A case study on child care workers' perceived problems in the development of preschool physical education in Hong Kong

The aim of the study is to collect field data at a nursery by a case study approach with the use of participation observation, class observations, interviews, questionnaire and document study about the problems encountered by the preschool in the development of preschool physical education in Hong Kong in order to furnish a basis for development a better understanding of various critical issues concerning the ineffective, insufficient and inappropriate support for preschool physical education program, with which rational preschool education curriculum reform and recommendations can be facilitated in the nursery. At the first phase of the study results of the questionnaire including 9 preschool child care workers and 2 supervisors revealed that: the most major problems include: the lack of external P.E. experts' support; inadequate provision of P.E. curriculum and the spacious indoor playground in the preschool; insufficient knowledge of P.E. subject matter and P.E. practical skills of preschool teachers. Besides, preschool teachers have perceived that other major problems consist of the inadequate professional training in preschool P.E.; inadequate provision of teaching resources, and the lack of sufficient equipment and facilities for physical play; as well as the over-emphasis on children's pre-academic performance from parents; and the inadequate preschool INSET programs in preschool P.E. in Hong Kong. All the findings at this stage can provide a useful, solid and true piece of information and foundation for further investigation and recommendations on the preschool physical education curriculum reform in the nursery. Copyright © 2000 The Hong Kong Institute of Education.