Abstract
Early childhood is a critical period for developing foundational literacy skills and establishing children’s awareness of cultural heritage. The introduction of Javanese script at the early childhood level remains challenging because its distinctive visual forms and unfamiliar symbols can be difficult for young children to recognize through conventional learning activities. This study aimed to develop an interactive Javanese Script Puzzle as a play-based learning resource to foster early literacy and cultural identity among young children. The study employed a research and development approach adapted from the Borg and Gall development model. The development procedures included preliminary research, product planning, initial product development, expert validation, product revision, preliminary field testing, and final product refinement. The puzzle was designed according to the developmental characteristics of young children by incorporating visual recognition, matching, sequencing, and hands-on play activities involving Javanese script characters. Expert validation and field testing were conducted to examine the feasibility, practicality, and potential educational value of the developed product. The development process resulted in an interactive puzzle that integrates early literacy learning with Javanese cultural content in an engaging and developmentally appropriate format. The product provides children with opportunities to recognize and differentiate Javanese script characters while interacting directly with culturally relevant learning materials. These findings indicate that play-based integration of local cultural heritage can provide an alternative approach to introducing Javanese script in early childhood education. The developed puzzle has the potential to support culturally responsive early literacy practices and contribute to the preservation of local cultural knowledge through meaningful learning experiences in early childhood settings.