Journal of Families and Better Life (가정과삶의질연구)

Korean Home Management Association (가정과삶의질학회)
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The Effect of the Temperament and Playfulness of Young Children on Their Social Competence

유아의 기질과 놀이성이 유아의 사회적 능력에 미치는 영향

  • Jo, Song-Lim (Department of Early Childhood Education, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Moon, Hyuk-Jun (Department of Child & Family Studies, The Catholic University of Korea)
  • Received : 2013.07.08
  • Accepted : 2013.10.07
  • Published : 2013.12.31
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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that affect the social competence of young children and to promote the social competence development of the age group. The study gathered data from 21 childcare teachers and 255 mothers of young children attending childcare centers in Incheon. Structured questionnaires were used for collecting data from the participants. The findings are as follows: First, playfulness and social competence varied by the age and gender of the young children. Boys outperformed their female counterparts in the sub-factors of playfulness such as physical spontaneity and sense of humor. Age caused a significant difference in all sub-factors including physical spontaneity, social spontaneity, cognitive spontaneity, manifest joy and sense of humor and the social competence of young children. Second, the study examined the correlations among social competence, temperament and playfulness. A positive correlation was shown between overall social competence and activity; social competence was negatively correlated with shyness but positively correlated with the sub-variables of children's playfulness. Lastly, emotionality, shyness, physical spontaneity, cognitive spontaneity, and sense of humor were variables that had serious effects on the overall social competence of young children.

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References

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