Korean Preschool Research Articles

Pedagogical approaches of outdoor play in preschools in England and South Korea: Focus group discussion*

We explored the pedagogical approaches of outdoor play in preschools in England and South Korea using video-cued focus group discussions. Videos about outdoor play in each preschool in two countries were made and the five participants in each preschool took part in the focus group discussions. The results showed that children in both countries had sufficient opportunities for authentic experiences and problem-solving in meaningful situations outdoors. Outdoor play in the English preschool was free-flow, integrated in terms of time, non-structured and child-initiated, while that in the Korean preschool was pre-planned, time-tabled, structured and educator-led. English educators were more likely to take on the role of supporters or play-partners while the Korean educators acted as either guides or supervisors. Through focus group discussions, educators in both preschools reflected on their pedagogy with the aim of improving their own practices by considering their own and each other’s practices.

Reading outside the box: exploring critical literacy with Korean preschool children

ABSTRACTDespite the increasing attention paid to the importance of critical literacy in North American early childhood classrooms, critical literacy has been rarely discussed in East Asian classrooms, particularly in South Korea. The present study delineates ways in which a Korean preschool teacher interacts with her young learners during literacy activities to foster multiple perspectives on children's literature and challenge dominant ideologies inherent in text. Using qualitative data from participant observations, video and audio recordings, teacher interviews, and children's artifacts, the study provides the detailed examples of how young Korean children negotiated and constructed their voices through critical literacy activities. The teacher used problem-posing and multimodal approaches as ways to open up critical literacy spaces to facilitate the children's critical engagement with books. This study suggests examining how young children interpret text from varied perspectives has great potential for researchers and educators alike as teachers can better support young children in their development of questioning, challenging, and evaluating the meanings and purposes of texts from an early age.

Can Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Be Distinguished From ADHD Inattention in Very Young Children? Evidence From a Sample of Korean Preschool Children

Objective: This study evaluated whether sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) is separable from ADHD–inattention (IN) and uniquely associated with internalizing dimensions in preschool children in South Korea. Method: Mothers of 172 preschool children (ages 4-6 years; 52% girls) rated children’s SCT, ADHD-IN, ADHD–hyperactivity/impulsivity (HI), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), aggression, emotional reactivity, anxiety/depression, somatic complaints, withdrawal, and sleep problems. Results: Eight of 10 SCT symptoms showed convergent and discriminant validity with ADHD-IN. ADHD-IN remained significantly positively associated with ADHD-HI, ODD, and aggressive behavior after controlling for SCT, whereas SCT was no longer positively associated with these externalizing behaviors after controlling for ADHD-IN. Both SCT and ADHD-IN were uniquely associated with greater emotionally reactivity, anxiety/depression, and withdrawal. Only SCT was uniquely associated with somatic complaints, and only ADHD-IN was uniquely associated with sleep problems. Conclusion: Findings replicate results with children and adolescents, thus expanding evidence for the validity of SCT in early development.

Factors Affecting Obesity and Overweight in Korean Preschool Children: Based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2014

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of preschooler obesity/overweight and to identify associated factors. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study. Data for 591 preschoolers, 432 fathers and 538 mothers from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2014 were included. Obesity/overweight was defined by 2007 Korean National Growth Charts. T-test, Rao-Scott χ²2, multivariate logistic regression was used for the analysis. Results: Prevalence rates for preschooler obesity/overweight were 14.9% (obesity, 5.4%; overweight, 9.5%). The preschoolers with atopic dermatitis or allergic rhinitis or asthma (OR=2.78, 95% CI [1.27-6.09], p=.011) and eating more thiamine per day (OR=1.01, 95% CI [1.00-1.02], p=.001) showed higher obesity/overweight development. The only parental factor affecting preschooler obesity/overweight was parental body mass index (father, OR=1.18, 95% CI [1.09-1.28], p＜.001; mother, OR=1.09, 95% CI [1.04-1.15], p＜.001). Conclusion: Interventions on preventing preschooler obesity should be introduced much earlier for children with risk factors. Results from this study can be used as preliminary data to develop effective strategies to prevent obesity in Korean preschoolers.

The relationship between fundamental movement skills and body mass index in Korean preschool children

Early childhood obesity is a serious worldwide problem, and fundamental movement skills (FMS) are very important factors in human movement. Thus, several advanced studies have examined the associations between FMS and body mass index (BMI). The purpose of this study was to investigate BMI and FMS (locomotion and object control skills) in Korean preschool and to explore correlations between FMS and BMI. A total of 216 preschoolers, including five-year-olds (47 boys, 62 girls) and six-year-olds (55 boys, 52 girls), participated in this study. FMS were measured using the Test of Gross Motor Development-II (TGMD-II), and BMI was calculated as the weight (kg) divided by the square of the height (m) [weight/ height2]. The results indicated that the children’s FMS (locomotion and object control skills) did not correlate with their BMI levels. In addition, most of correlation coefficients between BMI and locomotion skills, as well as correlation between BMI and object control skills were not significant. These results suggest that the motor abilities of the FMS do not differ between healthy-weight and obese preschoolers. If teachers incorporate a physical activity (PA) program that focuses on FMS, they must consider other aspects, such as exercise intensity and the regulation of food intake, in the organization of an FMS program for obese children.

