A case study on the teachers’ dietary guidance method of 2-year-old toddlers in childcare centers

Objectives This study analyzed the teachers’ dietary guidance method for 2-year-old toddlers in childcare centers. Methods This study used a case study method, one of the qualitative research methods. Research participants were composed of 30 toddlers and 4 teachers in the faith class, hope class and love class for 2-year-olds. Data collection were conducted by participant observation. Results Research results were as follows. The teachers’ dietary guidance methods for 2-year-old toddlers are recommending, providing compliments, explaining, helping, modeling, and withholding. Recommending and explaining are dietary guidance method using language. Helping and modeling are guidance method to help or demonstrate by directly intervening in the toddlers’ dietary situation. Reservation is a guidance method that considers individual differences and development levels of two-year-old toddlers. Conclusions This study is meaningful in that it examined the dietary guidance method of teachers by observing the actual educational site where dietary guidance takes place between teachers and toddlers. Also this study is meaningful in proposing educational implications based on teachers’ dietary guidance method.