Advancing 21st-Century Skills in Early Childhood Through the Project-Based Learning Model: Evidence from Children Aged 5–6 Years

Abstract

The paradigm shift in 21st-century education emphasizes equipping children not only with knowledge but also with essential skills. These skills include communication, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, commonly referred to as the 4Cs. In early childhood education, it is crucial for teachers to implement learning models that stimulate 21st-century skills, one of which is the project-based learning model. This study aims to analyze the effect of the project-based learning model on the 21st-century skills of children aged 5–6 years. The study subjects were group B children from schools that had begun implementing the project-based learning model. The research design used was a Nonequivalent Control Group Design. Data were collected through participatory observation using observation sheets that had been tested for reliability and construct validity. In the experimental class, the average pretest score was 41.813, and the average posttest score was 80.938, indicating an improvement in 21st-century skills after the implementation of the project-based learning model. Hypothesis testing using the Mann-Whitney U Test yielded a significance value of < 0.001 (< 0.05). Thus, it can be concluded that the project-based learning model has a significant effect on the 21st-century skills of children aged 5–6 years.