From the origin of words to literature and history, Professor Ricky Tse, Dean of the Faculty of Arts of Hong Kong Nang Yan College of Higher Education, takes the audience on a cultural journey through the thousands of years of Chinese culture.

On April 9th, Professor Tse visited Yew Chung School of Early Childhood Education for a seminar on "Traditional Chinese Culture and Early Childhood Education". Beginning with the analysis on the character 育 juk, "nurture" in Shuowen Jiezi ("Origin of Chinese Characters"), we can see how the spirit of impartiality in traditional Chinese education emphasize on nurturing with values and morals; and from the character 教 gaau, how to practise education through love, reflections, harmony and balance. In the Record on the Subject of Education section in the Book of Rites, a saying stated that "the jade uncut will not form a vessel for use; and if men do not learn, they do not know the way (in which they should go). On this account the emperors in ancient times, during state development and governing, made rules and education primary objects" This shows the idea of enlightenment and wisdom has been valued since ancient times. The saying in the Three Character Classic states that "All men are born intrinsically with a good nature." shows that the primary task of childhood education is to make people understand good virtues and be a moral person.

Education begins with enlightenment in early childhood, with the education system, pedagogy, and teaching materials, etc. complementing each other. Professor Tse believes that enlightenment education for young children must be instigated by home and school together in hand, and provide comprehensive immersive learning through three aspects: environment,  role model, and language, so that children can be nourished by culture in their daily lives. The Book of Changes emphasizes the harmony of opposites and the order of all things, and this has found evidence in modern scientific discoveries. Chinese culture contains profound knowledge; if a child can be immersed in the culture from an early age, their character can also be nourished in addition to the acquisition of knowledge. As the saying goes, "the character of a child is determined at the age of three." We must grasp the golden period for morality cultivation. This seminar has helped preschool teachers and in-service teachers to understand the concept of education in traditional Chinese culture, and provide insights on modern education and its enlightening significance.