유아교사들이 인식하는 교사의 핵심역량에 관한 연구

Abstract

Objectives This study aims to investigate early childhood teachers' perceptions of what core competencies are required for effective job performance in the field of early childhood education, and to identify the future com-petencies of early childhood teachers according to rapidly changing social situations.
 Methods Research participants were 12 current teachers working at early childhood education institutions, and three focus interviews were conducted, and the 52 transcripts were analyzed according to a qualitative analysis process.
 Results First, the participants wanted to compose professionalism/personality in teaching profession as a com-petence and emphasized basic skill and quality. Second, they insisted that infants and toddlers’ developmental stage need to be segmented, and thus the developmental stage by age of months and the details on devel-opmental characteristics after seven years of age should be added. Third, they argued that the teachers need to enhance their competences as a play supporter so that the 2019 revised Nuri curriculum can be operated. Lastly, they demanded the development of programs for interpersonal relations and the communication competences and the evaluation method improvement in evaluation and accreditation. The Although the importance of eco-logical transformation education, democratic citizenship education, and digital literacy reflected in the 2022 ele-mentary, middle and high school curriculum revision as core competencies for future education of early childhood teachers is recognized, there is a lack of understanding of the practice method in the field of early childhood education.
 Conclusions The results of this study can be reflected in the composition of the curriculum for pre-service early childhood teachers and the training contents of in-service teachers, which can enhance the core competence of teachers for future education. As a follow-up study, it is necessary to explore a core competency model for fos-tering early childhood teachers that reflects the core competency required in the field of early childhood education and responding to changes in the future society.