Big Book As A Transformative Media In Instilling Environmental Care Character Values In Early Childhood In The Alpha Generation Era

Abstract

The Alpha Generation grows up in a highly digital environment that may limit direct interaction with nature. This condition can affect the development of environmental care character, which should be cultivated from an early age. This community service program aimed to optimize the use of Big Book media as a learning tool for instilling environmental care values among early childhood learners at PAUD Kamila Bogor while strengthening teachers’ capacity to develop literacy- and environment-based learning activities. The program employed a participatory approach consisting of needs assessment, teacher training, interactive learning sessions using Big Books entitled “Love Plants” and “Love Water,” reflection activities, and practical environmental care actions. The findings revealed that Big Book media effectively improved children’s knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to environmental awareness. The children were able to explain the importance of caring for plants and conserving water using simple language and demonstrated positive behaviors such as watering plants, disposing of waste properly, and maintaining classroom cleanliness. Big Book proved to be an effective learning medium because it provides concrete, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences that align with the characteristics of the Alpha Generation. The success of this program indicates that the integration of visual literacy and environmental education can serve as a transformative strategy for internalizing environmental care character values in early childhood education.