DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Teachers' Experiences with North Korean Defectors' Young Children during Their Initial Settlement Period at Pyeonghwa Kindergarten

입국 초기 북한이탈가정 유아가 다니는 평화유치원 교사의 경험

  • Kang, Jai Hee (Dep. of Early Childhood Education, Osan University)
  • 강재희 (오산대학교 유아교육과)
  • Received : 2013.12.12
  • Accepted : 2014.04.04
  • Published : 2014.04.30

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to acquire in-depth understanding regarding teachers' experiences with North Korean defectors' young children during their initial settlement period at Pyeonghwa Kindergarten. The participants of this study included 2 kindergarten teachers and 15 North Korean defectors' young children along with 3 local classmates. Qualitative data was collected via interviews and in-class observations. The study results show that (1) teachers witnessed that North Korean defectors' young children came from diverse backgrounds and struggled with emotional insecurity while local classmates were being excluded by them, (2) teachers had difficulties to communicate and make a consensus with their parents while teachers' efforts to communicate were being paid off gradually, and (3) teachers felt that kindergarten education was de-prioritized administratively to elementary education, and many programs were cancelled due to lack of understanding of in-charge staff.

Keywords

References

  1. Belfer, M. L. (2010). Psychological intervention in humanitarian crises. 24th Korea Peace Institute Forum Book, Psychological trauma and intervention for refugees: A focus on children and adolescents (pp. 5-36). Seoul : Yonsei University.
  2. Bogdan, R. C., & Biklen, S. K. (2006). Qualitative research for education: An introduction to theories and method (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
  3. Cho, Y. A., & Jeon, W. T. (2005). A qualitative study of North Korea women defectors' adaptation to South Korean life. The Korean Journal of Woman Psychology, 10(1), 17-35.
  4. Choi, M. S., Choi, T. S., & Kang, J. H. (2006). Psychological characteristics of children and adolescents escaped from North Korea & seeing a counseling strategy. Korean Journal of Play Therapy, 9(3), 23-34.
  5. Chung, J. K., Chung, B. H., & Yang, K. M. (2004). The adjustment of North Korean refugee youths in South Korean schools. The Korean Journal of Unification Affairs, 16(2), 209-239.
  6. Citizens' Alliance for North Korean Human Right & The Asia Center for Human Right (2008). Situation report on the rights of the child in the DPRK. Seoul: NKHR & ACHR.
  7. Davis, S. M., Sanders, S. G., FitzGerald, C. A., Keane, P. C., Canaca, G. F., & Volker-Rector, R. (2013). CHILE: An evidence-based preschool intervention for obesity prevention in Head Start. Journal of School Health, 83(3), 223-229. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12018
  8. Fraser, M. W., Kirty, L. D., & Smokowski, P. R. (2004). Risk and resilience in childhood. In M. W. Fraser (Ed.), Risk and resilience in childhood: An ecological perspective (2nd ed., pp. 13-66). Washington, DC: NASW Press.
  9. Goodfriends (2007). 2006-2007 Social changes and human rights in North Korea. Seoul: Goodfriends.
  10. Hardena, B. J., Sandstromb, H., & Chazan-Cohenc, R. (2012). Early Head Start and African American families: Impacts and mechanisms of child outcomes. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 27(4), 572-581. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2012.07.006
  11. Hindman, A. H. (2013). Mathematics instruction in Head Start: Nature, extent, and contributions to children's learning. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 34(5), 230-240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2013.04.003
  12. Hong, N. M., Lee, I. J., Kim, G. E., Park, K. H., & Choi, Y. H. (2010). Study on the experience of defecting North Korea women in South Korea: Grounded theory. Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies, 41(1), 307-343. https://doi.org/10.16999/kasws.2010.41.1.307
  13. Jeon, W. T. (2000). For the South and North Korea people's unification. Seoul: Oruem Publishing House.
  14. Kang, J. H. (2010). The kindergarten adaptation process and play features of three North Korean children defectors: A focus on their initial settlement period in the Hanawon. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Ewha Womans University, Korea.
  15. Kang, J. H. (2011). Experiences of North Korean defectors' young children during their escape journeys prior to arrival in South Korea. Korean Journal of Early Childhood Education, 31(4), 59-80. https://doi.org/10.18023/kjece.2011.31.4.003
  16. Kim, G. C., Jeon, W. T., & Jung, W. J. (2006). Health status and satisfaction with medical services. In B. H. Chung, W. T. Jeon, & J. K. Chung (Eds.), Welcome to Korea (pp. 545-551). Seoul: Hanyang University Press.
