From Reading to Understanding: YLAI Ignites the Spirit of Deep Learning
Imagine a child in third grade, but still struggling to read. Every day, he feels behind his peers. What does his future hold? If a student is not skilled in reading by grade three, then his educational journey to the next level will be full of challenges. We have seen how parents struggle to send their children to school, hoping that education is a way out of poverty.
The role of the teacher is key: have we, as educators, done our job to fulfill the great expectations of parents? What about the students, have they worked hard to master the basic skills of reading and writing? And Yayasan Literasi Anak Indonesia (YLAI), to what extent does it play a role in supporting this change?
Reading is not just about recognizing letters and stringing words together. More than that, reading is a gateway for students to understand the world, think critically, and learn for life. Learning to read should be meaningful, fun, and done mindfully. Education that only focuses on memorization is not enough to build a generation that has a strong character, is able to think critically, and act well.
If reading is the gateway to the future, then how to ensure that every child can pass through it well? This is where the concept of Deep Learning (deep learning) becomes relevant. This concept is not just a method, but also the spirit that animates the learning process. A deep understanding of Deep Learning becomes very important. How does Yayasan Literasi Anak Indonesia understand the spirit of Deep Learning and integrate it into its programs?
Deep Learning is an approach that dignifies education, by emphasizing the creation of a learning atmosphere and learning process that is mindful (conscious), meaningful (meaningful), and joyful (fun) (Puskurjar, 2025). So, where is the spirit of Deep Learning positioned in YLAI’s program? The answer: it is in every aspect of the curriculum that is the driving framework of YLAI’s training program.
One of YLAI’s flagship programs is the Balanced Reading Program, a structured reading program that prepares students to become independent readers. Balanced reading consists of four main components: phonics, interactive reading, shared reading, and guided reading. Let’s see how the spirit of Deep Learning Deep Learning is present in every component of balanced reading.
Mindful learning emphasizes openness, character and competency building. In the phonics component, the content is designed based on the needs of students and teachers in the field. In the early grades, students need to have a strong phonemic understanding. Therefore, the content contains not only reading texts, but also sound-based activities, such as blendingIn interactive reading, the teacher creates a dialog space between the text and the students, allowing them to connect the text to their personal experiences. In interactive reading, the teacher creates a space for dialogue between the text and the students, allowing them to connect the reading with personal experiences. Meanwhile, shared reading becomes a modeling and role-sharing activity between teachers and students, while in guided reading, teachers provide flexible guidance according to students’ readiness.
Deep Learning also present in meaningful learning, which is linking new concepts with prior knowledge so that students can understand and apply them in real life. In the phonics component, students not only memorize letter names, but also understand the concept of letter shapes and sounds so that students can read faster. In interactive reading, students are encouraged to analyze the text, draw conclusions, and connect it to the real world. The shared reading process gives students the opportunity to engage in processing texts that are a level more difficult than their readiness. In guided reading, teachers use reflective questions to guide students to practice the skills learned. In addition, assessment in this program is not just numbers, but is done authentically through journals and diagnostic assessments that are used as a reflection of learning growth.
To make learning more enjoyable, the learning experience must be made interactive with the right teaching materials, so that students are motivated to continue learning with enthusiasm. In phonics, learning is made more dynamic with phonics-based games, songs and movement. Interactive reading gives students the opportunity to role-play and develop their imagination. Meanwhile, shared reading uses readings with themes that are relevant and interesting to students. In guided reading, teachers provide positive feedback that encourages students’ intrinsic motivation to keep developing.
As educators, let’s reflect on whether the methods we use really glorify students? Have we created a learning environment that provides space for children to grow according to their nature?
As parents, let’s continue to support our children in their learning journey, ensuring they get a quality and relevant education for their future.
And as a community, Yayasan Literasi Anak Indonesia takes part in building a strong literacy culture, ensuring no child is left behind in their learning journey.