Comparative analysis of the 2019 revised Nuri curriculum and the Japanese kindergarten curriculum

Objectives The purpose of this study was to deepen the understanding of the curriculum and gain implications for improving the next Nuri curriculum by comparing and analyzing the 2019 revised Nuri curriculum and and the Japanese kindergarten curriculum by the composition system, objectives and goals, and educational contents of each area. Methods The subjects of analysis were the 2019 revised Nuri curriculum in Korea, 2017 revised kindergarten curriculum in Japan, and their commentaries. The analysis method was a content analysis method, which compared and analyzed the similarities and differences in the composition system, objectives and goal, and five areas’s educational contents of the curriculum of the two countries. Results First, although the structure of the 2019 revised Nuri curriculum and the Japanese kindergarten curriculum differs in the composition of items, they are generally similar and reflect the national and social needs of each country. Second, both curricula aim to live a healthy, independent, sensitive, and together life for the purpose of healthy development of individuals and forming social members. The 2019 revised Nuri curriculum had a strong personal and social aspect, and the Japanese kindergarten curriculum had a strong social aspect. Third, the names of the two curricula are different, but they consist of five areas with similar content, and the contents of each area are common in that they are slimmed, and the contents of each area are composed to reflect the special needs of each country. Although the educational content of the 2019 revised Nuri curriculum had more emotional aspects than the previous curriculum, the Japanese kindergarten curriculum presented more statements related to play and enjoyment. Conclusions The results of this study can contribute to the promotion of early childhood teachers' literacy for the 2019 revised Nuri curriculum, and can be used as reference materials when developing the next early Nuri curriculum.