영아의 기질에 따른 어린이집 적응의 유형 및 전이 양상: 잠재프로파일분석을 이용하여

Types and Changes in Adjustment Patterns to Childcare Centers Based on Infants’ and Toddlers’ Temperaments: A Latent Profile Analysis

Objective: The objectives of this research are to identify how infants and toddlers adjust to childcare at the beginning of the semester and to explore the effects of their temperament on this adjustment. Methods: Two surveys were conducted with 315 mothers and 134 teachers of infants and toddlers. Data from two rounds of teacher-reported assessments on infants’ and toddlers' adjustment to childcare were analyzed using latent profile analysis(LPA) to examine change patterns and influencing factors. Results: Three types of adjustment to childcare were identified at the beginning of the semester, and two types were identified in the late middle. As the semester progressed, the most common transition was from the intial adaptive type to the later adaptive group. Children’s temperament partially influenced the changes in adjustment patterns among infants and toddlers in childcare centers. Conclusion/Implications: The results of this study indicate that it may be beneficial to take children’s temperaments into account when developing orientation programs with the aim of enhancing their adjustment to childcare.