• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.391-412
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• 2014

The Integrated Center for Early Childhood Education and Care established 595 centers in 2013 that are integrated kindergarten and nursery centers. The Japanese government revised the law for the Center for Early Childhood Education and Care in 2012 and published the standards for equipment, management, and curriculum for early childhood education and care in April 2014. Presently the standards for equipment and management for integrated centers for early childhood education and care is based on a higher level than kindergarten and nursery centers. Therefore, the quality of education and care that the kindergarten and nursery centers are currently providing can be expected to continue. However childhood education and care curriculum is excessively emphasized education. Because infants and toddlers of 0-5years are spending most of the day in integrated centers for early childhood education and care, the contents related to childcare should be strengthened.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.19-38
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• 2022

Objective: The goal of this study is to develop an instrument for measuring the quality of teacher support for children's play (age 3-5) based on the Play Practice Resources for Teachers presented in the 2019 revised Nuri Curriculum. Methods: The subjects of this study were 333 early childhood educators. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, as well as correlation analysis were all performed to confirm construct validity and concurrent validity. The reliability of each factor was verified using Cronbach's alpha. Results: The Preschool Teacher Play Support Scale (PTPSS) was finalized with 25 items, which included the following four sub-factors: interaction, play materials, play space, and play safety. The concurrent validity was also confirmed through significant correlations between the existing measures such as the Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale, the Teaching Efficacy Scale for Play, and the Teacher-Toddler Interaction Scale. The reliability of each factor was also desirable. Conclusion/Implications: The PTPSS was verified as a sound measure quantifying the play support behavior of teachers who respect the autonomy and initiative of young children which is being pursued by the 2019 revised Nuri Curriculum.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.44 no.3 s.217
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• pp.61-68
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of preservice teachers toward children from single parent families. 218 preservice teachers (209 female and 9 male) who were enrolled in the department of early childhood education and child care & education were participated in this study. A questionnaire was developed based on the questionnaire developed by Song, Sung, & Han (2003). Data were analyzed by using SPSS 11.5. The results were followed. First, preservice teachers' personal experiences of single parent families did not influence their perception of children from single-parent family. Second, preservice teachers who strongly held the view of keeping traditional family structure showed negative expectations of children's school adjustment. Third, preservice teachers reported the importance to help the children adjustment at school as well as to deal with their personal and family problem. The results presented that there was an increasing need in teacher education, to develop curriculum for preservice teachers to have balanced views or reduce their biased perception against diverse family structure and children from single parent families.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.159-170
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• 2020

Despite evidence that early childhood teachers play a critical role in guiding children through their child assessment, most beginning teachers in the survival stage face the greatest difficulties in this area. Using the intentional and purposeful tools of action research, this collaborative action study supports a beginning teacher in reflecting upon her perceptions of the 'child assessment' of young children and devising and evaluating good guidance practices. During the course of the study, the participating teacher became engaged in more reflective teaching which prompted her to perceive the "child assessment" of the children from different perspectives. As her understanding of the importance of making her curriculum and classroom climate more engaging and meaningful deepened and she reconceptualized her notion of child assessment, the teacher witnessed positive changes in her students' behaviors which, in turn, increased her sense of efficacy. These very positive, empowering results are strong recommendation for using collaborative action research especially in the novice years of teaching for it provides the teacher with a life-long transformative tool for professional development.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.143-157
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• 2013

This study used a qualitative research method to comprehensively deal with child care training in depth with the following content: the goals of child care teachers preparing for practical training; how they perform and feel about their roles throughout the training period as child care teachers; and their evaluation after the training period. A total of 10 people participated in the research and the training activities of child care teachers were qualitatively explored based on the results. The research findings are as follows. First, child care teachers have expectations for prospective teachers and take time for self-evaluation while preparing for teaching. Also, child care teachers set a goal of helping prospective teachers develop into outstanding teachers and have expectations for it. Second, child care teachers evaluate prospective teachers by treating them as colleagues while teaching them. Furthermore, child care teachers consider themselves as educators who train and produce child care professionals. Prospective teachers define their roles as assistants and learners in the actual educational scene. In addition, child care teachers feel a sense of pride by performing as hands-on training teachers. At the same time, they reflect on themselves by evaluating their duties as educators in their relationships with prospective teachers. Third, child care teachers suggested the need for changing the training system for themselves and prospective teachers after training. In addition, they argued that the gaps between school education and the actual educational scene should be reduced through solid training for acquiring new knowledge and information in both places in accordance with the rapidly-changing child care environment. Finally, the suggested the necessity of establishing a standard training curriculum and educational programs within their institution.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.1-24
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• 2021

