본 연구는 어린이집 현장에서 영아 보육이 실제로 어떻게 이루어지고 있는지를 참여관찰을 통해 살펴봄으로써 어린이집에서 영아 보육이 어떠한 의미를 갖는지를 밝히고자 하였다. 연구는 서울시에 위치한 직장 어린이집의 만 1세반 영아들을 대상으로 실시되었으며, 연구 기간은 2005년 10월 6일부터 2006년 5월 15일까지로 이 기간 동안 총 46회의 참여관찰이 이루어졌다. 어린이집에서의 영아 보육은 영아를 신체적, 정서적으로 보살펴주는 것과 영아의 발달을 도모하여 지도하고 가르치는 것으로 나누어 볼 수 있었다. 교사가 영아를 잘 보살피고 가르치려는 노력은 영아 개개인의 발달적 의미로서 자조 능력, 자기 조절 능력, 자율성, 기초 학습 능력을 발달시키는데 교사의 보육 행위가 영향을 미쳤다는 것을 알 수 있다. 더하여 타인들과 좋은 관계를 맺고 배려하는 태도와 능력을 키우도록 하는 데 의미 있는 영향을 미쳤음을 알 수 있다. 영아 보육은 애정적인 보살핌뿐만 아니라 교육적인 가르침도 함께 그 중요성을 가진다.

The purpose of this study is to understand the meaning of infant and toddler care at the day care center by investigating the characteristics of the teachers' infant and toddler care at the day care center. It also intends to understand how the teachers' caring give effect to the infants and toddlers. For this study, the researcher selected the one year old class being taken care of at the day care center of a company in Seoul. From Oct. 6, 2005 to May 15, 2006, a total of 46 participant observations of the infants and toddlers was conducted. In conclusion, teachers' care for infants and toddlers at the day care center was categorized into caring and teaching. Teachers' positive attitude toward infants and toddlers contributed to the stable and comfortable life to the infants and toddlers. Teachers' strict attitude helped the infants and toddlers develop the basic elements of social life, teaching them the importance of orders. Teachers' care at the day care center influenced on the development of self-reliance and positive concept of self. These results further became the basis for the infants and toddlers in showing positive attitude toward other situations. Infants and toddlers could develop self-regulation capability through their activities and life at the day care center. They at the day care center were happy with new things and activities, played well with their friends, showed interest in the changes and tried to work by themselves. It is believed that teachers' care and teaching for the infants and toddlers should root on the love of infants and toddlers, and teachers need to better understand about the infants and toddlers.

The purpose of this study is to understand the meaning of infant and toddler care at the day care center by investigating the characteristics of the teachers' infant and toddler care at the day care center. It also intends to understand how the teachers' caring give effect to the infants and toddlers. For this study, the researcher selected the one year old class being taken care of at the day care center of a company in Seoul. From Oct. 6, 2005 to May 15, 2006, a total of 46 participant observations of the infants and toddlers was conducted. In conclusion, teachers' care for infants and toddlers at the day care center was categorized into caring and teaching. Teachers' positive attitude toward infants and toddlers contributed to the stable and comfortable life to the infants and toddlers. Teachers' strict attitude helped the infants and toddlers develop the basic elements of social life, teaching them the importance of orders. Teachers' care at the day care center influenced on the development of self-reliance and positive concept of self. These results further became the basis for the infants and toddlers in showing positive attitude toward other situations. Infants and toddlers could develop self-regulation capability through their activities and life at the day care center. They at the day care center were happy with new things and activities, played well with their friends, showed interest in the changes and tried to work by themselves. It is believed that teachers' care and teaching for the infants and toddlers should root on the love of infants and toddlers, and teachers need to better understand about the infants and toddlers.

day care center, infant and toddler care, caring, teaching