Social Ideology and Early Childhood Education: A Comparative Analysis of Korean Early Childhood Teacher Education Textbooks Written in 1993 and 2003

Analysis of the contents of textbooks is a meaningful way to examine individuals, groups and institutions, as they reflect social values, attention and interests of a society. Education as an institution reflects a society's social ideology, and examination of the sociocultural components of schools can reveal the cultural paradigm upon which a society is based. A content analysis of Korean undergraduate early childhood teacher education social studies textbooks was used to illuminate aspects of social change and dominant sociocultural beliefs in Korea. Specifically, textbooks written in 1993 and 2003 were examined in terms of how the authors treated Korean social concepts and pedagogical expectations of early childhood education, the needs of young children, and the roles of teachers over the two time periods, in light of the socio-historical demands of early childhood education in Korea. The primary focus of the textbook written in 1993 was the social and moral development of children, whereas the 2003 textbook stressed multiculturalism and preparation for living in a cooperative, global society. How the textbook authors' areas of emphases reflected the sociocultural realities and expectations of Korean society at the time they are written is discussed.