Using Social Media Whatsapp Group in Parental Involvement to Improve Child's Independence at Kindergarten

Social media in Indonesia is currently growing rapidly. Almost all adults have mobile phones equipped with social media applications, especially in urban areas. Including the mothers, on average also has a mobile phone equipped with social media applications, such as whatsapp applications. Social media such as whatsapp can be designed to be improving early child hood education. This research aims at describing the use social media of whatsapp group in parental involvement to improve child's independence at kindergarten. The method used in this research was quasi-experimental. Research subject was 20 mothers of children with 5-6 years old at Group B Kindergarten in South Tangerang, Indonesia. The research conducted from March-April 2017. The research finding revealed that whatsapp group can improve parental involvement in carrying out child care at home, because with whatsapp group parents can consult directly with teachers or share experiences with other parents who have similar problems. Whatsapp group also help the parents to know about strengthness and weakness from her nurturing at home. Research recommendation is proposed to kindergarten teachers who should provide whatsapp or other social media group as one of ways to communicate with parents and improving parental improvement program.