MCST Launches 'Traditional Sharing Grandfathers' Program to Teach Children About Traditional Culture

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that, starting from August 25 and running until December 12, it will operate a pilot project called "Traditional Sharing Grandfathers" in partnership with the Korea Studies Advancement Center. The program will take place in 132 classrooms nationwide, including daycare centers, kindergartens, and elementary schools, with participation from men aged 56 to 74.

This year marks the first implementation of the Traditional Sharing Grandfathers program, in which older men use their life experiences to teach values to young children and promote traditional culture. Building on the achievements of the existing "Storytelling Grandmothers" program, which has encouraged character education and intergenerational communication, the new initiative expands both the target participants and the scope of activities to include men. The goal is for grandfathers to become teachers who introduce children to traditional games and etiquette, share and enjoy aspects of Korean heritage with them, provide emotional stability, and impart wisdom.

The first generation of traditional sharing grandfathers are receiving education.
[Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]

A total of 44 Traditional Sharing Grandfathers, selected in May through a competitive 4:1 application process and trained through 10 educational sessions, will participate in this pilot program. Starting August 25, they will be dispatched to designated institutions in collaboration with local educational organizations, where they will use prepared lesson plans to teach children about the 24 Solar Terms Game, Seunggyeongdo Game, Sangaji Game, Yutnori, and more, sharing both wisdom and enjoyment.

The 24 Solar Terms Game is a picture-matching activity based on the 24 solar terms, using illustrated cards that represent seasonal changes, agricultural activities, food, and traditional customs. The Seunggyeongdo Game is a traditional board game from the Joseon Dynasty, where players throw wooden dice on a board modeled after government positions, aiming to reach the highest office, similar to modern board games. The Sangaji Game uses wooden sticks (sangaji) as educational tools for children and has evolved into a game that helps develop concentration, cognitive skills, and teamwork.

A policy official from the Ministry stated, "Just as the Storytelling Grandmothers program has become a living textbook for character education and a transmitter of traditional culture over the past 17 years, we expect the Traditional Sharing Grandfathers to pass on a diverse and profound cultural heritage to the next generation. The Ministry will closely analyze the results of this project and strive to expand it nationwide in the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.