The change and the subject of disaster prevention education in kindergartens and nursery schools after the earthquake : Survey results on educational content changes before and after the Great East Japan Earthquake and the children’s reactions

摘要

Children in disaster-affected areas who fear disaster prevention training, such as evacuation drills, have been identified in multiple studies after the occurrence of a major earthquake. The present study examines the effect of disaster prevention education on children in area near of the affected areas by the Great East Japan Earthquake and area away from the disaster area to determine the necessity of psychological consideration. The results of the study indicate that psychological consideration following the Great East Japan Earthquake was not given to children in nurseries, and measures such as reducing the number of disaster training drills were not taken regardless of the distance from the affected areas. Furthermore, few nurseries increased the number of disaster training drills or changed the method of announcing drills. Meanwhile, the Great East Japan Earthquake was addressed during disaster prevention training in more than 70% of nurseries not only in area near of the disaster area but also in area away from the disaster area, and the discussion of this topic increased the fear of earthquakes. Finally, regardless of the distance from the affected areas, more than 20% of nursery teachers reported that some children in their class demonstrated excessive fear and anxiety during disaster prevention education following the Great East Japan Earthquake.