• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.44 no.3 s.217
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• pp.69-77
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• 2006

The purpose of this research was to provide recommendations for eco-centered early childhood education as a new paradigm in Korean society. Questionnaires were collected from directors, teachers, and parents of private & public kindergartens, as well as child care centers, in Bucheon city. The data were analyzed based on the frequencies, $X^2$ test, F test, and Scheffe test. The results were as follows. (a) Most directors, teachers, and parents positively agreed with the eco-centered early childhood education and recognized its benefits. (b) In order for the eco-centered early childhood education to be successful, development of various programs, systematic study, ongoing teacher training, and parents' education were required. (c) In order for the eco-centered early childhood education to develop more culturally appropriate program, close connection with local community, reorganization of the early childhood education curriculum, and government support were needed. The findings demonstrate that eco-centered early childhood education is necessary for the future wellbeing of Korean society.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.101-116
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• 2016

Objective: This study aimed to investigate how the eco-centered early childhood education by seasonal divisions influences the child's nature-friendly attitude and emotional intelligence. Methods: Forty 5-year-olds from 2 preschools in Gyeonggi were selected through convenience sampling and were divided into the experimental group (21) and the comparative group (19). The experimental group received eco-centered childhood education by seasonal divisions 2 or 3 times a week (33 in total). Pre-post data were collected on both groups and analyzed via t-test and ANCOVAs. Results: The key result was as follows: eco-centered childhood education by seasonal divisions influenced positively the nature-friendly attitude and emotional intelligence of children. Conclusion: Based on the result, it is recommended that eco-centered early childhood education be applied in childhood education and that relevant program be developed. Eco-centered education by seasonal divisions is meaningful in early childhood so that children can be harmonious with the nature. Furthermore, the study should be continued for the development of qualified eco-centered education.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.29-49
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• 2014

This study focused on how early childhood in-service teachers and pre-service teachers understood the concept of Forest Education. By applying the analysis of conceptual maps, introduced by Novak and Gowin's (1983, 1984), this study examined the number of upper category and subcategories, characteristics, hierarchy, and density of teachers' knowledge of Forest Education. 39 early childhood teachers and 60 pre-service teachers participated in this study. First, in-service teachers put 'nature(forest)' and 'living creatures' in the highest level of knowledge of Forest Education. On the other hands, pre-service teachers put 'the effect of Forest Education' and 'program' as well as 'nature(forest)' in the highest level of knowledge. In-service teachers seemed to construct their knowledge by understanding Forest Education as curriculum or activities such as math, language, music or multicultural education. Therefore they had a tendency to talk more about specific concepts including four seasons, insects, air, or climate change. However, pre-service teachers described 'the interconnectedness between human and nature', 'deep relationship with nature' and 'provision of nature.' This tendency might relate to their prior educational experiences of Eco-centered Early Childhood Education. With regards to the density and hierarchy of knowledge on Forest Education, both groups revealed the relatively low degree of density with average of around 2.00. This result can be interpreted that both groups of teachers might not have strong hierarchical and organizational knowledge of Forest Education. For the teacher education, philosophical background and practical knowledge of Forest Education should be included more.