Instilling Christian Character in Children with Special Needs at Shining Kids School Kindergarten, Palangka Raya

Abstract

This research is motivated by the importance of instilling Christian character for children with special needs as part of moral, spiritual, and social formation from an early age. This study aims to describe the Christian character values instilled, the process of instilling them, as well as the supporting and inhibiting factors in Shining Kids School Palangka Raya Kindergarten. The research uses a descriptive qualitative approach. Data were obtained through observation, interviews, and documentation with the foundation head, classroom teachers, accompanying teachers, and children with special needs. Data analysis used the Miles and Huberman model, while the validity of the data was tested through triangulation of sources and techniques. The results of the study showed that the character values instilled included generosity, honesty, forgiveness, gratitude, mindfulness, responsibility, order, and obedience. Character cultivation was carried out through habituation, teacher example, devotion activities, learning, individual mentoring, and social interaction. Supporting factors include school commitment, teacher example, cooperation with parents, and teacher readiness. The inhibiting factors include differences in the characteristics of children with special needs, unstable emotional and concentration conditions, limited experts, and the lack of optimal understanding of some parents in supporting the formation of children's character.