The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 unleashed unprecedented global challenges, impacting numerous facets of human life, including the education sector (Dorn et al., 2021)(Psacharopoulos et al., 2020)(Rasmitadila et al., 2020). Beyond educational disruptions, its ramifications extended to societal, economic, and health domains, with approximately one-third of the global population experiencing quarantine by March 2020 (Kaplan et al., 2020). The crisis illuminated the interconnectivity of international societies and the fragility of existing systems in the face of pandemics. The imperative to address these multifaceted challenges, particularly in the realm of child mental health, has become a pressing concern for the world, the academic discipline of psychology, and a problem necessitating urgent and practical solutions.

Prior research has underscored the significant impact of prolonged school closures on children's development, encompassing physical, psychosocial, cognitive, and mental health aspects (Tso et al., 2020). The rise in domestic violence and child abuse further exacerbated these issues (Cluver et al., 2020), particularly for children in economically disadvantaged households (Holmes, 2020). Substantial evidence indicates that 28% of children worldwide experienced detrimental changes in mental health due to the pandemic (U.N.I.C.E.F., 2020), with isolation and prolonged home confinement adversely affecting their social development and mental wellbeing (Agusriani & Fauziddin, 2021)(Baggerly et al., 2022)(Hu et al., 2021).

The psychological ramifications of the pandemic on children have been profound and multifaceted. Incidences of anxiety, depression, and stress were notably prevalent among children during this period (Figueiredo et al., 2021). These mental health challenges were compounded by disrupted sleep patterns, with a notable increase in sleep disturbances and difficulties(McElvaney et al., 2020) (Singh et al., 2020). The shift to online learning environments further contributed to an uptick in gadget addiction among children, limiting their engagement in diverse activities and increasing screen time (Suhandi & Pamela, 2020). The psychological stressors were not limited to academic pressures but extended to the social isolation imposed by the pandemic, which significantly impacted children's social skills and emotional well-being. The reporting of depression-related incidents among children by the Child Protection Commission (KPAI) underscores the urgency of addressing these mental health concerns (Wijaya, 2021).

In addressing these emergent mental health challenges, mindfulnessbased interventions have gained prominence for their effectiveness in educational and therapeutic settings. Research has demonstrated that mindfulness practices significantly enhance emotional regulation, focus, and resilience in children and adolescents (Grossman et al., 2004)(Perry-Parrish et al., 2016)(Zenner et al., 2014). These interventions have shown promise in alleviating symptoms of trauma, depression, psychological distress, and somatic complaints (Goemans et al., 2020)(Li et al., 2023)(Stein & Russell, 2021). Additionally, improvements in emotional skills, cognitive focus, and overall psychosocial health outcomes have been observed, highlighting the comprehensive benefits of integrating mindfulness into child and adolescent education (Kallapiran et al., 2015)(Keshavarzi et al., 2020)(Ruiz‐Fernández et al., 2020). The adaptability of these interventions, initially developed for adults, has been successfully demonstrated in school settings, offering a viable pathway for supporting children's mental health in post-pandemic recovery.

In the Islamic context, mindfulness transcends the conventional psychological framework, incorporating spirituality and religious practice elements. Islamic mindfulness emphasizes total attention and self-awareness, intertwined with the principles of love, compassion, and patience (Dwidiyanti & Sari, 2019). This approach is rooted in Sufi psychology, which focuses on training the nafs (ego, self, soul) and offers spiritual remedies for emotional distress (Ismail et al., 2021)(Keshavarzi et al., 2020). Practices such as zikr (rhythmic repetition of God's names) are integral to this approach, reinforcing the connection between spirituality and mental well-being (Isgandarova, 2019). Islamic spiritual mindfulness therapy has been shown to impact mental and emotional health positively, offering a unique perspective in addressing the psychological needs of children in Muslim communities (Ganguly, 2018)(Hasanović et al., 2017)(Usman et al., 2020).

Despite the promising prospects of mindfulness-based interventions, there exist gaps in integrating these practices within a culturally and religiously sensitive framework, particularly in Islamic contexts. Existing literature predominantly focuses on secular mindfulness techniques, with limited exploration of how Islamic principles can be interwoven into these practices for children in Islamic communities. Furthermore, there is a need for empirical research assessing the effectiveness of Islamic mindfulness-based interventions in educational settings and their impact on children's mental health post-pandemic.

