Towards play-based curriculum: moderating effect of early childhood teacher's experience on the relationship between teacher's playfulness, teaching efficacy, and classroom interaction during curriculum revision

초록

In 2019, South Korea revised its national level early childhood curriculum emphasizing child-centered, play-based approach. The revision process involved training for 24 pilot preschools and 20 childcare centers. This study compared participants based on participation in the pilot program to determine effectiveness of the program. A total of 259 early childhood teachers completed an online survey. Among the participants, 105 participated in the pilot program. Using SPSS 27.0, descriptive statistical analysis, independent sample t-tests, and bivariate correlations were calculated. PROCESS macro Model 7 was utilized to analysis the moderating effect of the experience on the relationship between teachers' playfulness, teaching efficacy, and classroom interaction. According to the analysis, teachers with more years of experience tended to have higher levels of teaching efficacy and classroom interaction. Also, teacher's playfulness significantly influenced classroom interaction mediated by teaching efficacy. Lastly, the moderating effect of experience was statistically significant only for teachers who participated in the pilot program. Teachers with low to mid-levels of experience displayed a significant moderating effect on teaching efficacy. The revision of the curriculum poses a new challenge for teachers. Therefore, it is importance to tailor curriculum revisions and teacher training programs according to teachers' levels of experience.

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