유아의 실내놀이행동 군집에 따른 예측변인 연구

Objective: This study aimed to examine the predictors of indoor play behaviors using cluster analyses. Methods: Data from 963 children (age 4 years) who participated in the 5th phase of the Panel Study of Korean Children, their parents, and their teachers were analyzed using K-means clustering analyses, F-tests and multinomial logistic regression analyses. Results: The clustering analyses revealed three distinctive profiles: positive-theme oriented, general-exploratory/manipulative, and negative-exploratory/manipulative groups. Child characteristics, including cognition, language, and social level, and teachers’ age were significantly associated with the groups in a different way; the clusters were partially different in the gender and creativity of children, interaction level of teachers`` interaction, classroom environment, and program types that children attended. Conclusion: Findings revealed three clusters of play behaviors and highlighted the importance of the ecological variables that determined the clusters.