This awareness is carried out to enable the children to carry out their activities with full consciousness. Early childhood needs to be accustomed to knowing God as the Creator of the universe. In this case, children are accustomed to relying on everything as God's creation. This concept in Islam is faith, Islam, and ihsan. It can take the form of worship, remembering Allah (zikrullah), and doing good. Ultimately, the development of Islamic mindfulness-based play activities can be given to children as a stimulus to face-to-face learning. This will help children enter school physically and mentally healthy to prevent the effects of this pandemic.

This study aims to develop a framework for Islamic mindfulness-based play activities tailored to reduce the adverse mental health impacts of the pandemic on children. This research seeks an innovative, culturally congruent intervention by integrating Islamic spiritual practices with contemporary psychological approaches. The proposed model is anticipated to contribute significantly to the field of educational psychology, particularly in Muslimmajority contexts, by providing a practical, faith-based solution for addressing child mental health issues in the post-pandemic era.

This study adopted the Research and Development (RD) methodology, specifically tailored for educational contexts, as defined by Borg and Gall. Conducted in kindergarten (TK) and Raudhatul Athfal (Islamic kindergarten) in Jakarta-Depok, the primary goal was to develop and evaluate educational products, namely Islamic mindfulness-based play activities, to mitigate postpandemic learning challenges in children. The RD approach, typically involving ten steps (Gall et al., 1996), was modified in this research to concentrate on the development and feasibility assessment of these educational tools rather than their effectiveness or mass production. The process involved identifying children's learning challenges post-pandemic and creating and refining educational games and teaching methods designed to promote Islamic mindfulness in young learners.

This data collection and analysis involved observational studies, educator feedback sessions, and direct interaction with children using the developed tools. The analysis centered on assessing these tools' usability, engagement level, and educational impact in fostering Islamic mindfulness and addressing learning difficulties. To ensure the reliability and validity of the study, multiple testing and feedback cycles were conducted, focusing on the effectiveness of the products in actual classroom environments and their impact on children's learning and mental health post-pandemic. This approach aligns with the adapted framework from Borg and Gall, emphasizing Figure 1. Schematic of the research process for developing Islamic mindfulness-based play activities, adapted from Borg and Gall (Gall et al., 1996).

This section discusses the development results in physical models, procedural models, and individual expert evaluations consisting of learning materials experts, learning design experts, and teachers.

The Islamic Mindfulness-based Play Activity Model addresses the critical need for interventions in the post-pandemic era, particularly for child mental health. This need arises from the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education sectors, notably affecting students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who faced significant educational and social disruptions (Baker & Bakopoulou, 2023)(Chandramohan & Pramila, 2022). The pandemic's effect on families and caregivers, lacking adequate material and time to support children's learning, further exacerbated these challenges (Humphreys, 2023)(Toquero, 2021). Consequently, there emerged an urgent requirement for mental health services, especially for vulnerable groups like children with disabilities and those experiencing increased stress and anxiety due to altered educational environments (Farfán-Latorre et al., 2023)(Wilson et al., 2023).

The study's findings reveal a successful development of a physical and procedural model for Islamic mindfulness-based play activities tailored for post-pandemic mental health improvement in children. This model simplifies ten stages to seven, ensuring practical applicability in educational settings (Material Expert; Learning et al.). Notably, gratitude journal writing emerged as the most favored activity among children, indicating its potential effectiveness in enhancing positive thinking and emotional well-being (Field Trial). These results align with previous research emphasizing the importance of mindfulness and spiritual activities in improving mental health and resilience in children (Dunning et al., 2019)(Kallapiran et al., 2015).

The experience of stress in children often arises from a lack of adequate parental support, particularly noticeable during the pandemic. One significant barrier is parents' limited understanding of educational material. Parents struggle to aid their children's learning effectively without providing additional explanations for online lessons teachers offer. Compounding this issue is parents' limited time to accompany their children due to work commitments. This lack of direct guidance and support can leave children feeling confused and stressed, exacerbating the challenges they face in their educational and personal development.

