Pengaruh Permainan “Matching Cards” Terhadap Kemampuan Mengenal Konsep Bilangan 1-10 Pada Anak Usia 4-5 Tahun

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of the matching cards game on the ability of children aged 4–5 years to recognize number concepts 1–10, including number sequences, number symbols, number ordering, and matching symbols with quantities. Method: This quantitative study used a quasi-experimental method with a nonequivalent control group design. The participants were 25 Group A children at TK Labschool Unesa 1 Surabaya, consisting of 10 children in the experimental group and 15 in the control group. Data were collected through performance tests and observations and analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test. Results: The experimental group’s mean score increased from 7.30 to 13.70, while the control group’s mean score increased from 7.00 to 8.87. The Mann–Whitney U test on gain scores showed a significance value of <0.001, indicating a significant difference in improvement between the two groups. Novelty: The matching cards game integrates recognizing number symbols, counting objects, and matching symbols with quantities in one learning activity. It can therefore serve as a concrete and engaging alternative for supporting number concept recognition in children aged 4–5 years.