Excellence in the Early Childhood Field - in China

I am pleased to insert this letter that my Chinese web mate sent to her largely Chinese parents in the Bi-lingual class she was the lead teacher of. This is excellence at its best!

If you have been wondering why so much of your child's time in school is spent on play for the last of 2 weeks, please read on.

Experts advise that children need time and space to PLAY not only at home but school as well. Why? What is PLAY? What does it do?

In our fast-paced world so much emphasis is placed on work, achievement and managing a full schedule that time for PLAY in the form of sharing with friends, spontaneous fun, or even solitary moments spent developing a hobby helps us grow and reduces stresses. These forms of PLAY teach us as no other learning device can. PLAY adds the balance we need to live happier and healthier lives.

PLAY is more than fun and leisure time for a child. Through the PLAY process, children LEARN "their way." They connect their inside and outside worlds and create their own unique experiences--no textbook can teach this! PLAY therefore, at its best, aids in the creation of unique individuals, talents and skills.

PLAY develops curiosity. When children PLAY, they become inquisitive and increase their desire to find out about things. They LEARN to enjoy learning.

PLAY helps children discover their own special talents. With no "right or wrong" way to PLAY, children will PLAY in their own way.

PLAY encourages responsible risk-taking. Children can think on their own .

They will try new things in the non-threatening environment of PLAY.

PLAY helps children make their own choices and gives them a sense of control, self-discipline and self-confidence.

PLAY builds social relationships. Children LEARN to communicate, share, cooperate, negotiate and respect the rights of others.

PLAY allows children to make things "less scary". They work out their tensions, fears, emotions and concerns through PLAY.

PLAY rejuvenates. PLAY sparks continued enthusiasm for life and brings renewal, the basis for a happy life.

In summary, PLAY offers boundless opportunities for both children and adults. By encouraging true, FREE PLAY, in and out of classrooms, we open doors to creativity, LEARNING, growth, development and happiness. We raise and become well-balanced individual members of society.

Thank you, Wendy! An excellent model for any country!

I am indeed a lucky girl, another Chinese teacher I had emailed some time ago responded this week. She addressed the equity issue in China. She states that rich families are able to give their children extra classes and enroll them in private and/or higher quality preschools. However, she says that at Kindergarten and Primary School the field is leveled in the public school system. In fact, she reveals that children from poorer families actually score higher because their parents are more strict about studies: 'only best scores can get a good job' (Personal communication, Lily Kong, July 17, 2011) . It is her observation that the rich do not care so much.

Lily does admit that there is a certain amount of gifting going on and that some teachers are swayed to give special attention because of this. However, she states, this is definitely the minority of teachers.

Wendy also responded to the excellence question this week. She relates the story of her son going to public school after a private Montessori preschool and Kindergarten. He was reprimanded for not knowing Pinyin(the alphabetized version of Mandarin character) and for not having speed in math activities. They did not dispute that he had a deep understanding of the maths but not the speed they expected. Wendy says those were difficult days.

This brought to mind that we, a Montessori school, have bowed to parental pressure and provide reception classes in language skills and maths to help prepare the child for Primary school. These are done in the afternoon allowing the morning to be a Montessori work cycle.  Right or wrong? We continue to evaluate.

I have lived in this country for 11 years and I continue to gain new insights. Thanks to these two Chinese teachers.