Difficulties of Hong Kong teachers' understanding and implementation of play in the curriculum

Pui Wah Doris CHENG

Research output: Contribution to conferencePapers

Abstract

Play is the characteristic behaviour of young children. It is a vital means by which children can reconcile their inner lives with the outside world and is found to be a central activity in kindergarten and nurseries. Following that vein, 'Learning through play' is the recommended means of learning and teaching for young children in Hong Kong as documented in the local official education report (ECR2, 1986). In order to have an in-depth understanding of actual practice, a multi-case study of six kindergarten teachers was conducted in 1996 to investigate the understanding and the implementation of play in the kindergarten curriculum. The findings showed that there were immense difficulties in the understanding of the concept of 'learning through play' and a great gap existed between the practitioners' espoused concept and their actual practices. The study reflected the complex nature of learning and teaching and highlighted the urgent need for the professional development of teachers. Reference ECR2 (1986) Education Commission Report No. 2. Hong Kong Government printer.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 1999
EventBritish Educational Research Association Annual Conference 1999 - University of Sussex, United Kingdom
Duration: 01 Sept 199905 Sept 1999
https://www.bera.ac.uk/conference/annual-conference-1999

Conference

ConferenceBritish Educational Research Association Annual Conference 1999
Abbreviated titleBERA 1999
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
Period01/09/9905/09/99
Internet address

Citation

Cheng, D. (1999, September). Difficulties of Hong Kong teachers' understanding and implementation of play in the curriculum. Paper presented at British Educational Research Association (BERA) Annual Conference 1999, University of Sussex, England.

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