Stimulasi Kreativitas dan Sportivitas Anak melalui Lomba Modern dance sebagai Wadah Pengembangan Potensi Diri

Abstract

Arts education for children plays a vital role in fostering creativity, social skills, and character development through active and expressive learning experiences. However, children's arts activities are often viewed merely as performance events; their potential as a medium for developing creativity and sportsmanship, particularly within the context of modern dance competitions, has not been extensively explored. This study aims to analyze the role of modern dance competitions in stimulating creativity and fostering sportsmanship as part of children's personal development. A qualitative descriptive approach was employed, focusing on a modern dance team comprising 12 children participating in the Hakka Youth Lombok event. Data were gathered through observations during preparation, rehearsal, and the competition itself, as well as through semi-structured interviews with participants' parents and activity documentation. The findings indicate that modern dance competitions stimulate children's creativity through movement exploration, the development of expressive skills, adaptability, and teamwork. Furthermore, the competitive experience fosters sportsmanship by instilling discipline, responsibility, and an appreciation for the process, alongside the ability to view the competition experience positively. This study demonstrates that modern dance competitions serve not only as performing arts activities but also as an educational approach that holistically supports the development of children's creativity, character, and personal potential. The results underscore the importance of utilizing competition-based arts activities as meaningful learning experiences for child development.