The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers’ perception and current state of
creativity and character education in young children attending kindergarten and child care
center. The subjects in this study were 245 teachers of kindergarten and child care center
located at four major cities in Korea. The questionnaires consisted of 34 questions on
teachers’ perception of needs, factors, and limitations of early childhood creativity and
character education, current state of education time and educational activities,
family-involved education method and contents, etc.
The results of this study showed teachers’ perception with regard to the interest and need
of creativity and character education was very high. But their understanding and satisfaction
with the execution of the actual creativity and character education has been found to be
relatively low. Second, creativity and character education was running on 1-2 times per
week in their institution. Moreover, creativity education activities carried out by the
teachers were music and fine arts, block building activities, physical expression activities, etc.
Activities of character education conduct were collaborative learning, examples in good
words and deeds of teachers, role playing, and family-involved education. Third, teachers
perceived the need of family involved education highly. Educational method for parents
presented teachers’ letters and single-session special lectures for parents. Also, the parents
educational program included parents’ emotional support and acceptance attitude, creativity
and character educational method and educational environment. This study can be used as
the basis for educational guidelines and practice of early childhood education for activating
creativity and character education.