Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

International Perspectives on Early Childhood Education in the Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Early Childhood Education in Chinese Societies

Abstract

This chapter aims to briefly review the recent developments in early childhood education in Chinese societies such as the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. Varying greatly in political and economic contexts, these societies share some common patterns and face similar challenges in their development. First, this chapter analyzes the shifting landscape in Chinese economies and societies with a focus on the changes in education systems and policies and the associated impact. Second, it evaluates all the efforts that these societies have made to promote the accessibility, affordability, and accountability of early childhood education in the past decades. Third, it critically reflects on the early childhood curriculum reforms and pedagogical changes in these societies. Last, this chapter summarizes the challenges in defining culturally appropriate early childhood education in a globalized world as well as the lessons that we could learn from these Chinese societies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Center for Research in Basic Education, National Institute of Education Science. (2008). A report on the development of early childhood education. Retrieved December 15, 2013, from http://www.nies.net.cn/cb/bg/201203/t20120329_303285.html

  • Chen, E. E., & Li, H. (2017). Early childhood education in Taiwan. (Chapter 13). In N. Rao, J. Zhou, & J. Sun (Eds.), Early childhood education in Chinese societies. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, D. P. W. (2001). Difficulties of Hong Kong teachers’ understanding and implementation of play in the curriculum. Teaching and Teacher Education, 17(7), 857–869.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chow, G. C. (2007). China’s economic transformation (2nd ed.). Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Curriculum Development Council. (1996). Guide to the pre-primary curriculum. Hong Kong, China: Government Printer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Curriculum Development Council. (2006). Guide to the pre-primary curriculum. Hong Kong, China: Government Printer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Education Commission. (2000). Review of the education system: Reform proposals. Hong Kong, China: Government Printer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Education Department. (1999). List of dos and don’ts for kindergartens. Schools Curriculum Circular, 4, 99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feng, X. X. (2017). An overview of early childhood education in China (Chapter 4). In N. Rao, J. Zhou, & J. Sun (Eds.), Early childhood education in Chinese societies. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, G. W. (2002). Potential cultural resistance to pedagogical imports: The case of communicative language teaching in China. Language, Culture and Curriculum, 15(2), 93–105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang, Y., Pang, L. J., & Sun, J. (2017). Early childhood teachers’ professional development in China (Chapter 6). In N. Rao, J. Zhou, & J. Sun (Eds.), Early childhood education in Chinese societies. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, H. (2002). Reforming the early childhood curriculum in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Journal of Early Childhood, 1(1), 44–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, H. (2006). Transformation of kindergartens in Shenzhen: Internet view of the problems and solutions. Early Childhood Education (Educational Sciences), 346(10), 13–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, H. (2007a). Universalism or relativism: Rethinking Chinese early childhood education reform from a cultural perspective. In J. X. Zhu (Ed.), Chinese perspectives on early childhood education. Shanghai, China: East China Normal University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, H. (2007b). Story approach to integrated learning: The curricula and pedagogies. Hong Kong, China: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, H., & Chau, L. (2010). Story Approach to Integrated Learning (SAIL): A postmodernism curriculum for Hong Kong kindergartens. In L. E. Kattington (Ed.), Handbook of curriculum development (pp. 329–345). New York: Nova Science Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, H., Corrie, L. F., & Wong, B. K. M. (2008). Early teaching of Chinese literacy skills and later literacy outcomes. Early Child Development and Care, 178(5), 441–459.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, H., & Li, P. M. (2003). Lessons from implanting Reggio Emilia and Montessori curriculum in China (in Chinese). Early Childhood Education, 9, 4–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, H., Rao, N., & Tse, S. K. (2011). Bridging the gap: A longitudinal study of the relationship between pedagogical continuity and early Chinese literacy acquisition. Early Years, 31(1), 57–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, H., & Wong, N. C. M. (2008). Implementing performance indicators in early childhood settings: A Chinese model. International Journal of Early Years Education, 16(2), 115–131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, H., Wong, M. S., & Wang, C. X. (2010). Affordability, accessibility, and accountability: Perceived impacts of the pre-primary education vouchers in Hong Kong. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 25(1), 125–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lim, A., & Lim, M. Y. S. (2017). Early childhood education in Singapore: Contemporary issues (Chapter 12). In N. Rao, J. Zhou, & J. Sun (Eds.), Early childhood education in Chinese societies. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin, Y. W. (2007). Current critical issues of early childhood education in Taiwan – Reflections on the social phenomenon and governmental policies. Paper presented at AERA 2007 Annual Meeting. Chicago, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y., & Feng, X. X. (2005). Kindergarten educational reform during the past two decades in Mainland China: Achievements and problems. International Journal of Early Years Education, 13(2), 93–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Education. (1989, June 5). Procedural regulations for kindergartens. Retrieved October 10, 2014, http://www.moe.gov.cn/srcsite/A02/s5911/moe_621/201511/t20151119_220023.html

