A team of students from Universitas Indonesia (UI) has created the latest innovation in the world of education for children with intellectual disabilities. Through a community service program titled “Pembelajaran Sex Education Anak Berkebutuhan Khusus Tunagrahita dengan Metode Storytelling melalui Innovation Pop-Up Book” (Sex Education Learning for Children with Special Needs for Intellectual Disabilities with the Storytelling Method through the Pop-Up Book Innovation), the team led by Rifty Octapiani Fauziah has brought a breakthrough that uses interactive visual media to teach sex education to children at the Depok City SLBN.
Thanks to the Student Creativity Program (PKM) innovation, they have qualified for the 37th National Student Scientific Week (PIMNAS) at Universitas Airlangga, next October. Rifty and her team members—Anisa Isnaini, Naswa Dwidayanti Khairunnisa, Mirlando Geny Saputra, and Prima Amalia Dewi—have been running this education program for three months using the storytelling method and the use of pop-up books.
Rifty explained that the choice of pop-up book media with storytelling was made because visual media is easier for children with intellectual disabilities to understand. “Pop-up books provide an interactive and fun learning experience for children. Visuals and stories help them better grasp the message of sexual education. In addition, simple songs and movements are created to help them remember the material taught more easily,” said Rifty.
This innovation has not only received a positive response from students, but also from educators. Ekawati, S.Pd., Student Affairs Teacher at SLBN Kota Depok, said that the storytelling method used in this program makes it easier for children to understand sexual education material. “Previously, we had difficulty explaining sexual education to them. With this program, we learned that children with intellectual disabilities can learn as long as they are given the right approach,” said Ekawati.
The success of this program is also inseparable from the guidance of Dr. Ns. Dwi Cahya Rahmadiyah from the Faculty of Nursing UI. According to her, the innovation carried out by this team is the first step towards greater change in educational inclusion. “The dedication and innovation carried out by Rifty and his team can pave the way for educational inclusion, especially in something very important but often overlooked, such as sexual education for children with disabilities,” said Dr. Dwi Cahya.
With innovations that focus on interactive and inclusive sex education, this UI student team hopes to make a significant contribution to the education of children with disabilities in Indonesia and compete well in the 2024 PIMNAS event.
