The Role of Parents in Engaging Early Childhood to Implement 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)

Abstract

One of the environmental impacts due to population growth and diversity of activities is the increasing problem of waste. The form of participation expected from the community is a willingness to sort and reduce the waste that will be transported considering the impact of waste is not only damaging aesthetics, but also affects health and causes disasters. One of the things that can be done at home is to apply the 3R concept (Reuse, Reduce and Recycle) and teach it to children to get used to it from an early age. Besides being able to protect the environment, 3R habituation can foster children's naturalist intelligence. This research was conducted to analyse the role of parents in engaging early childhood to implement the 3R and to review its relationship with naturalistic intelligence in early childhood. This study uses a qualitative approach with a case study design. Data collection was carried out using observation sheets and in-depth interviews. The findings of this study are, first, parents' education and background play a major role in implementing 3R at home. Second, the 3R application has a very close relationship with the naturalist intelligence of children, because the application of 3R at home by involving children makes children love the environment and be responsible for nature. Third, parents involve children in implementing the 3R through habituation and giving direct examples in daily life. Fourth, the child gave a positive response with 3R. Fifth, the implementation of 3R is still difficult to implement in Indonesia because of infrastructure limitations and a lack of understanding of the 3R concept in society.