Developing Inquiry-Based Wordwall Interactive Games to Enhance Early Childhood Mathematical Skills

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Padang– Inquiry-Based Wordwall Game Boosts Kindergarten Math Skills to 97%. The latest research by Mellie Guspita Yanty, Rakimahwati, Farida Mayar, and Yaswinda from Universitas Negeri Padang was published in the International Journal of Education and Life Sciences (IJELS) Vol. 4 No. 2 (February 2026).

A new study by Mellie Guspita Yanty, Rakimahwati, Farida Mayar, and Yaswinda from Universitas Negeri Padang introduces an inquiry-based Wordwall interactive game that significantly improves mathematical skills among kindergarten students.

The Challenge: Low Early Math Skills

Initial observations at TK Nurul Ilmi revealed that children’s mathematical abilities were below expected developmental benchmarks. Teaching methods relied heavily on static worksheets and teacher-centered instruction, offering limited opportunities for exploration.

Under Indonesia’s Kurikulum Merdeka, educators are encouraged to foster literacy and numeracy through child-centered and exploratory learning. However, many classrooms still struggle to translate these principles into practice.

Researchers identified a critical need for interactive media capable of stimulating curiosity and transforming abstract mathematical concepts into concrete learning experiences.

Developing a Digital Learning Tool

The study employed a Research and Development (R&D) method using the ADDIE model:

Analysis – Identifying gaps in early numeracy and classroom limitations.
Design – Creating inquiry-based learning pathways within Wordwall templates.
Development – Constructing and validating the digital game with experts.
Implementation – Testing the media with students.
Evaluation – Measuring learning outcomes through pre-test and post-test analysis.

Fifteen children from Class B1 participated in the field trial.

The interactive game incorporated four inquiry stages:

Observing
Questioning
Experimenting
Concluding

These stages were embedded into Wordwall formats such as quizzes, matching games, and group sorting activities.

Media Validity and Practicality Rated Above 94%

Expert validation results showed:

Validity score: 94% (Very Valid)
Practicality score: 94.6% (Very Practical)

Teachers reported that the platform was easy to use and aligned well with early childhood pedagogical principles. Observations indicated high levels of student engagement during gameplay.

The digital design allowed children to receive immediate feedback, helping them correct mistakes and build confidence in solving numeracy tasks.

Math Scores Jump from 61% to 97%

The most striking result emerged during effectiveness testing.

Pre-test average score: 61.1%
Post-test average score: 97%
N-Gain score: 0.91 (High Category)

An N-Gain value of 0.91 indicates a very strong improvement in learning outcomes. The data suggest that the inquiry-based Wordwall game significantly accelerates early mathematical development.

Why the Game Works

The success of the media lies in combining two critical elements:

1. Inquiry-Based Learning

Children actively explore problems rather than passively receiving answers. This aligns with constructivist learning theory, where knowledge is built through interaction and discovery.

2. Gamification and Digital Engagement

Interactive visuals, sound effects, time challenges, and scoring systems transform mathematics from an intimidating subject into an enjoyable experience.

Children become “little investigators,” experimenting with classification, patterns, and numbers in a safe digital environment.

Implications for Early Childhood Education

The findings highlight several important implications:

Digital platforms can serve as cognitive bridges for abstract concepts.
Inquiry strategies enhance deeper understanding of numeracy.
Technology, when paired with structured pedagogy, outperforms traditional worksheets.
Early integration of digital literacy and numeracy supports long-term STEM readiness.

The Wordwall platform’s accessibility across devices also allows flexible classroom and home-based learning, supporting broader educational transformation under Kurikulum Merdeka.

Conclusion

The inquiry-based Wordwall interactive game meets high standards of validity, practicality, and effectiveness. With a 0.91 N-Gain score and a post-test average reaching 97 percent, the digital intervention demonstrates strong potential for improving early childhood mathematical skills.

The study recommends wider adoption of interactive educational technology in kindergarten settings to support the development of numerically literate and critically thinking learners.

Author Profiles

Mellie Guspita Yanty- Universitas Negeri Padang
Rakimahwati, Farida Mayar, Yaswinda- Universitas Negeri Padang

Research Source

Yanty, M. G., Rakimahwati, Mayar, F., & Yaswinda. (2026). Developing Inquiry-Based Wordwall Interactive Games to Enhance Early Childhood Mathematical Skills.

International Journal of Education and Life Sciences (IJELS), Vol. 4 No. 2, 151–158.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59890/ijels.v4i2.269

URL: https://ntlmultitechpublisher.my.id/index.php/ijels