• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.87-117
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to develop a documentation model that can support early chlildhood learning through play and facilitate the implementation of early childhood and play-oriented curriculum. Methods: This study utilized the design and development research methodology to derive components for the model through literature review and investigation research. In addition, the model was gradually improved through the 3rd expert review, and the validity of the model was verified through usability evaluation with 10 early childhood teachers. Results: This study identified 13 components and developed a flexible, selective, repetitive, and cyclic documentation model based on the 2019 revised Nuri curriculum. Model development is embodied and presented as a model-detailed model-detailed content. The model is presented in detail in the study. Conclusion/Implications: The documentation model developed in this study is expected to provide guidance to early childhood teachers and serve as a basis for future research on documentation in early childhood education. It is expected that it will be able to present the practical direction of records for play support for teachers in the field.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.119-141
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to investigate Pre-service early childhood teachers' perceptions and roles regarding young children's free play time. Methods: The study utilized the photovoice method and involved 21 pre-service early childhood teachers who expressed interest in participating. Participants were enrolled in an infants teaching methodology class in B city. The study involved four virtual meetings conducted via untact teams, and the automatic recordings of these meetings were transcribed for analysis. Results: The results revealed that pre-service early childhood teachers recognized young children's free play time as a period to enjoy full freedom, develop as the main agent of their lives, and express their imagination. Furthermore, pre-service early childhood teachers perceived their roles during young children's free play time as a specialist infant observer, a connector between play and learning, and a versatile supporter. Conclusion/Implications: The findings suggest the need for a systematic curriculum to provide pre-service early childhood teachers with a balanced perspective and awareness of the meaning of free play and teacher roles. The study highlights the importance of expanding pre-practice courses for observation of play and field-oriented curriculum for incumbent teachers.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.357-362
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• 2023

This study aims to investigate the perception of pre-service early childhood teachers regarding play-oriented education through metaphorical analysis, in order to comprehend its meaning that pre-service early childhood teachers perceive. A questionnaire was used, which asked the participants to express play metaphorically and provide reasons for their choices. The collected data were analyzed using a systematic metaphorical analysis approach. The results revealed that the metaphorical expressions of pre-service early childhood teachers regarding play-oriented education were categorized as instructional methods being the most prominent, followed by environment, enjoyment/happiness, autonomy, growth and development, interactive relationships, child-directedness, the essence of life, interest, creativity, potential, variability, everyday life, ambiguity of beginnings and endings, naturalness, and others. Based on these findings, it is expected that one can attain insights regarding the methods of training pre-service early childhood teachers on how to implement play-centered education in the revised Nuri curriculum.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.39-59
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• 2022

We analyze the perceptions and requirements of early childhood teachers for artificial intelligence(AI) education to develop an AI education program for 5-year-olds. As for the research methodology, we conducted a survey and an in-depth interview to extract the AI educational elements centering on the analysis stage, the first stage of the ADDIE model. The research result is that first, it is necessary to design a curriculum that combines the contents of early childhood education and AI education to be naturally accepted as AI education for 5-year-olds. Second, an evaluation tool for AI education that can showcase the teacher's reflection should be developed systematically. Third, it is necessary to support a play-centered AI education support and environment for early childhood teachers. Lastly, it is essential to establish a system that can be continuously operated in the field of early childhood education in consideration of AI education in the non-curricular curriculum. It is expected that in the future, a play-oriented AI education program for 5-year-olds will be developed to spread awareness of AI education for infants and present an AI education approach for each age and stage of learners.

