Differentiated Learning Management in Improving Children's Cognitive Development and Creativity in Kindergarten

Endang Ratnawati 1 Indonesia , Ahmad Yusuf Sobri 1 Indonesia , Imron Arifin 1 Indonesia
1 Universitas Negeri Malang
Link Copied!
Published 2025-12-27
Vol. 5 No. 1 (2025) PAGES 717-730
DOI 10.51574/ijrer.v5i1.4458
Views / Downloads 347 258

The implementation of the Independent Curriculum at the Early Childhood Education level faces challenges in accommodating the diverse characteristics and unique learning rates of children. This study aims to explain and analyze differentiated learning management and its impact on the cognitive development and creativity of early childhood at the Kindergarten Model in Malang City. The research method used was a qualitative approach with a case study design. The research subjects included the principal and teachers, with data collection techniques using participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation studies. Thematic data analysis was performed via data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion formulation, with its validity assessed through source and method triangulation. The results indicated that differentiated learning was managed systematically through the stages of planning, implementation, and assessment. Differentiation was applied to aspects of content, process, product, and learning environment by adjusting the level of readiness, interests, and learning profiles of children. This implementation has been proven to have a significant positive impact on cognitive development, especially in logical thinking, pre-mathematics, and simple problem-solving skills. In addition, children's creativity increased through meaningful play activities, free exploration, and the use of diverse media such as loose parts. This research provides a practical contribution as a reference for effective implementation strategies for the Independent Curriculum in Early Childhood Education units to create inclusive and child-centered learning.

Ratnawati, E., Sobri, A. Y., & Arifin, I. (2025). Differentiated Learning Management in Improving Children’s Cognitive Development and Creativity in Kindergarten. ETDC: Indonesian Journal of Research and Educational Review , 5(1), 717–730. https://doi.org/10.51574/ijrer.v5i1.4458
More Citation Formats
Download Citation

