Implementation of Seven Habits of Great Indonesian Children through Co-Curricular Programs in Fostering Elementary Students’ Religious Character

Abstract

Developing religious character is one of the main goals of elementary education. One strategy adopted by schools is integrating the Seven Habits of Great Indonesian Children into co-curricular activities and daily habituation programs. This study aims to describe the implementation of the Seven Habits of Great Indonesian Children through co-curricular activities, examine the role of these activities in fostering students’ religious character, and identify the supporting factors and challenges encountered at SD Assuniyyah Kencong. This study employed a qualitative case study design. The participants were 445 elementary school students, while the informants were purposively selected, including the principal, the vice principal for curriculum affairs, and Grade I and Grade IV teachers. Data were collected through observations, interviews, and documentation using technique triangulation and were analyzed using the Miles and Huberman interactive model, consisting of data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings revealed that the Seven Habits of Great Indonesian Children were implemented through co-curricular activities and daily habituation practices, such as Dhuha prayer, daily prayers, hadith memorization, Friday charity, and thematic co-curricular activities. These practices contributed in fostering students’ religious character, discipline, and independence. The implementation was supported by teachers’ commitment and exemplary behavior, a supportive school culture, and parental involvement, while the main challenges were related to students’ readiness and maintaining the consistency of habituation practices. This study provides an empirical description of implementing the Seven Habits of Great Indonesian Children through co-curricular activities and may serve as a reference for schools in developing character habituation programs.