Qualitative research on guidance of the class rules of the 3-year-old class teacher at kindergarten

Abstract

Objectives This study aims to examine how a 3-year-old teacher teaches class rules to children. Through this study, we will discuss educational implications for the desirable rule guidance of the 3-year-old class. Methods For this study, participation observation was conducted on 21 children and 2 teachers in a class aged 3 years. Data collected through observation were analyzed through a categorization process. Results There were two types of rule guidance for 3-year-old teachers: ‘teaching stage’ and ‘teaching method’. The ‘teaching stage’ could be divided into pre-instruction of compliance’, ‘instruction for compliance and violations’, and ‘post-instruction of compliance’. There were ‘teaching method’ including ‘storytelling’, ‘discussion’, ‘questions’, ‘showing othres’ mood or position’, ‘negotiation’, ‘directions’, ‘explanation’, ‘demonstration’, ‘reward’, ‘prohibition’, ‘immediate action’. Conclusions Teachers should repeatedly teach 3-year-olds class rules using various teaching methods depending on the type of rules and be able to wait for changes in children’ behavior. Futhermore, teachers should help 3-year-old children develop their ability to judge right and wrong on their own and control themselves through rule guidance so that they can be socialized in the community.