The conception of war and peace in early childhood: a phenomenological analysis of kindergarten children in Banten, Indonesia

Abstract

ABSTRACT In recent decades, numerous studies have been conducted on children’s understanding of peace and war. Geographic, economic, political, cultural, and social differences influence the concepts of war and peace. This study aims at examining this effect. In addition to comparing studies conducted in Western countries, the study aims to examine early childhood students’ understanding of war and peace concepts. The study involved ten early childhood children who were at the kindergarten level with an average age of 5.7 years. The study employed a phenomenological approach. Drawing and semi-structured interviews were utilized for data collection. The study results indicate that children conceptualize war as unhappiness, conflict, and weapons. War concepts are symbolized by sad people, weapons, and fighting characters. In addition, children conceptualize peace as happiness, the beauty of nature, and a place that makes them feel safe, cheerful, free to express themselves, happy, and in which no one is angry. Smiling people, houses, trees, rainbows, and mountains represent peace. Overall, early childhood simultaneously comprehends the concepts of war and peace. This result differs from those of several prior studies.