Status of Early Childhood Health Promotion Education and Educational Needs Perceived by Primary Caregivers

Purpose: This study investigated the current status of early childhood health promotion education and educational needs perceived by primary caregivers-namely, parents and childcare teachers.Methods: This study was conducted from September 1 to October 31, 2023 among 154 participants, comprising 77 parents and 77 childcare teachers from 12 daycare centers in Seoul, Korea. Data were analyzed using the x2 test and independent t-test to compare the status and educational needs related to health promotion education for preschool children between the two groups.Results: Childcare teachers participated more frequently in health promotion education and were more aware of the children's involvement in such activities than parents. However, parents expressed greater satisfaction with the education provided. In terms of the need for different strategies, methods, and topics in health promotion education, childcare teachers perceived a greater need, whereas parents showed a preference for a variety of educational media. In terms of educational topics, childcare teachers had higher educational needs than parents on nutrition and diet, vaccination, fire prevention, proper medication use, child abuse, sexual assault prevention, disaster situations and coping, smartphones and health, TV watching, internet gaming, and the use of health promotion facilities.Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest a need to develop a health promotion education program for preschool children in accordance with the educational needs of primary caregivers.