Enhancing early childhood science literacy through deep learning–based instruction using simple coding games
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59672/ijed.v7i1.5924Keywords:
Coding games, Deep learning, Early childhood education, Science literacyAbstract
This study addresses the need to strengthen science literacy in early childhood education in response to rapid technological and scientific development in the digital era. Science literacy in early years is essential for developing children's ability to think critically, solve problems, and understand basic scientific concepts through meaningful learning experiences. This study examined the effect of deep learning–based instruction using simple coding games on science literacy. Using a quantitative quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group design, 63 children aged 5–6 years from TK Dewi Kunti I and II were selected via cluster random sampling, with intact classes assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group received coding-based deep-learning instruction, while the control group received conventional instruction. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicate that children who participated in deep-learning–based coding activities demonstrated better development of science literacy than those in conventional learning settings. The findings suggest that integrating simple coding games into a deep learning framework can be an effective and engaging strategy to support science literacy in early childhood education. This study recommends further research with broader samples and longer intervention periods to strengthen implementation in diverse educational contexts.
Downloads
References
Alonso-garcía, S., Fuentes, A. R., & Ramos, M. (2024). Heliyon enhancing computational thinking in early childhood education with educational robotics : A meta-analysis. 10(June). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33249
Alotaibi, M. S. (2023). Factors influencing early childhood educators' use of digital educational aids : A sequential explanatory study. December, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231217727
Andari, K. D. W., Kartini, K., Agustina, D. A., & Febriani, N. (2020). The effect of scientific learning on the science literacy skills of elementary school students. Borneo Journal of Biology Education (BJBE), 2(2). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.35334/bjbe.v2i2.1752
Arifin, I., Zurweni, Z., & Habibi, A. (2024). A development of interactive e-modules for high school physics learning based on problem-based learning (PBL). Indonesian Journal of Educational Development (IJED), 5(1), 51-67. https://doi.org/10.59672/ijed.v5i1.3698
Astini, B. N., Gunawan, G., & Sriwarthini, N. L. P. N. S. (2023). Analysis of scientific educational game tools implementation for early childhood students in West Nusa Tenggara. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(1), 427–432. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i1.2942
Azizah, M., Zahra, F., Muzfrah, S., & Mubarok, F. (2025). Learning model: Concepts, paradigms, and implementation. PT. Adab Indonesia.
Bautista, G. F., Ghesquière, P., & Torbeyns, J. (2024). Stimulating preschoolers’ early literacy development using educational technology: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, 39. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcci.2023.100620
Bers, M. U., Gonz, C., Torres, A., Study, C., Development, H., Engineering, C., & Laguna, L. (2019). Title: Coding as playground: promoting positive learning experiences in childhood classrooms.
Bonita, E., Suryana, E., Hamdani, M. I., & Harto, K. (2022). The golden age: Early childhood development and its implications for islamic education. Tarbawiyah : Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan, 6(2), 218–228. https://doi.org/10.32332/tarbawiyah.v6i2.5537
Campbell, S. (2018). Teaching phonics without teaching phonics: Early childhood teachers’ reported beliefs and practices. Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 20(4). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/146879841879100
Cansız, N., & Cansız, M. (2019). Evaluating turkish science curriculum with PISA scientific literacy framework. Turkish Journal of Education, 8(3), 217–236. https://doi.org/10.19128/turje.545798
Chu, C., Paatsch, L., Kervin, L., & Edwards, S. (2024). International journal of child-computer interaction digital play in the early years : A systematic review. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, 40(March), 100652. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcci.2024.100652
Fahmi, A. I., Yusuf, R. N., Kania, G., Musyaddat, A., & Ernawati. (2024). The concept of play in early childhood education according to imam ghazali’s thought: Implications for character and spiritual development. Journal on Education, 7(1), 7717–7727. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31004/joe.v7i1.7536
Fenty, N. S., Nouraei, L., & Vanessa, Y. (2025). Sequencing nursery rhymes through early coding in preschool settings. The Reading Teacher, 79, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.70026
