This study aims to discover the influence of problem-solving discussion through the use of an old children’s story on children’s self-esteem and the ability to take perspective. To this aim, the study introduced the following questions.
1. What is...
This study aims to discover the influence of problem-solving discussion through the use of an old children’s story on children’s self-esteem and the ability to take perspective. To this aim, the study introduced the following questions.
1. What is the influence of problem-solving discussion through the use of
an old children’s story on children’s self-esteem?
2. What is the influence of problem-solving discussion through the use of an old children’s story on children’s the ability to take perspective?
This study selected two classrooms composed of children aged 5 years old in the H kindergarten located in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju. Then, the study randomly organized a test group (boys: 17, girls: 11) and a comparison group (boys: 16, girls: 12); a total of 56 children participated in the study. The study had children in the test group participate in problem-solving discussion after reading an old children’s story to them, and had children in the comparison group share general stories after reading an old children’s story to them. This experimental process was conducted twice a week for 8 weeks, which totaled 16 times.
In order to measure the children’s self-esteem, the study employed the self-esteem measure for children developed by Harter & Pike (1984), and then modified and supplemented by Kim, Young-Sook (1997), and to measure perspective-taking ability, the study used a perspective-taking ability test tool modified and supplemented by Shin, Hyeon-Ok (1996) based on research by Hudson, Forman, and Brion (1982). As a result of conducting a pretest to discover the homogeneity between children in the test group and one in the comparison group, there was no significant difference both in self-esteem and perspective-taking ability between the two groups, and the groups were deemed homogenous. Also, in order to determine the influence of problem-solving discussion through the use of the old children’s story on children’s self-esteem and perspective-taking ability, the study conducted a t-test and made an analysis by using the SPSS statistics program for collected data after a pretest and a post test between the groups.
The findings of the study include the following.
First, the test group that performed the problem-solving discussion through the use of the old children’s story showed a more significantly improved score in self-esteem than the comparison group. In cognitive
ability, peer acceptance, and self-acceptance, which are sub-areas of self-esteem, the test group was shown to post more improved scores in all areas when compared to the comparison group. However, there was no statistically significant difference in physical ability and mother acceptance between the two groups, although the test group posted a higher score than the comparison group.
Second, it was found that the test group that performed the problem-solving discussion through the use of the old children’s story showed a more significantly improved score in perspective-taking ability than the comparison group. As regards intentions towards others, thinking of others, and emotion concerning others which are sub-areas of self-esteem, the test group was shown to post more improved scores in all areas than the comparison group, and this difference was statistically significant.
In conclusion, a problem-solving discussion through the use of an old children’s story was found more effective for improving children’s self-esteem and perspective-taking ability than general talking. Therefore, the results imply that a problem-solving discussion through the use of an old children’s story is worth being applied to the field of children’s education as an appropriate and meaningful teaching method for enhancing children’s self-esteem and perspective-taking ability.