Education Plan for Kindergarten Children in Multicultural Families - Focusing on Seoul Multicultural Kindergartens -

Abstract

Purpose: This study set out to analyze educational support for young children in kindergarten from multicultural families by analyzing field cases of multicultural kindergartens in Seoul as one of the multicultural education policies set by the Ministry of Education and investigating the ways the educational policies were interpreted and implemented. Method: For this purpose, the study analyzed the content of interviews and written opinions about multicultural kindergartens providing multicultural education at eight multicultural kindergartens under the supervision of the Seoul Education Office from the perspectives of parents, teachers, and young children. Results: The findings were as follows. The parents had expectations that all the members of the organization would improve their multicultural perceptions and reduce discriminating perceptions of children from multicultural families through education on cultural diversity in multicultural education programs. By participating in a multicultural education program at a kindergarten, the parents were able to form networks and received help from it for the education of their children. Teachers said that the perceptions of multiculture have improved through this education to promote multicultural understanding. They did have difficulties with the counseling sessions with young children and providing instructions about life at kindergartens due to the lack of communication with their multicultural parents. They requested the development of multicultural teaching materials and tools for young children that are applicable to Korean education and lessons for multicultural parents.The young children were able to form peer relationships and develop their communication skills through multicultural education programs. The kindergarten administrators proposed to provide supplementations in regards to Korean education for multicultural parents due to a shortage of programs for multicultural parents, medical expense support for unregistered children, flexibility in subsidies for policy management, and connections to kindergarten and elementary schools for multicultural children. Conclusion: Today, there are a total of eight multicultural kindergartens in Seoul. The expansion of multicultural kindergartens as part of the multicultural education policies and directions will help to bring up future talents with multicultural capabilities in society and build a mature educational environment where various cultures can coexist.