The Perceptions of Children`s Right on Korean Early Childhood Teacher in Day Care Center

There has been growing international interest of children’s rights in early childhood education context. Currently in Korea, the issue of children`s rights draw public attention due to reporting children`s abuse at daycare centers or at homes. Daycare teachers have a fundamental right to teach their children as they see fit, and have a vital role in identifying, reporting, and preventing child abuse and neglect.

Using questionnaire survey, this study explored the early childhood teachers` recognition of children`s rights. The participants were 245 teachers from daycare centers located in Incheon and Gyeonggi Metropolitan City. To measure early childhood teacher’s perception of children’s right, the scale that Kim(2014) modified, which was originally created by Kang and Lee(1997) based on Hart and Zeidner(1993)’s scale was used. Data was analyzed by correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis using SPSS 21.0 program.

The major results of the study were as follows: first, most of early childhood teachers who took part in the survey recognized the children`s rights and thought that they were playing a right role as teachers as far as the children`s rights are concerned. Second, based on their personal variables, there were some differences in the perception of children`s rights. This study implied that teachers need to be educated in order to educate children about their rights more effectively. For getting more sense about the children`s right, teachers should be acknowledged not only at home but at other facilities and child welfare environments.