• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.227-248
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the contents of pre-service early childhood teacher's practicum experience in kindergartens and child care centers through the analysis of practice teaching journals. The subjects of this study were a total 52 practice teaching journals of 26 pre-service early childhood teachers who completed their practicum in kindergartens and child care centers. This study analyzed the type of teaching practice management, the type of activities, and the contents of journal writings. The findings are as follows; First, pre-service teachers experienced a similar ratio of the type of teaching practice management in both types of teaching practice. Second, pre-service teachers performed more group activities in practicum in kindergartens, but more choice activities in practicum in child care centers. Third, the journal writing contents of pre-service teachers in both types of teaching practice mainly addressed the operating of educational and child care activities, and the execution of observing young children. But some categories of teacher's competency were hardly addressed. The results of this study could be used as basic data for designing early childhood practicum programs.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.177-199
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to provide a better understanding of prospective teachers' experiences during their toddler educaring practicum and what the meanings of their experiences are. A narrative study on practicum experiences was conducted with four junior students who major in early childhood education in A university in Seoul. The experiences of prospective teachers in daycare centers for toddler were diverse. Such diverse experiences allowed teachers to find the meaning of the relationship between teacher and toddler and to learn what being a teacher was like. And they showed positive changes in their attitude toward practicum and becoming toddler care and education teachers following improved understanding about the lives and development of toddlers and care-giving and teaching skills. The meaning of toddler educaring practicum was explained as building justification for existence and essential identity through continuous self-reflection, and experiencing happiness of caring and teaching toddlers. During the practice, they also learned that teachers in charge of toddlers should understand their lives, provide child friendly and stable environments, and be receptive and sensitively respond to them according to their needs and developmental levels. Student teachers realized that their role was to give loving care and to have sincere concern about the lives of toddlers.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.19-39
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the experiences of foreign students in childcare practicum, with a specific focus on identifying the difficulties they encountered and the values they derived from their practicum experiences. The aim was to gain insights that can contribute to improving practicum support for these students. Methods: A total of 6 foreign students were selected as participants for this study using snowball sampling. The data collection period spanned from May 2021 to March 2023, during which semi-structured interviews were conducted and qualitatively analyzed. Results: Foreign students faced challenges in securing practicum placements prior to the start of their program. Communication difficulties necessitated the use of interpreters to interact with children. Additionally, documenting information in a language other than their mother tongue posed a challenge. Consequently, there was a need for tailored training support to address the specific needs of foreign students in childcare practicum. Despite these challenges, the students reported rewarding and valuable experiences during their practicum. These experiences included discovering the teaching identity in Korea, learning about desirable practices in the field, recognizing and addressing personal shortcomings, and developing a sense of vocation for the advancement of infant education in their home countries. Conclusion/Implications: If we actively listen to and provide appropriate support for the specific needs of foreign students in their childcare practicum, they have the potential to become excellent childcare teachers who can foster a harmonious and inclusive environment within our multicultural society.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.197-211
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• 2012

This purpose of this study was to explore the meaning and significance of experiences encountered by preservice teachers' during their observational practicum at day care centers. This study involved one cohort of 32 junior students who were majoring in early childhood education at a 4-year university. Data was analyzed using qualitative research methodology. The findings were as follows: 1) the meaning and significance of students'experiences related to observing children was to develop a trusting relationship with children and a cooperative relationship with teachers in an unfamiliar context. 2) the meaning and significance of students'experiences in observing children was to understand the children and their circumstance. 3) the meaning and significance of students'experience in observing children was to understand the importance of listening in child-teacher spoken interaction.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.219-239
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to analyze pre-service teachers' perceptions and change on the images about young children. The subjects of this study were 31 students in the early childhood department at a university. It was a longitudinal study conducted for four years. The data regarding the images that students had about young children were collected by having them answer a question. The question was "Young children are... Because of..." Subjects were asked to answer that question when they were freshmen and then, to answer the same question when they were seniors in order to see the change. A content analysis and frequency were conducted. The study of the results could be summarized as follows. Firstly, from their first year to senior year, the images that pre-service teachers perceived such as, vibrant active beings and beings with various characteristics" did not change. However, the images such as "being who was capable of interacting with environments" had changed. And the new image which viewed a child as a being who should be respected emerged. Secondly, the factors that influenced the image changes were based on the experience of working as assistant teachers at an early childhood setting, and practicum. Therefore, a systematic work on assistant teachers should be done and a concept about child-center education should be built.