  17. Kim, H. J. (2006). Parent education and support in early childhood education settings. Seoul: Paranmaum.
  18. Kim, S. H. (2003). The effects of North Korean language policy focusing on its refugees. Seoul: Institute for Unification Education.
  19. Kim, Y. M. (2002). A case study on the South Korean life resilence for North Korean child defector. Unpublished master thesis, Sookmyung Women's University, Korea.
  20. Lee, B. M. (2003). Field studies on the adaptation processes for North Korean refugee children at an educational institute(Hanawon) in South Korea. Korean Journal of Early Childhood Education, 23(2), 115-145.
  21. Lee, C. W., & Kim, H. J. (2013). Teaching and learning methods in early childhood education. Seoul: Paranmaum.
  22. Lee, G. W. (2013. 1. 2). Last year, North Korean refugees in Korea decreased by 1,000. Retrieved December 11, 2013, http://app.yonhapnews.co.kr/
  23. Lee, K. S. (2006). A study on the social adaptation process of women migrants - Focusing on defecting North Korean residents in South Korea-. Journal of Asian Women, 45(1), 191-234.
  24. Lee, K. S. (2008). Curriculum for early childhood education (3rd ed.). Paju: Kyomunsa.
  25. Lee, K. S., Kang, S. C., Kim, B. R., Kim, S. A., Ahn, H. Y., Oh. S. R., Yoon, Y. S., Lee, U. Y., Im, S. H., & Choe, U. C. (2003). A Study on adaptation of North Korean defectors. Seoul: Korea Institute for National Unification.
  26. Lee, K. S., & Kang, S. K. (2012). Early childhood education assessment. Seoul: Changjisa.
  27. Lee, Y. J., Suh, M. H., Kim, S. H., & Park, Y. J. (2011). Early childhood care of North Korea for the unification. Seoul: Korean Institute of Child Care and Education.
  28. Ma, Y. M., & Chung, S. A. (2012). Study on children's positive emotions in the nature. The Journal of Eco Early Childhood Education & Care, 11(4), 163-191.
  29. Masten, A. S., & Powell, J. L. (2003). A resilience framework for research, policy, and practice. In S. S. Luthar (Ed.), Resilience and vulnerability: Adaptation in the context of childhood adversities (pp. 1-25). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
  30. Ministry of Education & Ministry of Health and Welfare (2012). Guidelines for teachers on the Nuri Curriculum for five year old children. Seoul: Ministry of Education & Ministry of Health and Welfare.
  31. Ministry of Unification (2013). The status of North Korean defectors. Retrieved December 11, 2013, from http://www.unikorea.go.kr/CmsWeb/viewPage.req? idx =PG0000000365
  32. OECD (2006). Start strong II: Early childhood education and care. Paris, France: OECD.
  33. Ohm, J. A. (2009). Play and early childhood education. Paju: Kyomunsa.
  34. Pyeonghwa Elementary School (2012a). Guidebook for improving school adjustment of North Korean elementary student defectors during their initial settlement period in the Hanawon. Anseong: Pyeonghwa Elementary School.
  35. Pyeonghwa Elementary School (2012b). Management practices for 2011 and its implementing plans for 2012 of NK teachers. Anseong: Pyeonghwa Elementary School.
  36. Pyeonghwa Kindergarten (2013). List of children in Pyeonghwa Kindergarten. Anseong: Pyeonghwa Kindergarten.
  37. Ramsey, P. G. (2004). Teaching and learning in a diverse world. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.
  38. Rho, S. H. (2005). The effect of the nature-friendly program on children's emotional intelligence. Korean Journal of Child Studies, 26(1), 347-357.
  39. Seefeldt, C., Castle, S., & Falconer, R. C. (2010). Social studies for the preschool/primary child (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill/ Prentice Hall.
  40. The Reconciliation Center for the Korean Peninsula (2008). A report on the family environment of the second generation of North Korean refugees in China, with special emphasis on the situation of motherless children born to North Korean mothers. Seoul: The Reconciliation Center for the Korean Peninsula.
  41. United Nations (1993). United Nations convention on the rights of the child. United Nations.
  42. Yang, S. K., & Kwon, S. H. (2007). Study on speech difference between the two Koreas by interview with "Saetermin". Korean Language Education Research, 28, 459-483.
  43. Yi, S. H., Cho, S. H., Kim, C. D., & Chin, M. J. (2007). The social and psychological acculturation of North Korean defector families. Seoul: Seoul National University Press.
  44. Yi, S. H., Kim, C. D., & Chin, M. J. (2009). Family dissolution and reorganization of North Korean refugees. Seoul: Seoul National University Press.
  45. Yoon, I. J. (2007). Relationships between health and economic adaptation of North Korean migrants. Health and Social Science, 21, 65-96.
  46. Yu, S. E. (2010). Factor analysis of economic adaptation of North Korean defectors: A 7-year panel study (2001-2007). Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Yonsei University, Korea.