A Student Creativity Program in Community Service (PKM-PM) team from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) held a Connecting with Others activity as part of the I’M STRONG program at the Mardiko Waste Processing Center in Bantul. Using a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) approach, the program was designed to foster empathy, improve social skills, and strengthen children’s ability to build healthy relationships with the people and environment around them.
The PKM-PM UNY team was led by Taqiya Ahsanu Wibowo from the Elementary School Teacher Education Program (PGSD), with members Pinka Windu Ardiningrum from PGSD, Almas Jannati Wibowo from Nonformal Education (PNF), Muhammad Alvin Sa’idul Anwary from Psychology, and Almaas Mufiidah from PGSD, under the supervision of Dr. Haryani, S.Pd., M.Pd.
The activity was carried out interactively through five main sessions: Look & See, You & Me, Voice Up, Team Up, and Let’s Talk. In each session, children were encouraged to share experiences, understand others’ perspectives, express their feelings positively, work together in groups, and learn to resolve conflicts through assertive communication. This approach provided space for participants not only to understand their own emotions, but also to respect the feelings of others in everyday life.
Head of the PKM-PM UNY team, Taqiya Ahsanu Wibowo, said strengthening children’s social and emotional abilities from an early age is an important foundation for helping them face various life challenges. “Through the Connecting with Others activity, we want to help children develop empathy, communication skills, and the ability to work together. We hope they will grow into caring, resilient individuals who are able to build positive social relationships within their families, schools, and communities,” she said.
In addition to presenting practical material, the entire program was supported by each team member according to their respective roles, ranging from facilitating educational games to documentation and publication. The collaboration helped create an active, enjoyable, and meaningful learning process for all participants.
Through the I’M STRONG program, the PKM-PM UNY team hopes children can improve their social awareness and relationship skills as a foundation for building empathetic character, cooperation, and strong resilience in facing future challenges.
The program also supports the implementation of UNY Berdampak and contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-Being through the strengthening of children’s mental and social health, SDG 4 on Quality Education through social-emotional learning, and SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals through collaboration between higher education institutions and communities in creating inclusive and sustainable learning environments.
