Pemanfaatan Media Balok Karier dalam Menggali Bakat dan Minat Siswa di Sanggar Bimbingan Permai Penang

Abstract

Introducing talents, interests, and aspirations from an early age helps children recognize their own potential and areas of interest. Guidance and counseling activities for children need to be delivered through engaging, developmentally appropriate methods so children can actively participate. One medium used is the Balok Karier, a game adapted from stacking block games such as Uno Stacko, with each block containing questions on self-recognition, talents, interests, aspirations, motivation, and social support. This activity was carried out through aCommunity Service program at Sanggar Bimbingan Permai Penang, Malaysia, targeting children from Calistung level to seventh grade, using a descriptive qualitative approach through observation and documentation. Children took turns stacking blocks to build a tower; whoever caused the tower to collapse took a block and answered the question in front of their peers. Results showed that the Balok Karier created a more interactive and enjoyable guidance and counseling atmosphere, giving children the chance to express their aspirations, interests, and abilities while building courage and self-confidence in speaking before peers. The Balok Karier thus serves as an effective early exploration medium for helping children recognize their talents and interests, as well as a supporting tool for guidance and counseling activities.