• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.355-361
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• 2024

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of early childhood teachers' professional development and Grit on their teacher-child interactions. The subjects were 363 early childhood teachers working at kindergartens or childcare centers of South Korea. We used self-reporting survey questionnaires to measure the major variables and utilized the SPSS 28.0 Program to analyze the collected data. Cronbach's alphas were calculated and the descriptive statistical analyses were conducted. To investigate the research questions, Pearson's correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were done. As results, the higher early childhood teachers' professional development and Grit were, the higher their teacher-child interactions were. Early childhood teachers' professional development and Grit were found to have positive effects on their teacher-child interactions, which showed that professional development and Grit would predict the quality of interactions between teacher and young children. Based on these results, we suggest the importance of early childhood teachers' professional development and Grit so that they practice excellent interactions with young children in order to support development and learning through play.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.163-168
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• 2023

The purpose of the study was to examine the mediating effect of early childhood teachers' professional development in the relationship between intrapersonal intelligence and teacher-child interactions. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 324 early childhood teachers working at kindergartens and child-care centers in South Korea. The empirical data using survey questionnaires were collected by administering the Adult Introspective Intelligence Scale, the Professional Development Scale for Early Childhood Teachers, and the Teacher-child Interactions Scale. SPSS and Hayes' PROCESS macro weres utilized. The results showed the statistically positive correlations between the major variable and the mediating effect of early childhood teachers' professional development in the relationship between intrapersonal intelligence and teacher-child interactions.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.56-78
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• 2012

This study which is an alternative exploration for improving the quality level of instruction considering the perception of the teachers in early childhood education field on instructional design is to develop Differentiated Instructional Design Model coincides with the purpose of differentiated instruction curricula and with instructional design principles, and to find out whether the model has significant effect on development of teacher's professionalism. With these purposes, the perception of 343 teachers from early childhood education institutions are investigated, and after component variables are set by drawing the instructional design model available in early childhood education field and reviewing the literature of differentiated instruction model, the Differentiated Instructional design Model for Early Childhood are developed based on FGI(Focus Group Interview) expert evaluation. The experimental study of 88 teachers working in childcare facilities was implemented for effectiveness verification. As a result, first, most teachers consider the priority on making the lesson plans as the development of early childhood and Kindergarten Educational Subjects, and they realize the development of instructional design model which contributes on lesson planning and implementation is much needed. Second, the Differentiated Instructional design Model for Early Childhood are developed, which consists of the cyclic process - pre-lesson phase, lesson implementation phase, and assessment phase -based on development characteristics of early childhood. Third, the experiment of the developed model showed that the scores of experimental group is significantly higher than those of comparative group in knowledge and technique development aspect, and self-understanding development aspect among the aspects of development of teacher's professionalism.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.71-82
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to examine perceptive change in attitude toward infancy and early childhood among university students' who were exposed to a human development lecture on infancy and early childhood. This study aims to investigate the significance of education in shaping attitudes related to child development and the importance of infancy and early childhood as developmental stages. This study also seeks to provide basic data for expanding and systematizing relevant educational programs. Fifteen university students who attended a lecture on human development were divided into four groups with three groups containing 4 members and one group containing 3 members. The following results were obtained: 1) Before attending the lecture on human development, students perceived infancy as a period dominated by feelings of helpless, indifference, and a general lack of knowledge or ability to interact with their environment; 2) Before attending the lecture on human development, students perceived early childhood as an initial period of transition that can potentially influence one's future; 3) After attending the lecture, students were better able to rationalize the developmental importance of infancy and early childhood. 4) After attending the lecture, students displayed broader understanding of the importance of early childhood on human development. This study also discusses the necessity for continuous and systematic provision of programs to help adults develop a positive perception of infancy and early childhood as a developmental process related to parenting skills.

• 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 Child Studies
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.151-165
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the information literacy of preschoolers and their developmental trends. The subjects in this study were 122 preschoolers. After taking tests in information literacy and early childhood development, the collected data was analyzed. The findings of the study were as follows : First, there were gaps among the preschoolers in the level of early childhood development according to the relative levels of their information literacy. When a post-hoc analysis was carried out to investigate intergroup differences in detail, there were statistically significant gaps between the preschoolers with excellent information literacy and those with intermediate-or poor information literacy, and between the preschoolers with intermediate information literacy and those with poor information literacy. Second, the differences in terms of the levels of information literacy and the impact these differences made to their body, cognition, language, sociability and emotions which comprise the five subfactors of the early childhood development inventory were checked after the mutual influence of the five subfactors was controlled. As a result, statistically significant gaps were apparent in all the subfactors of early childhood development according to relative levels of information literacy. The preschoolers who had a better level of information literacy exhibited a statistically significantly better level of development in every subfactor.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.523-537
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• 2009

