Effects of Physical Environment, Child Care Curriculum, Teacher’s Interaction Quality on Toddler’s Play Behavior

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to verify the importance of child care quality and provide basic data to arrange a support system considering the improvement of child care quality. For this study, the effects of physical environment, child care curriculum, and interaction quality on toddlers play behavior in class for two-year-olds in child care centers were examined. The subjects of this study were 100 children and 14 teachers in 14 child care centers in Seoul. The quality of physical environment and child care curriculum were evaluated by the Child Class Check List. The quality of teacher interaction was evaluated by the Caregiver Interaction Scale(CIS). Toddlers play behavior was measured by the Play Behavior Observation Table. The results of this study were as follows. First, physical environment had an effect on toddlers play behavior. Second, the quality of child care curriculum had an effect on toddlers play behaviors. Third, teacher interaction was the main factor influencing toddlers play behavior. Study results imply that is important to educate toddlers teachers for them to recognize the importance of child care quality. Also, it is necessary to create an institutional framework for toddlers teachers to develop their professionalism.