A Study on Climate Change Perception and Response Behavior Practice According to Individual Variables of Childcare Staff

Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyze the perceptions of climate change and the behavioral responses of childcare staff responsible for conducting climate change education for preschoolers in daycare centers.Methods: A survey was conducted via Google Forms with 281 childcare staff members from Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon between June 10 and 22, 2024. The collected data were analyzed using frequencies, percentage, means, and standard deviation. Univariate analysis (ANOVA) and Scheffé post hoc tests were performed using SPSS 28.0 to examine differences based on individual variables such as age, rank, academic background, region and so on.Results: The overall perception among childcare staff regarding climate change was found to be relatively high. Although academic background did not show a statistically significant difference in climate change perception, higher levels of awareness were observed among older teachers, those with higher ranks, and those working in Seoul and Gyeonggi regions. Furthermore, most childcare staffs reported engaging in basic eco-friendly practices such as recycling garbage and turning off lights, However, they showed lower levels of engagement in areas such as sustainable eating habits and the use of public transportation. Additionally, there were significant regional differences in the level of behavioral practice, indicating that location may influence environmental behavior.Conclusion: Overall, childcare staff demonstrated strong awareness of climate change issues. However, their practical engagement was relatively limited in specific areas. These findings suggest the need for tailored training programs and targeted climate-change education initiatives in daycare centers to promote more comprehensive behavioral change.