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
  1. Allen, L., Kelly, B. B., & National Research Council. (2015). Child development and early learning. In Transforming the workforce for children birth through age 8: A unifying foundation. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310550/
  2. Arofaturrohman, Y. A., Narimo, S., Muhibbin, A., & Haryanto, S. (2023). Differentiation Learning Innovation in Realizing Students' Creativity. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(SpecialIssue), 467-472. https://jppipa.unram.ac.id/index.php/jppipa/article/view/6159
  3. Asrifan, A., Ilyas, S. N., Hajerah, H., Saodi, S., Amri, N. A., & Dzulfadhilah, F. (2025). Theoretical Insights Into Childhood Education: A Comprehensive Literature Review. Shaping Childhood Through Educational Experiences, 29-54. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-9969-9.ch002
  4. Astuti, I., & Afendi, A. R. (2022). Implementation of differentiated learning through play activities in early childhood. EduLine: Journal of Education and Learning Innovation, 2(3), 358-365. https://doi.org/10.35877/454RI.eduline1264
  5. Chen, W. (2025). Problem-solving skills, memory power, and early childhood mathematics: Understanding the significance of the early childhood mathematics in an individual’s life. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 16(1), 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-023-01557-6
  6. Clarà, M. (2017). How instruction influences conceptual development: Vygotsky's theory revisited. Educational Psychologist, 52(1), 50-62. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2016.1221765
  7. Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications.
  8. Damayanti, D., Farihah, U., & Mislikhah, M. (2023). Implementation of Humanistic Learning Theory in Science and Technology Learning Towards Students' Creative Thinking Skills. Education and Sociedad Journal, 1(1), 24-31. https://doi.org/10.61987/edsojou.v1i1.525
  9. Demirci-Ünal, Z., & Öztürk, G. (2025). Is need-based action possible for each child?: Preschool teachers’ differentiated instruction within multicultural classrooms. Early Childhood Education Journal, 53(7), 2699-2718. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-024-01753-2
  10. Fakaruddin, F. J., Shahali, E. H. M., & Saat, R. M. (2024). Creative thinking patterns in primary school students’ hands-on science activities involving robotic as learning tools. Asia Pacific Education Review, 25(1), 171-186. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-023-09825-5
  11. Fidiasih, L., Triwahyuni, E., & Emyus, A. Z. (2025). Enhancing Critical Thinking and Learning Outcomes: The Impact of Differentiated Learning Strategies in Elementary School. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 11(4), 147-153. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v11i4.10611
  12. Geletu, G. M., & Mihiretie, D. M. (2024). The effects of primary school teachers’ professional development activities on differentiated instructional practices and possibilities of elevating students’ learning engagement. Education 3-13, 52(8), 1222-1237. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2022.2143722
  13. Goyibova, N., Muslimov, N., Sabirova, G., Kadirova, N., & Samatova, B. (2025). Differentiation approach in education: Tailoring instruction for diverse learner needs. MethodsX, 14, 103163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2025.103163
  14. Hidayat, N., Pratiwi, Y., & Mustaqim, I. (2025). Pembelajaran Berdiferensiasi dalam Kurikulum Merdeka. JIIP-Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Pendidikan, 8(7), 7637-7644. https://doi.org/10.54371/jiip.v8i7.8547
  15. Kastanja, J., & Patilima, H. (2024). Optimizing early childhood learning interest through a differentiated learning approach. Journal of Childhood Development, 4(1), 314-320. https://journal.iaimnumetrolampung.ac.id/index.php/jcd/article/view/4031
  16. Keane, T., Boden, M., Chalmers, C., & Williams, M. (2020). Effective principal leadership influencing technology innovation in the classroom. Education and Information Technologies, 25(6), 5321-5338. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-020-10217-0
  17. Kupers, E., Lehmann-Wermser, A., McPherson, G., & Van Geert, P. (2019). Children’s creativity: A theoretical framework and systematic review. Review of educational research, 89(1), 93-124. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654318815707
  18. Leggett, N. (2023). Creative and critical thinking in early childhood. In Integrated education and learning (pp. 109-127). Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15963-3_7
  19. Lestari, M. (2024). Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka di Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini (PAUD): Tinjauan Kritis dari Perspektif Guru. PERNIK, 7(1), 43-51. https://doi.org/10.31851/pernik.v7i1.15582
  20. Lestari, F., Alim, J. A., & Noviyanti, M. (2024). Implementation Of Differentiated Learning To Enhance Elementary School Students' Mathematical Critical And Creative Thinking Skills. International Journal of Elementary Education, 8(1), 178-187. https://doi.org/10.23887/ijee.v8i1.64295
  21. Mahfudz, M. S. (2023). Pembelajaran berdiferesiasi dan penerapannya. SENTRI: Jurnal Riset Ilmiah, 2(2), 533-543. https://doi.org/10.55681/sentri.v2i2.534
  22. Maslin, K., Murcia, K., Blackley, S., & Lowe, G. (2023). Fostering young children's creativity in online learning environments: A systematic literature review. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 47, 101249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2023.101249
  23. Murray, J. (2023). What is the purpose of education? A context for early childhood education. International Journal of Early Years Education, 31(3), 571-578. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669760.2023.2238399
  24. Ngaisah, N. C., & Aulia, R. (2023). Perkembangan pembelajaran berdiferensiasi dalam kurikulum merdeka pada pendidikan anak usia dini. Bunayya: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak, 9(1), 1-25. https://doi.org/10.22373/bunayya.v9i1.16890
  25. Nikkola, T., Kangas, J., & Reunamo, J. (2024). Children's creative participation as a precursor of 21st century skills in Finnish early childhood education and care context. Learning and Individual Differences, 111, 102437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2024.102437
  26. Ninsiana, W., Septiyana, L., & Suprihatin, Y. (2024). Introducing eco-literacy to early childhood students through digital learning. Journal of Education and Learning (EduLearn), 18(1), 89-96. https://doi.org/10.11591/edulearn.v18i1.20678
  27. Pardjono, P. (2016). Active learning: The Dewey, Piaget, Vygotsky, and constructivist theory perspectives. Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan Universitas Negeri Malang, 9(3), 105376. https://doi.org/10.17977/jip.v9i3.487
  28. Sayidah, I., & Hidayat, H. (2025). Differentiated Learning Management as a Catalyst for Positive School Culture Development in Kindergarten Settings. Journal of Innovation and Research in Primary Education, 4(4), 2273-2283. https://doi.org/10.56916/jirpe.v4i4.2073
  29. Sianturi, B. (2025). Teachers' Perceptions and Challenges in Implementing Differentiated Learning in Kurikulum Merdeka. J-SHMIC: Journal of English for Academic, 12(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.25299/jshmic.2025.vol12(1).21490
  30. Sumarmi, S., & Afendi, A. R. (2022). Improving Learning Creativity in Early Childhood Through Learning Media Loose Part: Energetic, Concentrated and Creative. EduLine: Journal of Education and Learning Innovation, 2(3), 392-398. https://doi.org/10.35877/454RI.eduline1262
  31. Surandika, W., Suriansyah, A., & Wahdini, E. (2023). Learning Alignment of School Readiness in One-Year Early Childhood Education Student to first grade of Elementary School. International Journal of Social Science And Human Research, 6(01), 414-425.
  32. Tomlinson, C. A. (2014). The differentiated classroom: Responding to the needs of all learners. Ascd.
  33. Tok, E. (2022). Early childhood teachers’ roles in fostering creativity through free play. International Journal of Early Years Education, 30(4), 956-968. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669760.2021.1933919
  34. Trisnani, N., Zuriah, N., Kobi, W., Kaharuddin, A., Subakti, H., Utami, A., ... & Yunefri, Y. (2024). Pembelajaran berdiferensiasi dalam kurikulum merdeka. PT. Mifandi Mandiri Digital.
  35. Veraksa, N., Colliver, Y., & Sukhikh, V. (2022). Piaget and Vygotsky’s play theories: The profile of twenty-first-century evidence. In Piaget and Vygotsky in XXI century: Discourse in early childhood education (pp. 165-190). Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05747-2_10
  36. Zulaikha, I. P. N., & Laeli, A. F. (2023). Differentiated learning in diverse students to meet curriculum targets. International Social Sciences and Humanities, 2(2), 436-441. https://proceeding.unmuhjember.ac.id/index.php/issh/article/view/259

Copyright (c) 2025 Endang Ratnawati, Ahmad Yusuf Sobri, Imron Arifin

Creative Commons License

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

Similar Articles

<< < 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.

Dimensions Badge

Downloads

Downloads
Crossmark Badge
Crossmark Badge
Section
Articles
Keywords
Cognitive Development Creativity Differentiated Learning Early Childhood Independent Curriculum
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC