Climate change literacy and perception on climate change education according to early childhood teacher’s background variables

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate climate change literacy and perception on climate change education according to early childhood teachers’ background variables. Methods This study conducted survey research targeting at 256 early childhood teachers in Gwangju metropolitan city and JeollaNamdo from July 10 to August 18, 2023. Data were analyzed using frequency analysis, descriptive statistic analysis, one-way ANOVA, and χ2 test. Results There were significant differences in all of the sub-factors of early childhood teachers’ climate change literacy including climate change perception, climate change knowledge, and climate change attitude, according to teacher’s background variables. Early childhood teachers’ perception on climate change education also differed significantly according to teacher’s background variables. In particular, significant differences were noticeable depending on the type of working institution and whether or not to take climate change classes, such as the well-equipped climate change literacy of teachers at national and public kindergartens as well as teachers taking climate change classes. This suggests that in order for climate change education to be actively conducted, it is important for early childhood teachers to acquire knowledge and information about climate change. Conclusions This study is meaningful in providing basic data for the development of climate change teacher education programs by investigating climate change literacy and perception on climate change education according to early childhood teachers’ background variables.