After-School Extracurricular Activities of Kindergarten Children : Relationships with Daily Stress

유아의 방과후 활동 경험과 일상적 스트레스와의 관계

This study investigated relationships between the after-school extracurricular activities of kindergarten children and their daily stress. The subjects were 380 kindergarten children; they were interviewed regarding the degree of their daily stress. Their mothers completed questionnaires on the children's extracurricular after-school activities. Statistical analysis of the data showed that kindergarteners who participated in extracurricular after-school activities showed a higher degree of daily stress than children who did not. It was concluded that developmental appropriateness of extracurricular activities should be considered, and educational curricular and strategies to help children cope with daily stress due to excessive extracurricular activities should be prepared. Further research on this subject is recommended.