Developing Children's Story-Based Digital Comics (Digibarita) to Increase Early Children's Interest in Reading

Authors

  • Medi Kapriany Purwaningrum Universitas Panca Sakti Bekasi
  • Lilis Suryani Universitas Panca Sakti Bekasi
  • Hamid Patilima Universitas Panca Sakti Bekasi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31000/ceria.v15i1.15028

Keywords:

Development, Digital Comics, Reading Interest, Early Childhood, Literacy

Abstract

Low interest among Indonesian children remains a major concern that affects their literacy development. This study aimed to develop and test DIGIBARITA, a digital comic based on children’s stories, as an innovative medium to foster reading interest in early childhood education. The research used a Research and Development (R&D) design adapted from the ADDIE model, consisting of analysis, design, development, and implementation. The subjects were 30 children aged 4–6 years at TK Islam Najwa, Bekasi, and early childhood teachers as expert validators and evaluators. Data were collected through validation questionnaires, observation sheets, and interviews, then analyzed descriptively using quantitative and qualitative approaches. Results showed that DIGIBARITA was rated “very valid†by the material expert (96.25%), media expert (96.87%), and practitioner (98%). Implementation through individual, small group, and large group trials revealed that children actively participated, enjoyed the reading activities, and showed increased interest in retelling stories. Teacher responses placed the media in the “very good†category with a score of 98.5%, confirming its practicality. In conclusion, DIGIBARITA is feasible, practical, and effective in enhancing early reading interest and may serve as an alternative literacy medium in early childhood education.

References

Agustin, M., Rahman, T., & Amalia, S. (2020). Building children’s interest in reading through comics in early childhood education. Golden Age: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 4(2), 23–34. https://doi.org/10.14421/jga.2020.42-03

Astawan, I. G., & Bayu, G. W. (2025). Development of Experimental Digital Comics to Stimulate Kindergarteners’ Science Process Skills. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA. https://jppipa.unram.ac.id/index.php/jppipa/article/view/11696

Duncan, G. J., Dowsett, C. J., Claessens, A., Magnuson, K., Huston, A. C., Klebanov, P., Pagani, L. S., Feinstein, L., Engel, M., Brooks-Gunn, J., Sexton, H., Duckworth, K., & Japel, C. (2007). School Readiness and Later Achievement. Developmental Psychology, 43(6), 1428–1446. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.43.6.1428

Guthrie, J. T., & Wigfield, A. (2000). Engagement and motivation in reading. Guilford Press.

Hanifah, I., & Kurniati, A. (2024). The use of digital comics to cultivate disaster preparedness awareness in early childhood. Jurnal Obsesi: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 8(2), 765–774. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v8i2.4556

Hardianti, I., Nafiqoh, H., & Lestari, R. H. (2025). Buku cerita digital interaktif sebagai media pembelajaran dalam meningkatkan literasi baca-tulis anak usia dini. Ceria: Jurnal Program Studi Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 14(1), 55–63. https://journal.ikipsiliwangi.ac.id/index.php/ceria/article/view/26471

Lusiana, L. (2021). The effectiveness of e-comics to increase early childhood literacy motivation. Early Childhood Education Journal, 19(3), 112–120. https://doi.org/10.31004/ecej.v19i3.1221

Maharani, S., Wulandari, T., & Saputra, R. (2022). Canva-based digital comics as innovative learning media for early childhood. International Journal of Early Childhood Education, 10(1), 45–54. https://doi.org/10.31004/ijece.v10i1.2875

Maranatha, J. R., & Briliany, N. (2023). Enhancing fine motor skills in early childhood through fun cooking activities: A quasi-experimental study in Purwakarta, Indonesia. … Age: Jurnal Ilmiah Tumbuh …. https://ejournal.uin-suka.ac.id/tarbiyah/goldenage/article/view/7573

Mufadilah, S., Anggraini, H., & ... (2025). Project-Based Learning to Improve Problem Solving Skills in Early Childhood. … RISET PENDIDIKAN DAN …. https://transpublika.co.id/ojs/index.php/JRPP/article/view/980

Ngulwiyah, I., & Hasanah, R. (2024). Penerapan Budaya Literasi Sebagai Upaya Memotivasi Belajar Membaca pada Anak Usia Dini. Ceria: Jurnal Program Studi Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 13(3). https://jurnal.umt.ac.id/index.php/ceria/article/view/13005

PRASETYO, A. B., KURNIANTI, E. M., & ... (2024). Analisis Penggunaan Media Flashcard Terhadap Kemampuan Membaca Permulaan Siswa Kelas Rendah. … : Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan …. https://www.jurnalp4i.com/index.php/paedagogy/article/view/2914

Setiawati, E., Yusdiana, Y., Rachmi, T., Dewi, N. F. K., & Yuningsih, Y. (2024). Analisis efektivitas media gambar pada kemampuan membaca permulaan siswa SD Negeri Sukajaya 1. Ceria: Jurnal Program Studi Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 13(2), 87–95. https://jurnal.umt.ac.id/index.php/ceria/article/view/3272

Suryani, L., Elida, H. S., Setiowati, I., Harlina, S. H., Apriani, D., Yeny, Supriatin, T., Yuliani, Y., Asti, D., Maryani, E., Tazkiah, N., Anita, H., Sepriani, R., Rohimah, S., Rahayu, A., Batubara, N. F., Widia, A. D., Suhartinah, Mulyawati, S., … Novita. (2023). Media Pembelajaran Digital Untuk Anak Usia Dini. Deepublish Digital.

Suryani, N. (2007). Media pembelajaran inovatif. Pustaka Insan Madani.

Teale, W. H., & Sulzby, E. (1986). Emergent literacy: Writing and reading. Ablex Publishing.

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Harvard University Press.

Downloads

Published

2026-01-30