The Community Service Program (KKN-PPM) students from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a counselling session on the importance of early stunting prevention at a community health post (Posyandu) in Pokoh, Wedomartani Village, Ngemplak District, Sleman Regency.
The event drew 80 participants, mothers and toddlers, and was conducted in collaboration with students from the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM) and the Faculty of Psychology. During the session, they also demonstrated healthy complementary feeding (MPASI) preparation and sensory play.
Tria Agustin, a member of the KKN student team, explained that the counselling on balanced nutrition was delivered through an interactive and enjoyable approach.
The mothers received detailed information about the crucial first 1,000 days of life.
As the presenter, she elaborated at length on how important a solid understanding of nutrition is to support optimal child growth and development.
“We also provided healthy nutrients in the form of boiled eggs and corn pudding to the children at Posyandu Pokoh,” she said on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025.
Agustin added that the mothers and children who attended were invited to engage in sensory play, simple yet educational activities using materials such as rice, cotton, and reused cardboard.
These assembly-and-disassembly games are designed to stimulate children’s sensory, motor, cognitive, and social interaction abilities.
“Interestingly, one mother responded positively to this game. According to the mothers, it was educational; for them, this play was much better than children holding smartphones,” she recounted.
According to Agustin, parents are paying close attention to their children’s growth phases.
They periodically conduct growth monitoring, such as measuring weight and height.
“All of this is carried out to detect potential growth and developmental issues early. The UGM team, together with Posyandu cadres in Pokoh, is actively monitoring and providing follow-up education on the importance of regular Posyandu visits,” she explained.
The approach adopted at Posyandu Pokoh serves as an example to other posyandus that children need more real food, not nutrient-poor instant meals.
The combination of counselling, hands-on practice, and a child-friendly approach exemplifies KKN-PPM UGM students’ real action and proves that health education does not have to be boring.
“In fact, by using fun and down-to-earth methods, important messages like stunting prevention can be more easily accepted and implemented by the community,” she concluded.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna