Abstract
This study focuses on how nursery school teachers deal with the developmental characteristics of 1—
and 2—year—olds. The objective is to clarify when the nursery school teachers experience hesitation and
distress in dealing with the developmental characteristics of 1— and 2—year—olds in providing excretion
assistance and the solution to the challenge. In this study, 2 cases in which nursery school teachers face
situations wherein toddlers 1.5 years to 2 years manifest dislike for diaper change will be considered.
As a result, regarding hesitation and distress of nursery school teachers＂, hesitation and distress arising
from respect that child caregivers who have the intention of providing childcare have for the identity
of toddlers＂and＂hesitation and distress which arise in the process of the nursery school teachers
endeavoring to fulfill their role as nursery school teachers in charge＂were identified. These feelings occurred because of nursery school teachers＇faith in the present development of toddlers and hope for their next development as ones who have the intention of providing childcare. With respect to the solution process of nursery school teachers＂, solution process through cooperation as expressed through collegiality among nursery school teachers＂and＂solution process in choosing priorities when forced to deal simultaneously with one toddler or another＂were identified. It was considered of primary importance that nursery school teachers, as ones having the intention of childcare, should respect the identity of the toddlers based on the foundation of＂toddlers taking action after convincing themselves＂and to face their present feelings with care.