This research aimed to understand the current status of early childhood education and to develop a future direction of early childhood English education. One group interview and three private interviews were conducted with 10 early education teachers to obtain in-depth understanding of the problems inherent in English education. The findings show that there is an internal conflict in the teachers regarding the value of English education in early childhood. In addition, there are external conflicts with the children the parents, the English teacher, the program director, and the government in English education. It is concluded that the early childhood educators felt an internal conflict regarding the current, inappropriate execution of early English education which is lacking a suitable educational plan including goals and practices. Furthermore, the teacher's preference for English also contributed to the internal conflict regarding the belief in early childhood English education. Secondly, the external conflicts included: English teachers with inadequate understanding of comprehensive early childhood development, parents who show excessive interest in early childhood English education without regard to childhood development, the reality that early childhood English education is mostly influenced by the attitudes of the program director without regard for the conflicts experienced by the early childhood teacher, and the politics of the government continuing to ignore the reality that early childhood English education ontinues in practice without being included in the national curriculum.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.85-106
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of early childhood teachers in teaching young children with language development delays. Methods: Eight early childhood teachers with experience teaching children with language development delays were interviewed. The collected data were analyzed through transcription, coding, and theme generation processes, resulting in three main themes and seven sub-themes. Results: First, early childhood teachers mentioned difficulties in communication due to language development delays, the need for communication support with peers, and a lack of support from families. Second, the guidance for young children with language development delays was provided by considering the characteristics of these children and through collaboration among various stakeholders. Third, early childhood teachers requested tailored training for teaching young children with language development delays. They also called for the establishment of a cooperative system among early childhood education institutions, families, and specialized agencies. Conclusion/Implications: Based on the research findings, a discussion was conducted on the support needed for guiding young children with language development delays, and suggestions were made for further research in this area.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.41-51
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• 2000

This study discusses the interpretation and application of a post modern perspective to child development knowledge and early childhood teacher education. The survey of literature focused on the post modern approach to child development knowledge and early childhood teacher education, research in the reassessment of child development knowledge as it is challenged by the post modern perspective, and deconstruction of both child development knowledge and early childhood teacher education. It was concluded that child development knowledge is necessary but insufficient to early childhood teacher education. In the post modern perspective, the movement toward fostering "reflective practitioners" and basic knowledge base is more significant. Therefore, the responsibility of academics is to walk the fine line between presenting a formal knowledge base so that students gain assumption to guide their thinking and practice, critiquing both theory and derived practices.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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• v.61
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• pp.165-201
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to explore the development of language education of Christian early childhood education by exploring the change of pre-Christian preschool teachers through the development of biblical language education activities. Interviews, surveys, action plans, and reflections of 19 Christian education students who participated in the development of bible-based language education activities for children based on the language of early childhood language, were conducted from September 3 to December 28, 2018. The data were collected through a portfolio. By analyzing the collected data, the key categories were derived and categorized. For the objectification of data analysis and interpretation, two thematic and early childhood education specialists were identified. As a result, the preparatory Christian teacher experience for the development of bible-based langage education activities for young children was categorized into cognitive change, personality change and practical change. First, through the development of bible-based early childhood language education activities, Christian pre-service early childhood teachers have brought cognitive changes as 'processes not outcomes', 'integration not separation', 'living non-curriculum' and 'meaning not effect'. In developing bible-based language education activities for young children, Christian pre-service early childhood teachers experienced a cognitive change in the 'process of language education activities' rather than the developmental achievements and results of early childhood language education. Christian pre-service early childhood teachers recognized the necessity of 'integration of listening-speaking-reading-writing', not the separation of early childhood language education. They recognized the importance of 'informal language education in kindergarten life', as well as teacher-centered formal language education. In addition, they have made a cognitive change that 'child-centered meaningful language education experience' is more important than the effectiveness of early childhood language education. Second, in developing bible-based language education activities for young children, Christian pre-service early childhood teachers showed personality changes as 'confident teachers', 'professional teachers', and 'teachers with reflective thoughts and attitudes'. Finally, in developing bible-based language education activities for young children, Christian pre-service early childhood teachers recognized the power of positive language and practiced it to form habits of using the right language and to link Christian education with early childhood education. Through the development of bible-based language education activities for young children, Christian pre-service early childhood teachers are equipped with the heart attitude and enthusiasm required to become true early childhood teachers for young children in unpredictable educational conditions and rapidly changing educational realities. Teacher efficacy has improved. In the future, it is expected that various teacher education programs linking Christian education and early childhood education will be continuously and systematically implemented.