KaiSook Chung

The Variables Related to Maternal Happiness for Mothers of Young Children, School-Aged Children, and Adolescents : A Child`s Age, the Numbers of Children, and Maternal Perceptions of the Conditions of Happiness

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a child`s demographic variables and maternal perceptions of the conditions of happiness on their happiness for mothers. The participants of this study comprised 916 mothers of young children, school-aged children, and adolescents. The results revealed that a child`s age and the numbers of children influenced maternal happiness when mothers` demographic variables were controlled. In addition, mothers who exhibited high degree of need in terms of the conditions of happiness regarding existence, relatedness, and growth were more likely to be happy than mothers who exhibited low degree of needs. Finally, the expectations regarding growth, which refers to the pursuit of self-accomplishment and meaning, was the most important predictor of maternal happiness. These findings have implications for parent education programs for mothers of young children, school-aged children, and adolescents.

Children’s and Adolescents’ Perceptions of Happiness

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences of the perceptions and conditions of happiness between children and adolescents, and also of the perceptions of happiness according to their needs level of the conditions of happiness. There was a total of 649 participants, of which 405 were children and 244 were adolescents, all of whom were attending elementary school, middle school, or high school. The children and adolescents completed a questionnaire on the perceptions of happiness and the conditions of happiness which consisted of 57 (for children) or 58 (for adolescents) items. The results were as follows: First, children and adolescents both felt happy regarding the variables of `flow`, `health and appearance`, `leisure` and `interpersonal relations`. However, it was found that children felt happier than adolescents. Second, children and adolescents perceived achievement-related variables as important conditions of happiness. Additionally, variables of `relations with parents and relatives` and `positive emotions` were the conditions that children needed. However, adolescents rated the needs of the conditions of happiness higher than children. Lastly, children and adolescent groups who perceived the necessity of the conditions of happiness at a high level were found to be happier than those who perceived the necessity of the conditions of happiness at a low level. The findings have implications of providing educational, psychological and environmental support to improve the happiness of children and adolescents.

Teachers` Perceptions and Practices in the Early Childhood Classroom The Implementation of Multicultural Education

The purpose of this study is to discuss current problems and the directionality of multicultural education by examining the perceptions of teachers regarding the implementation of multicultural education and the actual practice of it within early childhood classroom. The study participants included a total of 7 teachers and 41 young children (3 children from multicultural families). Data were gathered by in-depth interviews with 7 teachers and non-participant observations in two classrooms. The results of our examination of teachers` perceptions of multicultural education were as follows. It is addressed only when there are children from multicultural families present in the classroom. Furthermore, it is only addressed in terms of specific life themes, and it requires external supporting instruction and resources because it is difficult to implement multicultural education by most teachers. The current practice of multicultural education is being addressed through an assimilative approach. It was also clear that teachers respond ambivalently to the issue of cultural particularity in children from multicultural families and use an individualized educational approach situated within the cultural deficit model. etc. Based on these results, the implications and limitations were also discussed.

An Analysis of the Archetypical Symbols of Children`s Performance with Water During Sandplay Therapy

The purpose of this study was to understand the archetypical symbols present when conducting sandplay therapy with water from a hermeneutic point of view. The research participants were 6 children aged 8~9 who experienced problems in parent-children relationships. The result were as follows : The nature of archetypical symbols of present when working with water can be structured along two themes, vertical movements and horizontal movements. In vertical movements with three sub-themes, the meaning of `to put in and boil out` is interpreted as `mother`s feeding baby`, the meaning of `to sink and bring out of water` is interpreted as `resource acquisition`, `to swamp and float on the water` represents `death and rebirth`. In horizontal movements consisted of two sub- themes, the meaning of `to be swept away` is interpreted as `initiation and conversion`, the meaning of `to wave and fix` is interpreted as `to overcome the difficulties and create stability`.

An Inquiry into Typically Developing Children`s Interaction Strategies with Young Children with ADHD According to Gender

The purpose of this study was to examine the interaction strategies used by typically developing boys and girls in their dealings with young children with ADHD in free play situations in inclusive classes. This was done in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the meaning of their interaction strategies. The subjects were 52 typically developing children (comprising 27 boys, 25 girls) and 3 young children with ADHD. The findings were as follows : First, the overall frequency of interaction strategies with the young children with ADHD was greater among the young female children (n