COLLABORATION IN PREPARING EARLY CHILDHOOD READINESS TO ENTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THROUGH HABITUATION PROGRAMS

ABSTRACT
Sri Rahayu. Collaboration in Preparing Early Childhood Readiness to Enter Elementary School Through Habituation Programs.Artikel ilmiah.Program Studi Pendidikan Guru PAUD, Universitas Muhammadiyah Ponorogo, Pembimbing 1 Dr. Ardhana Januar Mahardhani, M.KP., Pembimbing 2 Betty Yulia Wulansari, M.Pd.
This study aims to analyze the collaboration between kindergarten, elementary school, and parents in preparing early childhood readiness to enter elementary school through a joint lunchbox habituation program at TKIT Ar Rohmah Magetan.
Using a qualitative method and case study approach, data were collected through direct observation, in-depth interviews with kindergarten and elementary school teachers, open-ended questionnaires completed by 28 parents, and documentation of school activities and communication.
The findings indicate that structured cross-level collaboration can enhance children's independence, social skills, and healthy habits, while also strengthening communication among kindergarten, elementary school, and parents. The forms of collaboration include menu schedule alignment, elementary school teacher visits to the kindergarten, and joint parenting sessions that promote consistency of expectations across institutions.However, the program faces several challenges, such as parents' limited time to prepare meals, children's selective eating behaviors, and the need for communication adjustments by elementary teachers who are newly involved in the program.The novelty of this study lies in the active role of elementary school teachers as transition partners, rather than merely recipients of graduates, leading to a smoother and more contextually relevant transition process. These findings contribute to the development of Islamic education at the elementary level through the implementation of a collaborative habituation model that instills values such as table manners, discipline, gratitude, and compassion from an early age.
Keywords: collaboration; elementary school readiness; habituation; Islamic education; early childhood.