• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.253-261
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• 2016

This study discusses the effective management of mixed-ages classes in kindergarten. For the study, 300 kindergarten teachers in charge of mixed classes for regular courses completed a self-reported questionnaire through a web survey. The data were analyzed by chi-square test and presented by frequency and percentage. Mixed-ages classes had relatively fewer children than one-age classes and they were prevalent in public kindergartens and rural areas. The results were as follows. First, mixed-ages classes were induced by the small number of young children. Second, teachers managed their classes with difficulty due to the lack of supporting staff and few chances for additional teaching training. Third, teachers needed supporting human resources for their teaching and administration assistances. About 23.0% of kindergartens received assistance such as additional training, financial assistance, and consulting supervision from related institutions. The study results suggested the challenges in regulations of age ratio in mixed-ages class, additional teaching training for teachers in mixed-ages classes and replacement of mixed-ages class to same age class as the long-term plan.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.79-99
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• 2010

This study inquired into the life and experiences of two elder sisters who have different individual and familial risk factors and their younger brothers from the mixed-age preschool class through ethnographic research method using participant observation. The results showed that an elder sister from low-income multi-children family played her role very actively through caring for, learning and playing with younger brother during almost of the play situations. On the other hand, the other elder sister who has experience of depression, showed strong possessiveness and neglect of younger brother. As for psychological aspects of sibling relationship, the elder sisters were suffering psychological stresses resulted from excessive role expectation in family or from self-recognition on elder sister role, respectively.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.70-78
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate how young children recognize the image of robots, and how they understand the relationship between themselves and robots based on school experience. 20 children from kindergarten A had no direct experience with educational robots, whereas 20 children from kindergarten B had experience in using educational robots in their classroom. Total 40 children from age group 5 class participated in this study. We collected data using interview and drawing test. The findings of the study are as follows: First, participating children recognized robots as having both the character of a machine and a human. But children with previous robot experience provided description of robots as a machine-tool. Both groups were not able to explain the structure of robots in details. Second, participating children understood that they can develop a range of social relationships with robots, including simple help to family replacement. There were mixed views on robots among the children with previous experience, but children with no experience described robots as taking the role of peers or family members. These findings could contribute to the development of robots and related programs in the field of early childhood education.

• Korean Journal of Child Education & Care
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.179-189
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• 2018

Objective: This study composed a melody program through handbells, and applied it to the mixed-age edu-care children. Methods: This study implemented a handbell melody program suitable for children's interest and development characteristics, based on Nuri Curriculum, to 15 mixed-aged edu-care children aged 3 to 4 at C Kindergarten located in Seoul for 12 weeks (once a week) from October 2015. Results: The program consisted of the origin of handbell, promises to keep in playing the handbell, partial literary introduction, and musical note activities using teaching aids or games in an integrated way with other areas. Through the program, dynamic class could be carried out with mutual leading participation of a teacher and children. Consequently, children aged 3 to 4 could easily encounter playing the handbell, being interested in playing, and showed cooperative spirit and society-friendly behaviors. The mixed age edu-care teacher felt pleasure and achievement of challenge by performing the class herself, which had depended upon extracurricular activities. Conclusion/Implications: A further study as action research for edu-care teachers, focused on change of edu-care teachers themselves, is proposed.