  • Ministry of Education. (2001, July 2). Guiding framework for kindergarten education (Trial version). Retrieved December 20, 2014, from http://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2002/content_61459.htm

  • Ministry of Education. (2010, July 29). National Medium and Long-term Education Reform and Development Plan (2010–2020). Retrieved December 10, 2014, from http://www.moe.edu.cn/publicfiles/business/htmlfiles/moe/moe_838/201008/93704.html

  • NAEYC. (1997). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs (Rev. Ed). Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ng, S. S. N., & Rao, N. (2008). Mathematics teaching during the early years in Hong Kong: A reflection of constructivism with Chinese characteristics? Early Years, 28(2), 159–172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ng, S. S. N., Sun, J., Lau, C., & Rao, N. (2017). Early childhood education in Hong Kong: Progress, challenges and opportunities (Chapter 10). In N. Rao, J. Zhou, & J. Sun (Eds.), Early childhood education in Chinese societies. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • OECD. (2006). Starting strong II: Early childhood education and care. Paris: OECD Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • OECD. (2010). PISA 2009 results: What students know and can do: Student performance in reading, mathematics and science (Volume I). Paris: OECD Publishing.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Pan, Y. J., Liu, Y. E., & Lau, E. Y. H. (2010). Evaluation of the kindergarten quality rating system in Beijing. Early Education and Development, 21(2), 186–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rao, N., Koong, M., Kwong, M., & Wong, M. (2003). Predictors of preschool process quality in a Chinese context. Early Child Research Quarterly, 18, 331–350.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rao, N., & Li, H. (2009). Quality matters: Early childhood education policy in Hong Kong. Early Child Development and Care, 179(3), 233–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang, F. L., & Maxwell, S. (2007). Being taught to learn together: An ethnographic study of the curriculum in two Chinese kindergartens. Early Years, 27(2), 145–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tobin, J. (2007). An ethnographic perspective on quality in early childhood education. In J. X. Zhu (Ed.), Global perspectives on early childhood education. Shanghai, China: East China Normal University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tzuo, P. W. (2007). The tension between teacher control and children’s freedom in a child-centered classroom: Resolving the practical dilemma through a closer look at the related theories. Early Childhood Education Journal, 35(1), 33–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UNESCO. (2007). Education for All Global Monitoring Report 2007- Strong foundations: Early childhood care and education. Paris: UNESCO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vong, K. I. (2017). Early childhood education in Macao: Recent developments and trends (Chapter 11). In N. Rao, J. Zhou, & J. Sun (Eds.), Early childhood education in Chinese societies. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wong, M. N. C. (2008). How preschool children learn in Hong Kong and Canada: A cross-cultural study. Early Years, 28(2), 115–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, M. N. C., & Li, H. (2010). From external inspection to self-evaluation: A study of quality assurance in Hong Kong kindergartens. Early Education & Development, 21(2), 205–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, M. N. C., & Pang, L. J. (2002). Early childhood education in China: Issues and development. In L. K. S. Chan & E. J. Mellor (Eds.), International developments in early childhood services (pp. 53–70). New York: Peter Lang Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, H., Zeng, X. D., & Fan, X. (2010). What are the problems behind the phenomenon of kindergarten crunch. Early Childhood Education (Educational Sciences), 12(486), 1–4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, J. X., & Wang, X. C. (2005). Contemporary early childhood education and research in China. In B. Spodek & O. N. Saracho (Eds.), Contemporary perspectives in early childhood education, Vol. (7): International perspectives (pp. 55–77). Greenwich, CT: Information Age.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, J. X., & Zhang, J. (2008). Contemporary trends and developments in early childhood education in China. Early Years, 28(2), 173–182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Hui Li

  2. University at Buffalo (SUNY), Buffalo, NY, USA

    X. Christine Wang

Authors
  1. Hui Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. X. Christine Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hui Li .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Nirmala Rao

  2. Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China

    Jing Zhou

  3. Department of Early Childhood Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Jin Sun

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Li, H., Wang, X.C. (2017). International Perspectives on Early Childhood Education in the Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. In: Rao, N., Zhou, J., Sun, J. (eds) Early Childhood Education in Chinese Societies. International Perspectives on Early Childhood Education and Development, vol 19. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1004-4_14

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1004-4_14

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-024-1003-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-024-1004-4

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation