The Development and Play Behaviors of Children in Low-Income Families

저소득층 아동의 발달과 놀이에 대한 연구

This study investigated developmental levels and explored play behaviors in 194 4- and 5-year-old children from low-income families attending 18 daycare centers in Seoul. The Developmental Test for Korean Kindergartners(Korea Institute Curriculum & Evaluation, 1996) was used to assess developmental levels in seven areas. Play behaviors were observed during free-play in their classrooms. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and $x^2$. Results were that the children from low-income families showed highest scores in motor skill development and the lowest scores in mathematical and scientific development. The children engaged most frequently in group-functional play, followed by onlooker behaviors, group-dramatic, and group-constructive play. Onlooker behaviors were the most frequent activity of the 4-year-olds, and the block corner was the most frequently used area during free-play.