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영어

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this grounded theory study is to understand and explain how the beliefs and experiences of Korean Christian kindergarten or childcare center teachers influence the way they nurture young children’s spirituality in the classroom. Research Methods and Content: This study employed grounded theory to explore how Korean Christian kindergarten or childcare center teachers nurture young children’s spirituality (YCS). Sixteen participants were selected from three Christian institutions. Data from interviews, observations, and documents were analyzed using Charmaz’s coding process. Following Charmaz’s grounded theory coding stages?initial, focused, and theoretical?the data were analyzed to construct a theory grounded in participants’ lived experiences. In addition, research validity was ensured through triangulation and ethical safeguards. The study explores how Korean Christian kindergarten and childcare teachers understand and nurture young children’s spirituality (YCS), viewing it as a relational experience of meeting God. It examines how teachers’ personal faith, educational background, and current teaching context influence their spiritual practices in the classroom. These include worship, prayer, teaching God’s Word, character development, and fostering a sense of community. Using a grounded theory approach, the study reveals that spiritual formation of young children is deeply contextual and relational, highlighting the importance of integrating Christian values into daily classroom life. Conclusion and Suggestions: The study concludes that teachers’ personal faith, past experiences, current church involvement, and institutional context significantly influence how they nurture young children’s spirituality (YCS), which they understand as a relational encounter with God. Their practices include worship, prayer, biblical teaching, and character development. Based on these findings, the study recommends the development of a Christian-integrated curriculum, supportive leadership, teacher spiritual formation, and a deeper understanding of Korean cultural influences to effectively nurture YCS within early childhood education settings.