Post Covid-19 pandemic analysis offline classes versus online classes: Conflicts in early childhood education in Indonesia during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Early childhood education in Indonesia is an area that parents are beginning to show interest in for preparing their children to progress to the next stage of education. The learning process involves selfdevelopment, cognitive training, emotional training, psychomotor training, and social interaction training, fostering independence in children during their playtime. Early childhood education differs from other levels as it emphasizes play while still incorporating learning. However, the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2019 has significantly impacted early childhood education, leading to the implementation of online classes. This change has affected not only students, who are in an age group susceptible to the disease, but also young children who may struggle to grasp the meaning of the Covid19 virus, unlike adults. Research objectives: a. To analyze early childhood responses to online learning. b. To investigate the impact of online teaching and learning activities on early childhood education in Indonesia. Utilizing qualitative research methods, this study is described through descriptive analysis based on a literature review and an examination of social phenomena. Children experience psychological shock when transitioning to home-based learning, missing the presence of teachers and friends, resulting in boredom and a lack of motivation to complete assignments. This psychological impact extends to parents, particularly mothers, who now have the responsibility of teaching their children at home, a role previously handled by teachers at school. Online classes are considered the optimal solution to curb the spread of Covid-19 in early childhood environments. The conflict between online and offline classes in the realm of early childhood education forms the basis of this research article.