The Use of Animation Media for the Understanding of the Concept of Letter Recognition in Early Childhood
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59966/w4thr614Keywords:
animation media, understanding concepts, letter recognition, early childhoodAbstract
Purpose – Early childhood literacy serves as a vital foundation for academic success, yet traditional teaching methods often struggle to maintain engagement and clarity in letter recognition. This study investigates the influence of animation media on children’s conceptual understanding of letters, specifically focusing on visual shapes, names, and phonemic sounds.
Design/Methodology/Approach – The research employed a pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design involving children aged 4–6 years. Data were collected through quantitative letter recognition tests and qualitative teacher observations and questionnaires. The study utilized data triangulation—combining performance scores with behavioral observations—to ensure a comprehensive analysis of the media's impact.
Findings – The findings indicate a significant improvement in early literacy skills following the intervention. Before the treatment, children demonstrated low baseline scores, particularly in distinguishing mirror-image letters (e.g., b–d, p–q) and consistent phonetic naming. After learning through animation media, children showed a marked increase in visual recognition accuracy and verbal confidence. Qualitative data revealed that the classroom atmosphere became more conducive to learning, with children showing higher levels of enthusiasm and sustained attention compared to conventional methods.
Originality/Value – The results demonstrate that animation media effectively bridges the gap between abstract symbols and concrete cognitive understanding by providing multisensory stimulation. Unlike generic entertainment content, the structured instructional design of the media used in this study successfully balanced digital engagement with pedagogical goals. This study concludes that animation media is a feasible, relevant, and effective tool for early childhood education, serving as a practical reference for educators to modernize literacy instruction.
References
Af Nabilah, K. I., Yuliati, N., & Widiastuti, R. Y. (2024). The influence of Labhur media (Letter maze) on letter recognition in children aged 4-5 years. JECER (Journal of Early Childhood Education and Research), 6(1).
Afifah, L., Setyaningsih, K., Oktamarina, L., Wigati, I., & Cindrya, E. (2023). The influence of animation media with the ability to recognize the alphabet through pictures in group B children of PAUD Sinar Mulya Teluk Gelam. Journal of Education and Counseling (JPDK), 5(2), 5642–5651.
Ajar, A., & PPG. (2010). Early childhood learning media. Jakarta: Directorate General of Early Childhood Education.
Alfina, C. S., Fauziah, P. Y., Amalia, D., & Ulfah, K. U. (2023). Development of soft books as a medium for the introduction of hijaiyah letters in early childhood. Journal of Obsession: Journal of Early Childhood Education, 7(6).
Aminah, M. (2023). Development of learning animation video media to improve early childhood language skills. Indonesian Journal of Elementary School, 3(2), 236–242.
Anggita, R., Sormin, D., Lubis, J. N., & Nopriani Lubis, J. (2023). Efforts to improve children's ability to recognize letters through smart tree media. Journal of Obsession: Journal of Early Childhood Education, 7(5), 5919–5930.
Annisa, I., Munawar, M., & Prasetiyawati, H. (2023). Animation media as a means of early childhood learning. Journal of Obsession: Journal of Early Childhood Education, 7(5), 4567–4578.
Ayunda, E. N., & Aulina, C. N. (2023). Increasing ability to recognize letters through animation media in children aged 5–6 years in kindergarten. Indonesian Journal of Education Methods Development, 22.
Ayuni, N. M., & Paramita, M. V. A. (2024). The impact of using audio-visual media to improve letter recognition ability in kindergarten.Journal of Early Childhood Education Undiksha, 12(1), 147–154.
Barton, E. E., & Broekhuizen, M. L. (2022). Early language development: Foundations and importance for educational outcomes. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 61, 1–12.
Basse, A., et al. (2024). Impact of shared reading with decodeable texts on preschoolers' early literacy skills: A quasi-experimental study. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science.
Basir, S. N., Salsabila, P. M., Husnah, N. A., Karimah, D. A., & Hasan, M. R. (2025). Literacy Tile Learning Media to Improve the Reading Skills of Remote Students. Journal of Happiness: Community Service, 3(01), 234-245.
Bautista, G. F., et al. (2024). Stimulating preschoolers' early literacy development using educational technology: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction.
Buulolo, F. A., Herlina, J., & Herlina, E. S. (2023). The effect of the use of audiovisual media on the early reading ability of children aged 4-6 years. Khirani: Journal of Early Childhood Education, 1(3), 133–139.
Capili, B. (2024). An introduction to the quasi-experimental design including the one-group pretest-posttest design. American Journal of Nursing.
Chuang, C., & Jamiat, N. (2023). A systematic review on the effectiveness of children's interactive reading applications for promoting emergent literacy. Contemporary Educational Technology, 15(2), ep412.
Dhevi, D. (year not mentioned). Interactive learning multimedia of number and letter recognition for kindergarten. Arty: Journal of Fine Arts.
Fitri, E., & Ruslan, M. (2025). The implementation of the storytelling method in fostering interest in early childhood learning in the introduction of hijaiyah letters. JIIP – Scientific Journal of Educational Sciences, 8(3), 2790–2796.
Gonzalez, J. E., Pollard-Durodola, S., Simmons, D. C., Taylor, A. B., & Davis, M. J. (2020). Developing early literacy skills: The role of language and phonological awareness. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 67, 101120.
Handayani, R., Yuwono, M., & Fatahillah, A. (2020). The influence of animated film media on the understanding of early childhood mathematics concepts. Journal of Education and Learning, 7(2), 101–110.
Helvina, M., Noeng, A. Y., & Timba, F. N. S. (2021). The effect of the use of animation media on students' initial reading ability during the Covid-19 pandemic. Tunas Nusantara, 3(2), 379–386.
