유치원 교사가 인식한 유아시민교육의 실제와 방향성

Abstract

This purpose of this study is to investigate practices and direction on citizenship education for young children recognized by preschool teacher as a agent of practice. To do this, data were collected from 12 preschool teachers using 5 times focus group interviews, from July 23 to August 9, 2021 and analyzed data according to the inductive spiral qualitative data analysis method presented by Creswell (2007). The findings showed that first, preschool teachers’ perception on practices of citizenship education for young children were as follows: ‘unplanned but included in Nuri curriculum’, ‘implemented in the form of character education and basic life habit education’, ‘develop children who are today’s citizen into citizen of the future’, ‘daily life education seeking common good.’ The second, preschool teacher’s perception on direction of practices of citizenship education for young children were as follows: ‘guaranteeing teachers' autonomy while integrating character education and basic life habit education’, ‘creating a democratic classroom where children participate and are responsible’, ‘secure safety through order and rules, but in a democratic way’, ‘from raising teachers' awareness to parents education, and further forming a democratic social culture.’ The findings of this study give some discussion about that challenges and directions of citizenship education practices based on conceptual relations between citizenship, character education and basic life habit education. Also, meaning to direction of citizenship education practices perceived by preschool teachers was discussed.