The purpose of this study was to analyze child/teacher behavioral changes according to variation in the number of teacher and child in the classroom. To identify the concrete factors of child’s and teacher’s behavioral changes, class structure var...
The purpose of this study was to analyze child/teacher behavioral changes according to variation in the number of teacher and child in the classroom. To identify the concrete factors of child’s and teacher’s behavioral changes, class structure variance were divide into three cases: (1) the number of teachers in class,(2)teacher: child ratio, (3) class size. In each case child’s behaviors were observed in three categories: aggressive/nonaggressive behavior, task participation degree and types, and social grouping pattern. At the same time the teacher’s behaviors were observed in terms of the pattern of behavior and language.
The subject kindergartens were similar in their program, their class size and physical environment, and their daily schedule. The ratios of teacher to child were 1:30, 2:30, 1:40 and 2:40.
The child’s behaviors were observed just during 15 days(91.10.7~91.11.2) at free play activity period by 4 observers. The observation method was 1-minute observation, which was followed by 30-second recording. The most frequent behavior of the child observed during 1 minute was checked.
The teacher’s behaviors were observed just during two weeks(91.10.7~91.11.2) at free play activity period by 6 observers. There were two observers to observe the two teachers at once in 2-teacher class. The observation method was the same as in child’s case. When the teacher’s behavior was ambiguous, the method of 1’30” observation and 30-second record was adopted. The language used for teacher-child interaction were recorded.
The data collected in the child’s and teacher’s behaviors were analyzed, according to class structure variance, into frequency, percentage in each observation category, and then behavioral characteristics in each group are brought about through x^2 test.
The results are as follows.
1. Child’s behavior
Child’s behaviors are observed in three main categories in each case.
First, in the case of aggressive/nonaggressive behavior, children of 40-child, I-teacher, and 1:40-ratio class were more aggressive than those of 30-child, 2-teacher, and 1:30-ratio class.
Second, in the case of task participation and degree, children of 30-child, 2-teacher, and 1:30-ratio class showed more active participation and purposeful activities whereas those of 40-child, I-teacher, and 1:40-ratio class showed nonparticipation, nonpurposeful and wandering behaviors.
Third, in the case of social grouping pattern, 40-child-class children were more participated in group play than 30-child-class children. Children of 30-child, I-teacher class more often did play with teacher than those of 40-child, 2-teacher. 1:30-ratio-class children more often did play with teacher and less participated in group play than those of 1:40-ratio class.
2. Teacher’s behavior
Teacher’s behaviors are observed in two categories in each case.
First, in the case of behavior pattern, teachers of 40-child, 1:40-ratio, and I-teacher class showed the more demonstration, control×instruction, criticism×punishment, non-reaction and onlooker behavior, whereas those of 30-child, 1:30-ratio, and 2-teacher class showed the more permissiveness, approval, physical contact, helpful and person-to-person communicative behaviors.
Second, in the case of language pattern, teachers of 30-child, 1:30-ratio, and 2-teacher class used the more communicative comment and reactive language pattern, whild those of 40-child, 1:40-ratio, and I-teacher class used simple comment and non-linguistic reaction.