A Study on Teaching Model of Creative Imagination for Young Children: Based on the Oriental Mythology

The purpose of this study was to develop a teaching model to improve the creativity, empathy and cooperation skills of young children by increasing the imagination based on Oriental mythology and to help them understand people... [ view full abstract ]

The purpose of this study was to develop a teaching model to improve the creativity, empathy and cooperation skills of young children by increasing the imagination based on Oriental mythology and to help them understand people in around world as well. There is a need for creative talents that can think in various perspectives and solve problems in modern society. Since the abundant imagination of young children becomes the foundation of creative thinking, the researchers developed a teaching model for imagination and human comprehension education based on the Oriental mythology which is the crystallization of imagination.

Most of young children are accustomed to the culturally educational environment using Western contents such as Brother Grimm's fairy tale or Aesop's fable. It is, therefore, necessary to give young children the opportunity to experience the "unfamiliar imagination" that has escaped from the world. In this regard, Oriental mythology, which arranged for meeting with strange characters reproduced through literary imagination, can be an alternative to experience oriental imagination and cultural diversity for young children familiar with Disney cartoon and animation.

In order to develop this model, the oldest and representative Oriental mythology in China, Shanhai, which means ‘mountain and sea’, was used as basic data of class activities. The mountains are filled with strange and wonderful people who cannot face reality. For the purpose of the study, it was developed a 12 - week classroom activity model for 5 - year - old young children using the mythology. The program was designed to play extended activities for young children after each story-telling. In conclusion, expanding and transforming educational texts to oriental mythology is not only influential on imagination stimulation of young children but also meaningful in terms of cultural balance and rediscovery of Orient.