MAKASSAR – Efforts to increase parents’ capacity to support child growth and development were carried out through a community service activity titled “Increasing Parents’ Capacity to Optimize Child Growth and Development through Education on Stimulation, Parenting Patterns, Anticipatory Guidance, and Making Simple Educational Play Tools.”
The activity, held on Saturday, 19 September 2026, took place in the working area of the Antang Perumnas Community Health Center (Puskesmas), Makassar. It was attended by 50 mothers of toddlers.
The event featured several speakers from the fields of nursing and psychology. Nur Fadilah, S.Kep., Ns., MN, as Head of the Community Service Team, presented material on anticipatory guidance. Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Kadek Ayu Erika, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kes., gave education on stimulating child growth and development, and Athina Saraya, S.Psi., M.Psi., delivered material on child parenting patterns.
In addition to the presentations, participants took part in a hands-on play simulation using simple tools, guided by Nurlaela Fitriani, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep., Sp.Kep.Jiwa. Participants were introduced to ways of using simple materials as educational play tools that can be used to stimulate children according to their developmental stage.
Head of the Community Service Team, Nur Fadhilah, explained that in the simulation, participants gained knowledge and also practiced using play as a medium of stimulation. The activity showed that stimulation of growth and development can be done through play activities that are simple, creative, and easy to apply at home.
“This community service activity is expected to increase parents’ knowledge and skills in providing stimulation, applying appropriate parenting patterns, and accompanying children through play activities that support their growth and development,” said Nur Fadhilah.
Also present were the persons in charge of the Child, Non-Communicable Disease (PTM), and Community Health Efforts (UKM) programs at the Antang Perumnas Puskesmas. The Puskesmas expressed appreciation for the activity, which it considered beneficial for parents, particularly in improving knowledge and skills to support child growth and development.
This collaboration between an educational institution and a health service facility is expected to continue to be developed in efforts to improve the health and well-being of children and families in the working area of the Antang Perumnas Puskesmas.
The activity, supported by funding from the Unhas Faculty of Nursing Internal Grant Scheme, also supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by increasing parents’ capacity to support children’s health and development, and SDG 4 (Quality Education) through education and practice of stimulation using simple educational play tools.
Editor: Ishaq Rahman
This article is an English translation of the original Indonesian report.