 students prepared themselves for the School Field Introduction Program (PLP) II. Meanwhile, semester 8 students participated because they had not yet taken the Storytelling course implemented in the latest curriculum.

The lecturer of the Storytelling course, Sindy Mey Dwi Utari, M.Pd., appreciated the semester 6 students who served as the organizing committee. She considered that the cooperation and enthusiasm of the participants made the activity run according to its objectives.

“Through this public lecture, students not only understand the theory but also practice applying it directly,” said Sindy Mey Dwi Utari, M.Pd.

During the material session, Kak Aya explained the definition, types, and techniques of storytelling as the foundation for storytelling activities for early childhood. She then demonstrated a fable story with the theme of School Environment Introduction Period using a monkey-shaped hand puppet as a storytelling medium.

Afterwards, participants were divided into several groups to develop story themes and practice storytelling techniques based on the concepts they had created.

In addition to discussing storytelling techniques, the public lecture also covered the use of intonation, facial expressions, body movements, and supporting media to make storytelling delivery more effective and suitable for children’s developmental characteristics.

Through this activity, the PG PAUD Study Program of UNIPMA hopes that students will become more prepared to apply storytelling skills during lectures, the implementation of PLP, and when entering the professional world as early childhood educators.