Implementing Multicultural Education for Young Children in South Korea: Early Childhood Teachers` Needs

This study examined the knowledge/skills early childhood teachers want to learn for implementing multicultural education for young children in South Korea. A total of 211 early childhood teachers participated in this study via a self-response questionnaire. The participants expressed a strong desire to learn more about understanding culture and multicultural education; planning, integrating, and implementing a curriculum for children from multicultural families; and collaboration and continued professionalism. Significant group differences were also found based on their educational level and years of teaching experiences. The implications of the findings include the importance of considering a stronger foundation and clearer direction for multicultural education at the early childhood education level as well as suggestions for early childhood teacher education in the South Korean context.