영아기 자녀와의 신체동작 놀이가 아버지 되기 경험에 주는 의미 탐구: G 영유아 놀이교육기관 경험을 중심으로

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate how the aspect of body movement play appears between father and infant child and explore the significance of the results on being a father. Methods: The G play education institute which specializes in having parents participate in infant play education, was selected as the study site, six fathers with their first infant child who signed up at the G play education institute were selected as study participants. In-depth interviews and participant observation were conducted for three months from September to November 2016. Results: The body movements plays of the fathers with their infant child were categorized into 'body-limited play', 'gender role-limited play', 'play transmitted over the generations', and 'burdensome play'. In analyzing the significance of body movement play with an infant child to the experience of a man transitioning into a father figure, the following were shown to be significant: 'relationship building through body interaction', 'a transition from my individual self into a father figure', 'being born again to a mature father', and 'adding family happiness through body movement play'. Conclusion: The results showed that body movement play between the father and the child, which is being emphasized and re-highlighted as a representative parenting form of fathers helped in relationship building, enhancing parenting capability, fostering parents’ capability of ensuring the child’s growth and development as well as encouraging growth and adulthood development during the turning point that is fatherhood. It also implies that fathers contribute to family happiness through their self-reflection and growth.