Abstract
This study examines the pedagogical significance of involving kindergarten children in the process of growing rice. Observation records of 91 five-year-old children from 3 cohorts of 2 kindergartens were analyzed in this study. 90 episodes were selected from 4,451 teacher observations and were analyzed using the KJ method. The results revealed five main categories : "the opportunity to experience planting, growing, and harvesting of rice", "awareness of the changes and growth of rice", "awareness of using farming tools", "awareness of the characteristics of rice straw" and "enjoyment of tasting one's own harvested rice". The following meanings were pointed out : 1 ) promoting various emotional experiences, 2 ) evoking various awareness of growing rice, and 3 ) linking their experience to children's lives. Also, other practical challenges were discussed in this study.
