Objective: The purpose of this study was to verify the mediating effect of reflective thinking in the relationship between early childhood teachers' play-based curriculum implementation competences and their digital competences. Methods: An online survey was conducted targeting 330 early childhood teachers. Descriptive statistical analysis, correlation analysis, and The Process macro model 4 were performed using SPSS 28.0 and The Process macro 4.1. Results: The main results of this study are outlined as follows: first, a significant positive correlation was observed between overall play-based curriculum implementation competences, reflective thinking, and digital competences, including each of their respective sub-factors. Second, the study revealed that reflective thinking played a partial mediating role in the relationship between early childhood teachers' play-based curriculum implementation competences and digital competences. Conclusion/Implications: Through this study, it was confirmed that when reflective thinking mediated play-based curriculum implementation competences, digital competences were further increased. The findings suggest that not only positive play-based curriculum implementation competences of teachers but also reflective thinking should be considered to enhance digital competences.

Objective: This study explores the correlation between adult attachment, empathy, and teacher efficacy among childcare teachers. Additionally, it analyzes the mediating effect of empathy on the relationship between adult attachment and teacher efficacy. Methods: The survey, conducted from July to August 2023, involved 198 childcare teachers as participants. Data Analysis was performed using SPSS 23.0 and the Process Macro. Results: First, a significant correlation was identified between childcare teachers' adult attachment (avoidance) and empathy, as well as between adult attachment (avoidance) and teacher efficacy among childcare teachers. Second, the study observed a partial mediating effect of empathy in the relationship between adult attachment (avoidance) and teacher efficacy. In essence, this research confirmed both the direct effect of avoidance attachment in childcare teachers on teacher efficacy and the indirect effect mediated by empathy. Conclusion/Implications: This research affirms the impact of adult attachment and empathy on teacher efficacy among childcare teachers, discussing implications for future training and development.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether emotionality at age three predicts early school-age media overdependence and to examine the potential mediating role of internalizing behavior problems in children. Methods: This study employed data from the 4th and 10th waves of the Panel Study of Korea Children, comprising a sample of 1,270 children. Assessments of emotionality (4th wave), media overdependence (10th wave), and internalizing behavior problems (10th wave) were conducted. Data analysis utilized SPSS and the Process Macro. Results: At age 3, heightened emotionality was found to directly contribute to an increased tendency for media overdependence in early school age. Internalizing behavior problems played a significant mediating role in the relationship between emotionality and media overdependence. Conclusion/Implications: This study validated a significant longitudinal connection between emotionality and the inclination to excessively rely on media, highlighting the role of internalization behavior problems in this relationship. It is essential to provide focused attention, especially to children displaying heightened emotionality in early childhood, in order to proactively prevent internalization behavior problems and the undue dependence on media.

Objective: This research aims to examine whether the perception of professional competence among childcare teachers impacts the performance of respecting young children's rights, and whether the teacher-parent cooperative relationship mediates this association. Methods: The participants in this research were 220 teachers in Daejeon who assessed the performance of respecting young children's right, the perception of professional competence, and teacher-parent cooperative relationships through an online self-report questionnaire. The data collected in this study were analyzed using the SPSS 25.0 program. Results: Firstly, the results of examining the impact of the perception of professional competence among childcare teachers and the teacher-parent cooperation relationship on childcare that respects the rights of young children showed that each variable has a statistically significant influence. Secondly, it was found that the perception of professional competence among childcare teachers directly impacts the performance of respecting young children's rights and, indirectly, through the mediating role of teacher-parent cooperative relationships. Conclusion/Implications: To ensure high-quality childcare for young children, it is essential to consider not only professional perception but also the cooperative relationship between teacher and parent.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of communication and cooperation between teachers and parents on infant care. Specifically, this study explored the direct effect of teacher-parent partnership on teacher-infant interactions and the indirect effect through teacher sensitivity. Methods: The participants of this study were 216 teachers in charge of infant classes at child care centers located in Gyeonggi-do. They responded to questionnaires on teacher-parent partnership, their sensitivity, and teacher-infant interactions. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results: First, teacher-parent partnership did not have a direct impact on teacher-infant interactions. Second, teacher-parent partnership indirectly influenced teacher-infant interactions through teacher sensitivity. In other words, a high level of teacher-parent partnership was associated with a high level of sensitivity, subsequently resulting in the provision of high-quality interactions for infants. Conclusion/Implications: This study confirmed the role of teacher sensitivity as a mechanism to explain how teacher-parent partnership is linked to teacher-child interactions. The results emphasize the importance of communication and cooperation between teachers and parents in enhancing teachers' sensitivity and, ultimately, providing high-quality child care to infants.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to explore trends in institutional evaluation research in early childhood education through keyword network analysis. This aims to understand trends in academic discourse on institutional evaluation and gain implications for follow-up research and related policy directions. Methods: A total of 6,629 keywords were extracted from 572 dissertations and journal articles published from January 2006 to October 2023 for the purpose of analyzing and visualizing the frequency and centrality of keywords, as well as the structural properties of keyword networks. The analysis and visualization were conducted using the TEXTOM, UCINET6, and NetDraw programs. Results: First, the number of institutional evaluation studies increased steadily from 2006 to 2010 and then decreased, with a higher frequency of studies on daycare centers compared to kindergartens. Second, the most frequently occurring keyword in the analysis was 'daycare center,' and the highest connection strength was found in the term 'daycare-center-evaluation.' Third, network analysis revealed that key terms for institutional evaluation research included 'evaluation certification,' 'recognition,' 'evaluation indicators,' 'teacher,' 'daycare center,' and 'kindergarten.' In the ego network analysis for each institution, 'parent' emerged as a highly ranked keyword. Conclusion/Implications: This study confirmed the perspectives of previous studies by revealing the structure of core concepts in early childhood education institution evaluation research, and provided implications for follow-up and direction of institution evaluation