Possibilities and challenges of early critical literacy practices: Bilingual preschoolers’ exploring multiple voices and gender roles

Despite the emphasis on the significance of critical literacy, there has been a startling paucity of studies examining how critical literacy pedagogies can be implemented to preschool bilingual settings. In order to address this gap in the research, this qualitative case study examines the possibilities and challenges of critical literacy in bilingual Korean preschool contexts. Based on Freire’s notion that literacy is inherently political, this study focused on six 4-year-old Korean bilingual children’s reading of picture books during a read-aloud session at the Korean Language School in a Midwestern state. The data were collected for 5 months using multiple collection sources such as audio/video recordings, observational field notes, interviews, children’s artifacts, and an informal notebook, including memos and field jottings. Findings suggest that critical literacy helps young bilingual children to explore multiple perspectives and challenge the dominant gender ideologies. For professionals in early childhood education, the study may contribute to our understanding of the significance of critical literacy conversations with bilingual preschool children.

Language socialization of politeness in a Korean preschool

Language socialization of politeness in a Korean preschool

Nutrient and food group intakes of the Korean preschoolers according to growth status

Dietary habits such as nutrient and food intake are one of the most important factors for growth status, especially in early childhood population. This study was conducted to compare the intakes of nutrients and food groups in according to the growth status using data from national survey. The study included 1,665 subjects aged 2–5 years with 24h diet recall and anthropometric data who participated in the 2009–2013 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Growth status of children was assessed by weight for height (WFH) and height for age (HFA). Children were classified into three groups based on the percentiles of children's WFH and HFA compared to 15th and 85th percentiles of the WHO Child Growth Standard 2 to 5 years. The nutrient and food group intake were compared according to growth status adjusted for potentially confounding variables. In total, 4.2% children were classified as the low WFH group (<15th percentile) and 25.2% children were classified as the high WFH group (≥85th percentile). The low WFH group consumed significantly lower intake of several micronutrients such as sodium, thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamin C, compared with the high WFH group. When compared the food group intake according to the WFH status, cereals and fruits intake were lower and nuts & seeds and fishes & shellfishes were higher in the low WFH group than in the high WFH group. In total, 14.0% children were classified as the low HFA group (<15th percentile) and 10.7% children were classified as the high HFA group (≥85th percentile). The low HFA group had a significantly lower intake of energy and iron, compared with the high HFA group. No significant differences in food group intake according to the HFA status. Further studies are needed to assess the effects of eating habits on the growth and health in Korean early childhood population.Support or Funding InformationThis research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning(grant no. 2013R1A1A2057600)

Development of nutrition quotient for Korean preschoolers (NQ-P): Item selection and validation of factor structure

Development of nutrition quotient for Korean preschoolers (NQ-P): Item selection and validation of factor structure

Three Factors of Preschool Classroom Influenced On Bilingual Development of Korean Preschoolers

This is a qualitative study that investigated the first- and second language speaking peers’ contribution to the bilingual development of Korean preschoolers in a classroom in a Midwestern university campus town in the USA. Natural data collection was made from children’s bilingual discourses. Three factors, such as verbal interaction, presence of communicable peers, and play/materials, provided an authentic language learning context for the first and second language development. The several helping strategies, exchanged their roles as peer-teachers and peer learners. They used code-switching in diverse ways at different levels for active verbal communication embedded in their firstand second culture in the process of bilingual development.

Three Factors of Preschool Classroom Influenced On Bilingual Development of Korean Preschoolers

Three Factors of Preschool Classroom Influenced On Bilingual Development of Korean Preschoolers

Maternal interaction behaviors and the development of executive functions among Korean preschoolers

Maternal interaction behaviors and the development of executive functions among Korean preschoolers

The effect of predominant breast-feeding on the risk of obesity in Korean preschool children.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of predominant breast-feeding practices based on the criteria given by the World Health Organization and to identify the association between predominant breast-feeding during infancy and the development of obesity during preschool in South Korean children. This study employed a nonexperimental, retrospective study design. Five hundred and twenty-eight preschool children aged three to six years and their mothers were recruited. Twenty-seven percent of the participants engaged in predominant breast-feeding; on average they fed predominantly breast milk for the first 6.7 months. After adjusting for child and maternal characteristics, children who had mixed feeding were 1.68 times more likely to become obese than those who were predominantly breast-fed. In this study, it was identified that predominant breast-feeding has a positive effect on maintaining healthy body weight in Korean preschoolers. While encouraging predominant breast-feeding is only a part of the solution, it is an effective and important first step toward preventing preschool obesity.

