# Teachers Perceptions on Early Childhood's Traffic and Life Safety Education Program Using VR
## 1 Introduction
VR is a human-computer interface (HCI) technology that uses computer software to create a virtual space similar to the real space and allows the user to interact with objects in the space as if they were real [17]. Learning through a wide range of educational multimedia, including VR educational media enables learners to interact with it and arouse their curiosity and interest, which promotes self-directed learning. Since the 2000s, research has been conducted to explore the pedagogical effects of ICT media for infants rather than the controversies over the use of ICT media in education, and therefore, the perception of ICT media has changed positively. The need for a learning method that can utilize content suitable for early childhood development has been raised [18]. Furthermore, since the late 2000s, with the expansion of ICT media distribution in early childhood education, studies on the development and application of educational programs that use ICT media have been actively conducted. VR can express realistic visual and auditory stimuli, and the artificial world can be perceived as if it were real. With the concept of remote presence, learners exist in a virtual place and can experience it [19; 20]. Educational media using VR also have the advantage of multimedia. In a multimedia teaching-learning environment, the virtual simulation program helps to increase the learning effect by increasing the learner's indirect experience, or stimulate the sensory organs such as sight and hearing using graphics, video, sound, etc. The purpose of VR-based experience for safety education content learning effect is to learn how to solve problems so that learners can experience a situation similar to reality. Learners can cope with and use it in a real situation. VR safety education activities are more effective than the existing education. The use of VR has effects such as removing risk factors from the educational field and increasing the sense of cooperation; therefore, the use of VR-based tangible safety education content is increasing. It is classified into two technologies at the development status of VR technology for early childhood: VR HMD (Head-Mounted Device) and VR contents. VR HMD for early childhood was not developed because marketability was not guaranteed, and most of them were developed for adults. Separate devices for children are not manufactured. Most VR HMD manufacturers' products include warnings about age restrictions. In Korea, the government's position on using VR devices for children is ambiguous, so it is not recommended and not activated. The minimum age limit for the Meta Quest Pro, released in October 2022, is 14 years old. Additionally, contents for children's VR are being developed in all areas of education, and these 3D contents are being introduced and utilized in AR/MR. The use of smart devices as educational tools is increasing. In other words, using VR programs that can provide pleasure, children are approached through play, and life safety education focuses on experiences. Even group education can be conducted as an individual activity. In South Korea, a VR safety education program for early childhood has recently been developed and applied. However, no research has been conducted on the actual status of teachers' perceptions of safety education for early childhood and the analysis of the effects of VR safety education. Therefore, through this study, we intend to conduct research on VR safety education programs for early childhood. It is necessary to expand the scope of safety assurance by implementing education using VR programs so that children can protect themselves from danger and act accordingly. In this study, as a method of safety education for young children, safety education will be implemented using VR based on virtual reality, and the preferred VR safety education method. Unlike textbooks or web-based education, which provide information based on text and images, it provides a more three-dimensional educational environment and has various educational advantages.