Teachers’ Strategies In Forming Discipline Characters Through Routine Activities To Stimulate Children’s Clean and Healthy Living Behaviors Early

Abstract

This study aims to describe teachers’ strategies in fostering discipline character among early childhood through routine activities and the simulation of Clean and Healthy Living Behaviour (PHBS) at RA Wasifah Medan Polonia. The background of the research stems from the challenge that young children possess a high level of curiosity but have not yet developed consistent self-regulation. This qualitative descriptive study collected primary data through observation and documentation of children’s activities, while secondary data were obtained from relevant literature. Data analysis followed the Miles, Huberman, and Saldana model, with data validity ensured through triangulation. The findings reveal that teachers’ strategies are grounded in Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, with modelling or teacher exemplification as the central element. Routine activities such as lining up, handwashing, and tidying up toys, along with PHBS simulations through roles such as “little doctors†and “cleanliness officers,†successfully foster positive habits. Positive reinforcement, including praise, motivated children to maintain disciplined behaviour. The study recommends collaboration between teachers and parents to ensure that disciplinary practices at school are reinforced and internalised at home.