• Journal of Internet of Things and Convergence
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.71-76
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• 2022

The innovative development of the 4th industry and the COVID-19 pandemic caused a great change in the education, eventually requiring elementary, middle and high schools, including kindergartens, to implement artificial intelligence(AI) education. However, since early childhood AI education is conducted in the form of results-oriented and special activities, the need for research on what early childhood AI education is and how to apply it to the Nuri curriculum has been raised. Accordingly, this study defined early childhood AI education through literature research, identified the contents of AI education, and organized and operated it in the Nuri curriculum. As a results, AI education for children should be conducted for the purpose of cultivating digital capabilities based on computing thinking skills, and computers, the Internet, and programs were extracted as sub-elements of child AI education contents. Two approaches were proposed to incorporate this into the Nuri curriculum. The first is to set each of the three AI education contents as a life theme, select sub-factors accordingly, and plan and implement activities suitable for each sub-factors. The second is to develop and operate AI education contents at the level of sub-educational activities in accordance with the life theme of the existing Nuri curriculum. It is hoped that this study will consider the characteristics of early childhood education and be organized in the Nuri curriculum to realize the true meaning of early childhood AI education, and more research on AI play education programs according to the five areas of the Nuri curriculum.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.87-98
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• 2022

This study examined the relationships between teacher variables that improve the efficacy of the play teaching of infants and toddlers following a play-oriented curriculum. The participants were 287 infant teachers. The results were as follows. First, the independent variables had a significant effect on the efficacy of play teaching, teacher-infant interaction, and classroom environment. Second, the mediating effects of teacher-infant interaction and classroom environment on the effect of independent variables on the efficacy of play teaching were as follows. The interaction mediating effect between professionalism and play belief was significant, but teaching creativity was found to be significant. In the mediating effect of the classroom environment, expertise, play belief, and teaching creativity were found to be significant. Third, both teacher-infant interaction and the multimedia effect of the classroom environment were statistically significant in mediating the effect of independent variables on the efficacy of play teaching. These results provide basic data on the necessity for teacher education to explore ways to improve teachers' sense of efficacy in teaching play and their teaching skills.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.119-135
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• 2021

Background and objective: This study was conducted to identify the components of kindergartener horticultural education by deriving objective components of horticultural education using the Delphi survey method, and then to provide basic data that can be used when creating horticultural programs in the regular curriculum. Methods: A total of 32 experts including professors of early childhood education, kindergarten directors, horticultural therapy professors, and horticultural therapists were selected as the Delphi panel. Of the 32 selected, only 29 answered all three rounds of the surveys. For the first round of the survey, an open-ended questionnaire, was used, and in the second and third rounds closed-ended questionnaires were used. Results: Results indicated that under the category of the goals of horticultural education, there were 7 items related to the current problems of horticultural education, 16 items related to the need for horticultural education in the smart age, 18 items related to the direction of horticultural education, and 5 items related to the areas most suitable for horticulture education for young children in the Nuri Curriculum. Results in the category of the implementation of horticultural education indicated that 2 items related to horticultural education hours, 3 items related to the venue for horticultural education, 2 items related to the activity types applicable to the Nuri Curriculum, and 4 items related to the objects of horticultural activities were derived. As the current problems of horticultural education, the following items were identified: event-oriented activity (M = 4.24) and lack of kindergarten teachers' opportunities for systematic gardening education (M = 4.21). The results related to the necessity of horticultural education indicated the following items: education on respect for life through caring (M = 4.59), emotional intelligence and stability (M = 4.55), directly experience of the growth process of plants (M = 4.55), and development of the five senses (M = 4.55). Finally, within the direction of horticultural education: nurturing the desire to live with nature (M = 4.50), and learning about life (M = 4.44) was identified, which had higher averages. Within the areas of the Nuri Curriculum, which is most consistent with horticultural education, nature exploration (M = 4.69) and the integration of all areas (M = 4.59) were derived as priorities. Also, regarding the implementation of horticultural education, the following items were derived as the priority from the expert group: 30-40 minutes (M = 4.14) and 40-50 minutes (M = 4.14) for class periods, outdoor garden in a kindergarten(M = 4.66) for the venue of gardening education, outside play (M = 4.59) for the activity type, and vegetable crops (M = 4.55) for the objects of gardening activities. Conclusion: It is significant that the goal and implementation of kindergartner horticultural education were objectively derived through collecting opinions of expert panels. Based on the results of this study, a horticultural education program for kindergarten teachers should be implemented.