Physical activities in Hong Kong Kindergarten: Strengths and weaknesses
Oral Presentation A8.3
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.406Keywords:
Physical Activities, Kindergarten, Quality Review, Curriculum, Hong KongAbstract
Background: "Physical Fitness and Health" is one of the key learning areas in Hong Kong kindergarten education. However, little research has examined how kindergarten teachers enact the curriculum principles in class. The Quality Review (QR) scheme was launched to assess the quality of kindergarten education. Officers from Education Bureau regularly conduct classroom observations and complete assessment reports focusing on various domains. Purpose: We analyze the strengths and weaknesses articulated in the QR reports pertaining to Physical Activities (PA) in Hong Kong kindergartens. Method: A total of 164 QR reports published between 2017 and 2020 were analyzed by identifying the most common types of (1) positive feedback and (2) negative feedback focusing on the area of PA. Content analysis was used. Analytic codes were non-mutually exclusive. Results: The most common codes in positive feedback were sufficient time allotted to PA and adequate implementation of PA. Regarding negative feedback, the most common codes were inadequate PA opportunities offered to children and poor pedagogical practice. Conclusion: While Hong Kong's Education Bureau is making significant efforts to increase the quantity and quality of children's exposure to PA in kindergartens, there are still many aspects that must be enhanced. We argue that feedback given to kindergartens should be more specific to contribute to improving the quality of pedagogical practices. Hong Kong kindergarten teachers need further support to be able to enact the principles of Hong Kong's curriculum Guide in practice.
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Copyright (c) 2021 Thomas C. M. Fan, Alfredo Bautista
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