This paper reports significant findings from an exploratory investigation of factors influencing kindergarten teachers’ perceptions of holistic early childhood education (HECE) following the release of a recent policy document relating to Early Childhood Education by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. A comprehensive four-page survey questionnaire was completed by 165 teachers, in 22 Kindergartens across three Districts in Hong Kong. The questionnaire sought responses on demographics (including spiritual well-being); six aspects of ECE detailed in the HKSAR document; teachers’ expectations of HECE; and their perceptions of parental involvement in their young children’s development. This study revealed that kindergarten teachers’ spiritual well-being was a key demographic factor contributing to their expectations of holistic early childhood education. Copyright © 2022 Informa UK Limited.

本文為探究中港澳臺幼兒教育之多元文化圖像，透過課綱的文本與論述分析，理解其與社會脈絡之連結，且輔以批判視角，嘗試探究課綱中可見與不可見，與4地多元文化教育發展的各自論述。本文分析的文本為中國、香港、澳門與臺灣4地由官方正式公布，且目前使用中的學前課綱。研究結果發現，整體圖像共通性部分，呼應全球化的多元文化教育精神，宣稱不因各種文化背景產生學習偏見與落差的均等追求；其次，在社會領域呈現與多元文化相關的具體目標，豐富幼兒多元文化經驗，同時強調幼兒的自我認同；最後搭配統整與結合生活經驗的教學方法來實踐多元文化教育。在個別圖像獨特性部分，中國側重國族文化與國家團結之認同；香港強調多元族群背景共融的需求與具體作法；澳門凸顯在地與中國連結的文化論述；臺灣重視多元文化各類議題與性別平等意識。 Copyright ©2021 國家教育研究院.

Infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) learn what it means to be members of, and to belong to and be accepted by, their societies by adopting behaviors, attitudes, manners, and ways of thinking that are deeply rooted in what is valued in their culture. Infant and toddler teachers play a pivotal role as transmitters and maintainers of culture when they make decisions about the curriculum, engage in caregiving interactions, make pedagogical decisions, and use language. Cultural meanings ascribed to teachers’ practices in 1-year-old care in the United States and Hong Kong were examined using video data and transcripts of video-elicited focus group discussions. Three important areas in which cultural transmission differed between the United States and Hong Kong relate to: egalitarian versus hierarchical societal structure; individualism versus collectivism; and different goals for independence. Social learning theory and ecological systems theory framed this study and informed interpretation of results. Copyright © 2021 Taylor & Francis Inc.

The discourse around combining local, national and international languages constitutes an important issue in the global education agenda (Kirkpatrick and Chau 2008). Ideas about how trilingual education ought to be designed and implemented vary across stakeholders. This study explores (1) the beliefs which early childhood education (ECE – ECE refers to teaching of young children up to the age of six) principals, teachers and parents exhibit about trilingual preschool education in Hong Kong; (2) the challenges in the trilingual preschool implementation processes, and (3) the mechanisms employed by ECE principals for coping with these challenges. Semi-structured interviews and observations were conducted to collect data from four preschools, and these were supplemented with documentary analysis. Findings indicate that the inconsistent beliefs among stakeholders about the aims of trilingual education and language choice, curriculum design, and instruction (pedagogy and activities) in trilingual preschools are the major challenge administrators-principals encountered impacting the implementation process. Teachers who lack professional knowledge and skills in the provision of trilingual education are also problematic. Moreover, the recruitment of native-speaking teachers of the target language is difficult due to perceived heavy workloads and poor pay. Findings also make evident important implications for policymakers, principals and professional development. Copyright © 2021 Taylor & Francis Ltd.

Co-teaching provides opportunities for children that cannot be produced by a solo teacher. However, building relationships between co-teachers, particularly in a cross-cultural setting, can be difficult. This study of early years teachers in a Hong Kong international school aims to consider the elements that facilitate a strong and productive co-teaching relationship and challenges that teaching teams encounter. The study utilizes qualitative interviews of 26 teachers to capture teachers’ perceptions of co-teaching. Findings suggest, that while teachers valued their relationships, the building and maintenance of a productive co-teaching relationship takes work, flexibility, and an openness to the perspectives of one’s partner. Copyright © 2021 Elsevier.

To study what ways a gardening programme being implemented within the context of a Hong Kong pre-school support experiential learning. Dewey is one of the most significant figures in experiential learning. Kolb extended and modified some aspects of Dewey's work, with influence by Piaget and Lewin. Fenwick pinpointed some strengths and limitations of experiential learning. Experiential learning is the conceptual framework of this study (Dewey, 1938; Kolb, 1984; Fenwick, 2001). I was obliged to reconsider my own ideology both in relation to gardening and experiential learning and to recognise how ideology predisposed me to 'see' in some ways and not others. This study is a qualitative single case study using interpretivist paradigm. Multiple data collection methods were used, including unstructured, participant and non-participant observations, semi-structured individual and group interviews, research journal and documentation. The participants were duly informed of the purpose, procedures, and instruments that would be used, including any potential risks. Signed consent was secured. The findings indicated that the children learned through experiential learning. The teachers lacked the necessary subject knowledge - particularly science - for supporting children's learning. The study also highlighted how Chinese cultural beliefs and practices create significant tensions when implementing experiential learning, especially in terms of adult-child relationship. The implications to my teaching included (1) an integral component of my teaching; (2) students can try theories in order to develop practices; (3) enabling students to connect theories to practice; and (4) offering opportunities that students can reflect on their own learning, with engagement. Copyright © 2019 EECERA.

This study examined the relationships between principals’ leadership practices (LP), professional learning community (PLC), teachers’ perceptions of self-efficacy (TE) and whole-child development (WCD) in the context of kindergarten education. A total of 2120 Hong Kong kindergarten teachers participated in the study. Results showed that LP had positive effects on five components of PLC; LP facilitated teachers’ perceived WCD directly and indirectly through the mediation of three PLC components, namely shared sense of purpose, collaborative activity and a collective focus on child learning. Moreover, three PLC components (i.e., a collective focus on child learning, deprivatized practice and reflective dialogue) had positive effects on teachers’ perceived WCD via self-efficacy. The implications for enhancing PLCs in kindergartens are discussed. Copyright © 2019 All Academic, Inc.