Analysis of Early Childhood Sensorimotor Stimulation through Local Wisdom-Based Obstacle Course Activities: A Descriptive Qualitative Study

Abstract

Sensorimotor stimulation is a fundamental aspect of early childhood development that supports children’s ability to process sensory input and produce coordinated motor responses. However, learning activities in early childhood settings are often limited to simple gross motor exercises and rarely integrate culturally relevant and sensory-rich materials. This study aims to describe early childhood sensorimotor stimulation through local wisdom-based obstacle course activities. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed involving 12 children aged 4–6 years in Harapan Bangsa Kindergarten. Data were collected through structured observation, video documentation, and field notes, and analyzed using descriptive thematic analysis. The obstacle course consisted of walking on coconut shells, crawling through cardboard tunnels, zigzag walking among plastic bottles, and color sorting activities. The findings indicate that the activities stimulated dynamic balance, bilateral coordination, postural control, visual tracking, spatial orientation, and proprioceptive responses. Walking on coconut shells provided strong tactile and proprioceptive input that enhanced body awareness and balance control. Crawling and zigzag activities supported bilateral coordination and movement regulation, while color sorting strengthened visual-motor coordination. The study concludes that obstacle course activities based on local materials provide meaningful, contextual, and effective sensorimotor stimulation for early childhood development.