MEDITATION 4: DEVELOPMENT OF A CURRICULUM TO ENHANCE DEVELOPMENT AND PREVENT CHILDREN FROM USING SMARTPHONES AS A NANNY IN THE TAK OK SUBDISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION'S CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER, BAN TAK DISTRICT, TAK PROVINCE

Abstract

This research aims to 1) study the Bhavana 4 model and its impact on physical, emotional-mental, social, and intellectual learning development; 2) develop learning activities for early childhood development centers; and 3) promote the strengthening of the “Bovorn” (Home, Temple, School) network in preventing children from using smartphones as nannies. This is a mixed-method research study, comprising quantitative research. The research employed questionnaires administered to a population of 100 individuals and qualitative research through in-depth interviews with 10 key informants. Data was analyzed using percentages, means (), standard deviations (S.D.), and content analysis

The research findings revealed

1. Overall, opinions regarding curriculum development were at a high level. The aspects with the highest means in each area were: development of play equipment and skill-enhancing devices (= 4.45), educational games to stimulate analytical thinking (= 4.30), and children's curiosity and willingness to ask questions ( = 4.21), respectively.
2. Regarding the Fourfold Meditation model and learning, the Fourfold Meditation (body, morality, mind, wisdom) directly aligned with early childhood development. Body meditation helps develop motor skills and health; morality meditation fosters discipline and social interaction; mind meditation enhances concentration and emotional control; and wisdom meditation promotes analytical thinking and problem-solving, serving as an important safeguard to reduce reliance on smartphone screens.
3. Regarding learning activities... The Early Childhood Development Center has integrated the 2017 Early Childhood Education Curriculum with Executive Function (EF) skills through six core activities, emphasizing the creation of "play spaces" instead of "screens," focusing on enabling children to be self-reliant and interact with their real environment.

4. Regarding the "Bovorn" network, the most effective prevention of smartphone addiction in children stems from the collaborative efforts of the home (parents as role models in reducing media use), the temple (a center for volunteer activities and meditation), and the school/early childhood development center (a source for disseminating media literacy skills). The temple serves as a central hub for providing alternative activities that draw children away from the virtual world into the real world.