Abstract
This research aims to develop traditional cat and rat games to improve social and emotional abilities of children aged 5-6 years. This research adopts the type of development research from Borg and Gall. Data collection was carried out through the observation method. Subjects in the study were 20 children. The data analysis technique used a quantitative descriptive technique. The results of the development of traditional cat and rat games in this study are the addition of aids and game rules. Some steps to play are 1) preparing the number of players, namely 15-20 children; 2) setting up a playing field; 3) preparing the game tools; 4) explaining the steps and rules of the game; 5) children do hompimpa to determine the roles; 6) the teacher puts on the child's play equipment; 7) when they're ready, children who have not yet got the role of rats and cats form a circle as a fortress; 8) the child who acts as a rat stands in a circle and a cat stands outside the circle; 9) the child who acts as a running rat avoids the cat from being caught but both must remain within the designated area; 10) the game is over if the rat is caught by the cat and the role can be replaced by another child; and 11) the game is over if the rat or cat runs over the designated area boundaries and the role can be replaced with another child. The result of indicator achievement in first development shows that about 35.87%, in second develooment indicates about 51.92%, then, in third stage of development, there was a significant increase in the amount of 82.50%. The development of traditional cat and rat games is one of the effective methods to improve the social-emotional abilities of children aged 5-6 years.