Perception and Operational Demands of Pre-Service Early Childhood Teachers regarding the Healing Industry: A Comparative Analysis based on Participation Experience and Perception of Healing Programs

This study explored the perceptions and demands of pre-service early childhood teachers regarding the healing industry to examine its potential for effective adoption in early childhood education. To this end, 365 university students enrolled in a four-year early childhood education program in G Metropolitan City participated in the survey through convenience sampling, and the data were analyzed using t-tests and ANOVA. The results revealed several findings. First, while pre-service early childhood teachers exhibited a high awareness of the necessity of the healing industry, they had limited experience with healing programs. Moreover, their understanding of the healing industry was mostly confined to a micro-level concept. Second, the primary demands for operating the healing industry included developing programs linked to the Nuri Curriculum, securing professional healing instructors, obtaining policy and budget support from the central and local governments, and establishing healing spaces. Third, the study identified significant differences in the demands for the healing industry’s operation based on the teachers’ perceptions of its concepts and necessity. The study results will serve as foundational data for designing and establishing tailored healing industry curricula for pre-service early childhood teachers as well as for exploring strategies to enhance the utilization of the healing industry in early childhood education settings.