Estimation of Effects of Factors Related to Preschooler Body Mass Index Using Quantile Regression Model

The purpose of this study was to investigate Korean preschoolers' obesity-related factors through an ecological approach and to identify Korean preschoolers' obesity-related factors and the different effects of ecological variables on body mass index and its quantiles through an ecological approach. The study design was cross-sectional. Through convenience sampling, 241 cases were collected from three kindergartens and seven nurseries in the Seoul metropolitan area and Kyunggi Province in April 2013 using self-administered questionnaires from preschoolers' mothers and homeroom teachers. Results of ordinary least square regression analysis show that mother's sedentary behavior (p < .001), sedentary behavior parenting (p = .039), healthy eating parenting (p = .027), physical activity-related social capital (p = .029) were significant factors of preschoolers' body mass index. While in the 5% body mass index distribution group, gender (p = .031), preference for physical activity (p = .015), mother's sedentary behavior parenting (p = .032), healthy eating parenting (p = .005), and teacher's sedentary behavior (p = .037) showed significant influences. In the 25% group, the effects of gender and preference for physical activity were no longer significant. In the 75% and 95% group, only mother's sedentary behavior showed a statistically significant influence (p < .001, p = .012 respectively). Efforts to lower the obesity rate of preschoolers should focus on their environment, especially on the sedentary behavior of mothers, as mothers are the main nurturers of this age group.

A Study on the Political Socialization of North Korean Preschool Education

A Study on the Political Socialization of North Korean Preschool Education

Screening for ASD with the Korean CBCL/1½–5

To test the Child Behavior Checklist's (CBCL/1½-5) ability to screen for autism spectrum disorders (ASD), we studied Korean preschoolers: 46 with ASD, 111 with developmental delay (DD), 71 with other psychiatric disorders (OPD), and 228 non-referred (NR). The ASD group scored significantly higher than the other groups on the Withdrawn and DSM-Pervasive Developmental Problems (DSM-PDP) scales as well as attaining higher scores (p < .001) on seven items reflecting ASD. With a T ≥ 65 cutpoint on the DSM-PDP scale, sensitivity was 80 % for identifying ASD relative to the other three groups, but specificity varied across groups: NR = 87 %, OPD = 55 %, DD = 60 %, replicating in a non-Western sample results from previous studies. Results suggested that the CBCL/1½-5 performs best in Level 1 screening, namely differentiating children with ASD from children in the general population.

국내 3-7세 어린이의 혈중 납, 수은, 카드뮴 농도와 관련요인

Objectives: Children are more susceptible to heavy metal toxicity than adults. The purpose of this study was to evaluate heavy metal concentrations in the blood of Korean preschoolers and investigate the association between metals in blood and related factors. Methods: A total of 512 subjects from 36 to 83 months of age were sampled. A questionnaire survey was performed and the levels of lead, mercury and cadmium were measured in the blood samples of all subjects. Their parents were interviewed in order to obtain information on basic characteristics, dietary patterns, socio-economic factors, and indoor/outdoor environment of the preschoolers. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the association between the above factors and lead, mercury or cadmium concentrations. Results: The geometric mean concentrations of lead, mercury and cadmium in the blood were <TEX>$1.45{\pm}1.58{\mu}g/dL$</TEX>, <TEX>$2.14{\pm}1.74{\mu}g/dL$</TEX> and <TEX>$0.23{\pm}1.91{\mu}g/dL$</TEX>, respectively. Results from multiple linear regression analysis showed that blood lead levels were associated with birth weight and paternal smoking status. Daily mercury intake from food and maternal education were also shown to influence mercury concentrations in blood. Also, blood cadmium concentrations were associated with maternal age and having a bus garage near the place of residence. Conclusion: This study suggests that smoking status, dietary patterns and the environmental status near the residence should be considered as important factors for preventable sources of heavy metal exposure in preschoolers.

A preliminary study for validation of the Preschool Behavioral andEmotional Rating Scale with Korean preschool children

A preliminary study for validation of the Preschool Behavioral andEmotional Rating Scale with Korean preschool children

Comparative study of child assessment practices in English and Korean preschools

ABSTRACTChild assessment practices in English and Korean preschools were compared by analysing data from interviews with educators, examples of child assessment, and official documents from each country. Child assessment in England was systematically implemented and characterised by several methodological and procedural strengths, whereas assessment in Korea was fragmented and unsystematic. However, the English system led to burdensome workloads for educators, the ranking of children and institutions, and practices that contradicted developmentally appropriate principles. Authorities governing kindergartens and childcare centres in Korea need to develop a uniform framework, tools, and guidelines for child assessment and to improve the structure of the early childhood education and care (ECEC) via financial support.

Korean Preschool Children's Snack and Soda Consumption and Lack of Regular Dental Checkup May Increase Risk for Early Childhood Caries

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Regular dental checkup and snack-soda drink consumption of preschool children are associated with early childhood caries in Korean caregiver/preschool children dyads. Han DH, Kim DH, Kim MJ, Kim JB, Kyunghee JC, Bae KH. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2014;42(1):70-8. Reviewer Hiroko Iida, DDS, MPH Purpose/Question What is the relationship of preschool children's oral health behavior and caregivers' self-reported oral health to the prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) in Dong-gu, Ulsan, Korea? Source of Funding Government: National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant (No. 2011-0009536) funded by the Korean Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Type of Study/Design Cross-sectional study Level of Evidence Level 3: Other evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade Not applicable