Bogor (August 12, 2025) — This day was a day full of joy for the young children of community pre-school PAUD Sehat Ceria Bojonggede. From the early morning, they were already excited, carrying their small backpacks filled with sling water bottles, wearing hats, and sitting neatly on the bus. Together with the teachers, they headed to the Indonesian Presidential Museum Balai Kirti in Bogor.
At the museum, the children were welcomed into a whole new environment, so different from their usual classroom. The exhibition halls were filled with statues of Indonesia’s presidents, historical photographs, and artifacts telling the nation’s story.
To make it easier for the children to understand, teachers and museum guides explained the stories of the presidents using simple language, peppered with short stories and light questions to spark curiosity. The children also joined in playful activities such as guessing pictures of presidents, watching mini movie about the museum, and singing national songs together.
Beyond learning history, the children practiced taking care of their own belongings, following instructions, waiting their turn in line, and moving from one room to another in an orderly way. They even learned how to cross the street safely under their teachers’ guidance. Sharing snacks on the bus after the tour became a warm moment of togetherness.
This visit was hoped to inspire joy in exploring new places with friends, encourage them to speak with new people, build independence, and motivate them to follow the spirit and achievements of the nation’s leaders.
The Benefit of School Trip for Young Children
Taking younger children on school trips is more than just visiting new places. It’s about giving them real-world experiences that help them grow in ways the classroom can’t.
A study by Kızıltaş & Sak (2018) found that when field trips are carefully planned and carried out with strong parental involvement, they can significantly enhance the social–emotional skills of preschool children aged 48–66 months and these benefits can last well beyond the trip itself1.
In a single day out, children can build social skills by sharing space and taking turns, practice independence by managing their own belongings, boost confidence by trying unfamiliar activities, and spark curiosity through hands-on exploration. So the trips connect learning to life, turning history, nature, or culture into something they can see, touch, and feel, making growth happen naturally through joyful exploration.
A Memorable Experience
On the way back, the bus was filled with laughter and excited chatter. Azkia, Aisyah, and Zainab, who were sitting together, smiled and said, “We’re happy we went today. We saw statues of the presidents and pictures (paintings) in the museum.” Their simple words were proof that the day’s activities left a sweet and lasting impression.
The field trip to the Kirti Museum was more than just a fun outing—it planted early seeds of leadership, courage, and pride in being Indonesian.
Source:
1Kızıltaş, E., Sak, R. Integrating field-trip activities with other activities in the preschool curriculum: its effects on the preschoolers’ social–emotional skills. ICEP 12, 8 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40723-018-0047-0
Written by: Tutik Inayati
Media and Communication Officer
Foundation for Mother and Child Health Indonesia