Objective: In this study, a department accreditation system was introduced as a specific way to improve the professionalism of childcare teachers, and evaluation indicators for department accreditation and the implementation system were derived to find a practical direction. Methods: According to the purpose of this study, related laws and websites were reviewed. In addition, in order to investigate opinions on the composition and implementation system of qualification indicators, a meeting was conducted with professors of the department of childcare teacher education and other qualification experts. Results: In order to introduce a department accreditation system for childcare teacher education, it is necessary to specify the relevant laws, and that the operation of an organization affiliated with a public institution is appropriate for the practical implementation of the system. In addition, an evaluation index plan composed of three indicators of educational conditions, curriculum, and performance areas was derived. Conclusion/Implications: In this study, a practical preparation plan, such as evaluation indicators and an implementation system, was presented for the introduction of a department accreditation childcare teacher education system. It is expected that this study will contribute to the successful establishment of the accreditation system of childcare teacher education.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.201-220
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to analyse the effects of teachers'personal background (academic, education career) and institutional characteristic factors(founded facility type, class size, and curriculum organization type) on the quality of the classroom in early childhood education and care(ECEC) fields. This study is to explore the conditions for improving the quality of ECEC, looking back on a traditional paradigm focused on teacher education and qualifications. The hierarchical regression analysis was conducted through a survey as a research method. The results indicated that the effects of institutional characteristics were more influential than teachers' education on classroom quality. Public kindergartens and child care centers were reported to have higher effects than the private ones on classroom quality. Based on these results, policy implications and future research plans were suggested in perspective of improving the publicness of ECEC services.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.115-131
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• 2017

Objective: This study aimed to examine the status of South Korean unification education for young children by reviewing Nuri curriculum developed by the Korean government. Method: Literature review was adopted in order to analyze the contents of the Nuri curriculum teachers'manuals under the areas and elements of unification education. Results: Unification education has been designed to accelerate unification, to promote the values and attitudes toward the unification of the two Koreas, and to prepare for the post-unification period. This education can be categorized into specific areas: democratic community, democratic citizenship, peacekeeping and multiculturalism. These areas account for 24.24% of the total contents in the Teachers'Manual of the Nuri curriculum. The percentage of the contents helpful to understand North Korea and unification, however, is merely 0.25% of the total contents, and the elements are not fairly balanced. Such content coverage of the teacher's manuals for kindergartens is 2.83% higher than that for preschools. Conclusion/Implications: The implications of this analysis include that the elements of unification education should take a more balanced approach with more integrated and broader coverage. The elements also need to be revised so that both kindergarteners and preschoolers can get access to unification education of the same quality.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.53-72
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to reveal early childhood teachers' perceptions of teacher competency for ESD using concept mapping and demonstrating its importance. Methods: 16 early childhood teachers in charge of 3-5 year olds conducted statement writing, and then the importance of selected statements were rated by 160 early childhood teachers in charge of 3-5 year olds. Selected statements were analyzed through multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis. Results: Early childhood teachers perceived teacher competency for ESD in early childhood as concept mapping with two-dimensions and six clusters. The following six clusters were established (1) ethics for sustainable development, (2) willingness to participate in ESD, (3) development and operation of a sustainable development curriculum, (4) recognition and practice of environmental issues, (5) realization of value for sustainable development, and (6) practical thinking for ESD. And then among the six clusters, the most important cluster was recognized as 'ethics for sustainable development', and among the statements 'having an open mind to understand multiculturalism and the disabled' was considered relatively important Conclusion/Implications: Based on these results, we discussed the importance of teacher competency for ESD in early childhood, development of teacher competency scale, and preparation of a teacher education plans for each competency.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.29-47
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to understand the teacher's role as play supporter in a carry out play generated curriculum and develop and implement an action plan in order to indoor free play. Methods: Participants were 14 kindergartners (9 boys, 5 girls) and one teacher. Processes of planning-implementation and observation- reflection were repeated in a cyclical procedure and the 3rd action plan was conducted based on strategies to support children's play. Results: Children experienced the following: Continuing and immersive play, play filled with experiments and challenges, play to make together, attitude to enjoy novelty and respect differences, and play of trial and error. And the researcher changed the following: Be sensitive to the child's words and actions, finding the 'real interest' of children in 'waiting', acquiring the perception that 'children are the masters of play', seeing the value of learning in children's expressive play, and gain confidence in play support. Conclusion/Implications: This study suggested the need for teacher to have patience and demonstrate reflective thinking in order to support children's play.