In this study a reading program was developed in order to improve the self-esteem
and sociability of multi-cultural children and to relieve their anxiety by applying the
reading therapy theory. A program of 20 sessions was conducted four times a week
during four weeks.
The subjects in this study were 24 multi-cultural children, in the age of 7-10, in
a rural community in South Gyeongsang Province, 12 children were organized into an
experimental group and a control group and repeated- measure ANOVA was
practiced to them.
The findings of the study were as follows:
First, the quantitative analysis about the effects of the program showed that it
increased their elf-esteem and sociability and decreased their anxiety. The
experimental group showed a significant improvement in self-esteem and sociability
after the program was provided, and the effects turned out to maintain its effects
significantly. Also, the experimental group showed a significant reduction in anxiety,
and the effects turned out to remain the same in the retention test.
Secondly, the qualitative analysis showed that the participating children were
changed in the positive way. Listening to fairy tales, the children could get insight by
applying the contents of the fairy tale to themselves. Besides, rapport building
through interaction with the children before and during the program was identified as
one of integral factors to raise the effects of the program.