Indriyani, F., & Sihite, K. R. (2015). Recognition of letters, numbers and colors in early childhood through multimedia-based learning. Paradigm, 17(1), 20–28.
Irawan, K., et al. (2024). One group pretest-posttest design in elementary education. Journal of Basicedu, 8(4), 2647–2659.
Irawan, K., Ismaya, E. A., & Pratiwi, I. A. (2024). The effect of the problem based learning model assisted by jungle media on the critical thinking skills of elementary school students. Journal of Basicedu, 8(4), 2647–2659.
Irfan, A., & Supriyati, Y. (2022). Quasi-experimental design in education: A literature review. Scientific Journal of Mandala Education, 8(3), 2476–2482.
Kresnawati, E., Yulianingsih, T., & Wulandari, A. (2023). The effect of the use of animated video-based e-flashcards on pre-reading ability of early childhood. Journal of Early Childhood Education Undiksha, 11(3), 456–468.
Kresnawati, N. K. A. S., Suarjana, M., & Wirabrata, D. G. F. (2022). Animated video-based e-flashcard learning media for early childhood pre-reading abilities. Journal of Early Childhood Education Undiksha, 11(2), Article 64862.
Lumbin, N. F., Ardini, P. P., & Jamin, N. S. (2023). The effect of digital card media towards children's ability to recognize letters. Journal of Early Childhood Education.
Maghfiroh, S., & Suryana, D. (2021). Learning media for early childhood in early childhood education. Journal of Tambusai Education, 5(1), 1560–1566.
Maghfiroh, S., & Suryana, D. (2021). Learning media for early childhood in early childhood education. Journal of Tambusai Education, 5(1), 1560–1566.
Mardani, P. S. (2022). The use of pictorial animation media in developing early childhood reading skills. PAUD Lectura: Journal of Early Childhood Education, 5(2), 63–75.
Marsden, E., & Torgerson, C. J. (2012). Single group, pre- and post-test research designs: Some methodological concerns. Oxford Review of Education, 38(5), 583–616.
Mayer, R. E. (2021). Multimedia learning (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Munar, A., & Suyadi, S. (2021). The use of animation media in improving early childhood listening skills. KINDERGARTEN: Journal of Islamic Early Childhood Education, 4(2), 155–164.
Neumann, M. M., & Neumann, D. L. (2022). The role of digital media in early childhood language and literacy development. Computers & Education, 180, 104429.
Novelia, A., & Hazizah, N. (2020). Factors that affect letter recognition in early childhood. Journal of Early Childhood Education, 5(2), 112–120.
Nurjanah, S., Nurrohmah, E., & Zahro, I. F. (2018). Improving early childhood literacy skills through animation media. Journal of Ceria, 1(1), 393–398.
Paul, C. D. (2023). Incorporating technology into instruction in early childhood classrooms: A systematic review. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
Pratiwi, H., & Kurniawan, A. (2022). The effectiveness of interactive animation media in improving early childhood literacy. Golden Age: Journal of Early Childhood Education, 6(1), 45–56.
Putra, L. D., & Ishartiwi, I. (2015). Development of interactive learning multimedia to recognize numbers and letters for early childhood. Journal of Educational Technology Innovation, 2(2), 169-178.
Putri, N. A., Suryadi, D., & Rahmawati, E. (2023). Improving early childhood vocabulary through animated video media. Journal of Early Childhood Care and Education, 5(2), 102–112.
Putri, R. Y., Puspita Sari, R., Setiawati, Y., Rahman, A., Salsabila, D., & Ningtyas, A. R. (2024). Animated video-based learning media for enhancing vocabulary development in early childhood education. Journal of Early Childhood Care and Education, 6(2), article 6930.
Radesky, J. S., & Christakis, D. A. (2016). Media and young minds. Pediatrics, 138(5), e20162591.
Rahayu, P. D., Turuy, S., & Husen, W. N. (2024). Development of letter multimedia props for letter recognition for children aged 4-5 years in PAUD. Journal of Obsession: Journal of Early Childhood Education, 8(5), 964–975.
Rahmasari, A., Arda, A. S. M., Oktavia, D., & Hidayati, S. (2022). The application of flashcard media in letter recognition for early childhood. ABNA: Journal of Islamic Early Childhood Education, 3(2), 78–87.
Sahir, S. H. (2021). Educational research methodology. Jakarta: Prenada Media.
Saputri, D., & Diana, N. (2024). The effectiveness of fairy tale animation media to improve early childhood storytelling skills. BELIA: Early Childhood Education Papers, 13(1), 12–21.
Sari, R., Fitriana, N., & Nurhayati, L. (–). The effect of the use of animated videos on the numeracy skills of children aged 5–6 years. EduBasic Journal: Journal of Basic Education, 6(1), 77–88.
Sartika, R., & Alimudin. (2025). The influence of using animated videos on the symbolic thinking skills of 5-6 year olds. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 6(1), 27–40.
Smagorinsky, P. (2018). Vygotsky's stage theory: The psychology of art and the actor under the direction of perezhivanie. Learning, Culture and Social Interaction, 16, 23–30.
Stratton, S. J. (2019). Quasi-experimental design (pre-test and post-test studies) in prehospital and disaster research. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 34(6), 573–574.
Sugiyono. (2012). Quantitative, qualitative, and R&D research methods. Bandung: Alfabeta.
Suryana, D. (2020). Early childhood education: Learning theory and practice. Prenadamedia Group. Tiktok, 2025.
Wu, H., Eungpinichpong, W., Ruan, H., Chen, W., Yang, Y., & Dong, X. (2024). Towards sustainable early education practices: A quasi-experimental study on the effects of kindergarten programs on literacy and self-regulation. Sustainability, 16(4), 1400.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 International Journal on Education Issues

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

