HEALTHY LIVING HABITUATION THROUGH THE MAKANAN BERGIZI GRATIS PROGRAM IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTERS IN ACEH BESAR

Abstract

This study aims to describe the habituation of healthy living through the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) in early childhood education centers in Aceh Besar. The study employed a descriptive qualitative approach conducted at PAUD Al Munawarah, PAUD Nurul Jadid, and PAUD Permata Bangsa. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation. The findings revealed that the MBG program supports healthy living habits among young children through handwashing before meals, consuming nutritious food, bringing drinking water, engaging in physical activities, and maintaining environmental cleanliness. The program also helps children develop healthy eating habits and regular meal schedules. However, the utilization of the MBG program as a contextual learning medium is still not optimal because activities involving healthy food exploration, active communication, and simple reflection remain limited. Several obstacles were identified, including limited health education media, insufficient integration of MBG activities into classroom learning, and limited learning innovation involving children’s active exploration. This study implies the need for stronger contextual learning approaches and greater teacher creativity so that the MBG program can more effectively support healthy living behaviors in early childhood education.

Keywords: healthy living habits, free nutritious meals, early childhood education, young children, contextual learning