PENTINGNYA PENDIDIKAN KARAKTER SEJAK USIA DINI DALAM MEMBANGUN JATI DIRI PESERTA DIDIK

Abstract

Character building is a cultivation system of values ​​to students that include knowledge, awareness or volition, and actions to implement these values ​​consciously without coercion from others, both against God, ourselves, others, the environment, and society in order to become independent human beings. Character building can be integrated in the learning in each subject. Instructional material relating to norms or values ​​on each subject needs to be developed, explicit, and associated with the context of everyday life. Thus, the character education is not only on the base of cognitive level, but touched on the internalization and practice in the community. Character building as well as other education prepare human to be more mature through real actions in everyday life. Related to character building, Kompas newspaper had published the president's speech at the celebration of National Education Day on character building including; 1), Indonesian people should have moral, have a certain character, and well behaved. 2), Indonesia has to be a nation of intelligent and rational, knowledgeable and has a high reasoning power. 3), Indonesia has to be a nation of innovative and pursue progress and work hard to change things. 4) strengthen the national spirit, and 5), Indonesian people must be a true patriot who loves the nation and homeland.