This study aims to seek and implement effective ways to cultivate and nurture character
through history education in a class of five year old children, and to observe the reactions of
children and teachers. This study was conducted in NeulSarang kindergarten, attached to a
university located in Seoul, with 28 five-year-olds under the instruction of two teachers. It was
conducted from December 2013 to May 2014, and the results were analyzed based on the data
collected by performed activities.
The results of this research are as follows. Based on a previously counducted problem
analysis of methods to foster character through history education, the researchers planned and
executed the first implementation. The first implementation session consisted of activities that
develop concepts of history and other activities used to promote the concept of respect through
history education. In the second implementation session, activities were aimed at cultivating the
ability to explore history and increasing the sense of community through history education,
reflecting what had been learned from the first performance evaluation. Through this process,
children learned fundamental history concepts, while showing improvements in respecting
others, expressing love, and harmonizing with others in the class. Teachers recognized the
importance of fostering character through history education and developed teaching skills and
interaction skills through expanding their own knowledge in history. In addition, teachers
changed their own attitudes through self-reflection, as an example for children in terms of
fostering character. This study has a significance in that it suggests the possibility and the
necessity of history education to foster children's character in kindergarten class. In addition,
it shows an educational value of integrating character education and subject matter education.