사물의 물에 뜨거나 가라앉는 현상에 관한 4,5,6세 유아의 분류준거 및 준거 적용의 논리적 일관성 = Young Children`s Causal Explanations for Floating or Sinking Objects and the Logical Consistency of Their Applications

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study examines causal explanations given by 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old children for `floating or sinking` objects and the logical consistency of their applications. Sixty-one children were randomly selected from 2 kindergartens and 2 daycare centers located in Seoul, Korea. The children were asked to classify 21 selected objects according to whether or not they were `floating or sinking` items. In addition, they were asked to give the reasons for their classifications. The results reveal that young children have unique thinking characteristics including dynamism and logical inconsistency. A significant difference in causal explanations occurred by age, and specifically between age 4 and age 5, 6. The categories that showed differences were `weight`, `prior experience`, and `material`, with the 5- and 6-year olds` giving more responses than those of the 4-year olds. There were no significant differences attributable to age in logical inconsistency. However, a significant difference by age was found in dynamism, with the 5- and 6-year olds` proffering more responses than those of the 4-year olds. The correlation was also significant between dynamism and logical inconsistency. On the basis of this study`s findings, the researchers suggest implications for early childhood science education with specific focus on `float or sink?` activities.