The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education announced Thursday that it will operate a group counseling program to provide early support for emotional and psychological issues among young children.
Introduced for the first time this year, the program was designed to address a shortage of counseling programs tailored to early childhood developmental stages. It also reflects the reality that growing numbers of smaller classes have reduced opportunities for peer interaction. The move comes as the need for systematic support has grown for children struggling to form relationships while adjusting to kindergarten.
The counseling will run through August, targeting 21 classes selected through prior applications. Professional sand play therapists will visit kindergartens in person to conduct group counseling sessions with four to five children at a time. Sessions will be held once a week for 40 minutes each, totaling four sessions, providing emotional stability support tailored to each child's developmental level.
After the counseling concludes, therapists and homeroom teachers will collaborate to share information on each child's emotional and behavioral characteristics. This ensures the support does not remain a one-time effort but enables continuous management connected to the educational setting.
"With a growing number of young children experiencing difficulties in peer relationships and emotional well-being, we expect this counseling program to provide meaningful help," Busan Superintendent of Education Kim Seok-jun said. "We will continue to expand customized support for young children going forward."