In response to these challenges, educators and researchers have developed various methods to teach children mindfulness, adapting these techniques to suit different age groups, from preschoolers to teenagers. In early childhood education, activities stimulate children's growth in multiple domains, including moral, religious, cognitive, language, physical-motor, and social-emotional development. Techniques such as yoga movement-based prayer, food engagement, body awareness activities, exercises focusing on the five senses, gratitude journaling, and positive affirmations rooted in Asmaul Husna are employed. These methods aim to cultivate holistic growth and mindful awareness, allowing children to understand and appreciate their Creator, practice kindness towards others, control their emotions, understand their religion, and respect the beliefs of others. This comprehensive approach is crucial in early childhood, as it aligns with the Islamic principles of iman, Islam, and Ihsan, encouraging worship, remembrance of Allah (zikrullah), and performing good deeds.

The findings align with previous studies that highlight the importance of mindfulness and spirituality in mitigating mental health issues (Abdul-Hamid & Hughes, 2015)(Hipolito et al., 2014). Incorporating Islamic concepts in mindfulness activities, such as using Asmaul Husna for positive affirmations, resonates with the idea that spiritual practices can enhance coping mechanisms and psychological well-being (Cruz et al., 2017)(Uyun et al., 2019). However, contrary to some studies suggesting the limited impact of the pandemic on social skills and student well-being (Chandramohan & Pramila, 2022), the current research underscores the necessity of targeted interventions for mental health, especially in educational settings.

The effectiveness of the Islamic Mindfulness-based Play Activity Model in enhancing self-awareness and socio-emotional competence among children is evident (Bokoch, 2017)(Zelazo & Lyons, 2012). This model's success in the post-pandemic context is crucial, given the varied impact of the pandemic on children's mental health and social development across different demographic and socioeconomic strata (Lorthe et al., 2023)(Martineau & Bakopoulou, 2023). The positive response to the mindfulness activities, particularly gratitude journal writing, underscores the potential of such interventions in fostering resilience and emotional well-being in children (Field Trial).

An exciting aspect of the findings is the model's focus on integrating Islamic spiritual elements into mindfulness activities, which has been less explored in previous literature. This integration appears to have a positive impact on children's mental health, aligning with studies that emphasize the protective role of spirituality in coping with mental health disorders (Abdulkerim & Li, 2022)(Weber & Pargament, 2014). However, the uniqueness of the Islamic mindfulness approach necessitates cautious interpretation, as its applicability and effectiveness may vary across different cultural and religious contexts.

The significance of the study lies in its contribution to the understanding of how Islamic mindfulness-based activities can be tailored for children's mental health improvement, especially in a post-pandemic world. This approach, bridging the gap between spiritual practices and mental health interventions, offers a novel perspective on child psychology and educational interventions (Dwidiyanti et al., 2021)(Harianti et al., 2022). However, it is essential to consider the long-term effects and adaptability of such interventions in diverse educational and cultural settings.

The implications of this study are far-reaching, particularly in the context of educational and psychological interventions post-pandemic. The Islamic Mindfulness-based Play Activity Model presents a viable approach to addressing the mental health issues faced by children in a culturally sensitive manner. Its success in the study suggests the potential for broader application in educational settings, offering a holistic approach to child development that integrates mental health, spirituality, and education (Alimah, 2020)(Komariah et al., 2023). Future research could explore its adaptability and effectiveness in diverse cultural contexts, contributing to a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of child mental health interventions.

This research effectively developed and implemented an Islamic Mindfulnessbased Play Activity Model aimed at ameliorating post-pandemic child mental health issues. Centered on a physical model comprising a 14-chapter guidebook and a procedural model that simplifies ten stages to seven, the research catered to the urgent need for mental health interventions among children in Depok and Jakarta. Key components of the model include yoga based on prayer movements, engaging activities with food, self-body awareness exercises, training of the five senses, gratitude journal writing, and positive affirmations rooted in Asmaul Husna, each contributing uniquely to enhancing children's relaxation, self-confidence, healthy habits, sensory skills, and positive thinking. The model's validation through expert assessments and one-to-one teacher tests, coupled with its successful field trial involving 20 children across several schools, underscored its effectiveness and appropriateness. However, the research acknowledges limitations such as its confined geographical scope and variability in individual responses. It suggests further research to explore the model's applicability in diverse cultural contexts and its long-term impact on children's mental health. This study thus presents significant implications for educational and psychological interventions in the post-pandemic era, offering a culturally sensitive, holistic approach to child development that integrates mental health, spirituality, and education while highlighting the necessity for ongoing research in this critical field.