Gerde, H., Schachter, R., & Wasik, B. (2013). Using the scientific method to guide learning: An integrated approach to early childhood curriculum. Early Childhood Education Journal, 41(5). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-013-0579-4
Giannakoulas, A., & Xinogalos, S. (2024). A critical review of primary school students’ difficulties in learning programming through educational games. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 63(3). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/07356331241309074
Khoo, E., Mclaughlin, T., & Rowe, S. (2025). Digital play in the early years : Exploring research trends through a rapid review of the literature. 0(0), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1177/18369391251351653
Kociubuk, J., & Campana, K. (2024). Coding for play: Identifying and categorizing educator-designed group playful learning experiences in libraries and other informal learning environments. Library & Information Science Research, 46(1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2024.101280
Kutluca, A. Y., & Mercan, N. (2022). Exploring the effects of preschool teachers ’ epistemological beliefs on content-based pedagogical conceptualizations and PCK integrations towards science teaching. European Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 10(2), 170–192. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.30935/scimath/11661
Lee, J. (2019). Coding in early childhood. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 21(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/1463949119846541
Louka, K., & Papadakis, S. (2024). Heliyon enhancing computational thinking in early childhood education through scratchjr integration. Heliyon, 10(10), e30482. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30482
Mills, K. A. (2025). Coding and computational thinking across the curriculum : A review of educational outcomes. 95(3), 581–618. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543241241327
Munawar, M., Suciati, S., Saputro, B. A., & Luthfy, P. A. (2023). Evaluation of a digital literacy program in early childhood education through the robokids STEAM coding game. Jurnal Obsesi : Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 7(2). https://doi.org/DOI: https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v7i2.4151
Mustika, N., & Suyadi, S. (2021). The effect of educational picture card games on the moral and religious development of early childhood. Jurnal Obsesi : Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 6(3), 2052–2060. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v6i3.1889
Purnadewi, G. A. A., & Widana, I. W. (2023). Improving students’ science numeration capability through the implementation of the PBL model based on local wisdom. Indonesian Journal of Educational Development (IJED), 4(3), 307-317. https://doi.org/10.59672/ijed.v4i3.3252
Sanjiartha, I. G. D., Suwindia, I. G., & Winangun, I. M. A. (2024). The role of science literacy in shaping a critically and innovatively thinking generation: A literature review. Education and Social Sciences Review, 5(2), 120. https://doi.org/10.29210/07essr499900
Sugiyono. (2022). Educational Research Methods: Quantitative, Qualitative, and R&D Approaches. Alfabeta.
Thompson, H. R., Quinn, M. F., Caudle, L. A., & Harper, F. K. (2025). Stories and sequences: supporting computational thinking through literacy in early childhood. The Reading Teacher, 79(4). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.70028
Usmadi, U. (2020). Testing the assumptions of analysis (Homogeneity test and normality test). Inovasi Pendidikan, 7(1), 50–62. https://doi.org/10.31869/ip.v7i1.2281
Wardhani, Y. S., Wahyuni, S., & Rasyad, A. (2020). Analysis of the impact of science problem-based games on the science process skills of children aged 5–6 years. Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, Dan Pengembangan, 5(7), 953. https://doi.org/10.17977/jptpp.v5i7.13756
Widana, I. W. & Ratnaya, I. G. (2021). Relationship between divergent thinking and digital literacy on teacher ability to develop HOTS assessment. Journal of Educational Research and Evaluation, 5(4), 516-524. https://doi.org/10.23887/jere.v5i4.35128
Widana, I. W., Sopandi, A. T., Suwardika, I. G. (2021). Development of an authentic assessment model in mathematics learning: A science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) approach. Indonesian Research Journal in Education, 5(1), 192-209. https://doi.org/10.22437/irje.v5i1.12992
Widayati, J. R., Safrina, R., & Supriyati, Y. (2020). Analysis of the development of early childhood science literacy through educational play tools. Jurnal Obsesi : Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 5(1), 654. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v5i1.692
Yang, W., Lin, C., Wang, X. C., Bautista, A., Li, H., Datu, J. A. D., & Hu, B. Y. (2025). Beyond coding: Effects of a computing curriculum on preschoolers’ computational thinking, math, language, and social-emotional skills. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 64(1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/07356331251384546
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Ni Made Ayu Suryaningsih, I Made Elia Cahaya

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material.








