유아기 행복감 증진 방안

Abstract

UN released the World Happiness Report in 2013, and Korean government is recently planning for Child Happiness Plan as a part of the Second Mid/Long-Term Childcare Plan(2015-2019), evolved from Child Love Plan. These initiatives show attention on children's happiness in children policies in Korea as well as those worldwide. Hence, this study intends to identify level of feeling of happiness in early childhood among children, analyze relationship of such finding with happiness-related factors through parents and teachers (field professionals), and propose enhancement measures for feeling of happiness in early childhood. This study deals with a concept of feeling of happiness, analyzes happiness indicators and happiness index used in Korea and other countries to identify common elements. Then, it investigates level of happiness of Korean children based on these indicators and current policies for enhancing children's happiness. Also, it intends to propose enhancement measures for children's happiness by identifying level of happiness in early childhood and analyzing its relationship with other factors. For this, we searched for data from Korea and other countries, conducted a literature research, performed a survey among 1,000 children and mothers. Furthermore, 941 teachers and field professionals were invited to share their opinions on children's happiness. In addition, advisory meetings, discussion meetings, and intensive interviews were carried out by involving researchers and specialists on happiness research.

To sum up the study outcome, children rated their happiness as 3.6 out of 4.0 point, and mothers gave 3.3 point. Meanwhile, teachers and field professionals rated children's happiness as average 2.88 point and future happiness as 2.79 point. Children's happiness showed positive relationship with level of family wealth, experience of cultural or leisure activities, and experience of childcare and education institutions. Also, children's happiness was affected and in a high relationship with family and interpersonal relations. Specifically, children answered sports and leisure activities or play time were happier experiences than other activities, and they were happy at times with their parents. As for things that parents should work on more to enhance children's happiness, spending time with children, and respecting and praising their children were suggested; for institutions, respecting and accepting children, and providing free activity and physical activity were listed. Lastly, as for policy to enhance children's happiness, improving quality of institutions, complying with reasonable work hours to take care children, expanding cultural/leisure facilities focused on children and families, and building a safe local community environment were suggested. Based on these research outcomes, the following policy proposals are recommended. First, there needs more care by parents at home, other than at institutions, for a balanced nurturing. Second, social efforts are necessary to secure close family time. Third, children's happiness should be enhanced by raising family happiness through customized support fit to diverse family needs. Fourth, low-income family supporting services should be adjusted to the demands from the field. Fifth, support from transmission system of low-income service should be strengthened to build internal stability of low-income services. Sixth, nationwide PR and campaign should be carried out to provide information on family and parent education.