Yew Chung Early Childhood Education Study Tour： Empowering Students to See More Possibilities in Education

As autumn deepens, enthusiasm remains undiminished. Teachers and students from Shanghai Jiguang Polytechnic College recently embarked on a five-day " Yew Chung Early Childhood Education Study Tour" ,  traveling thousands of miles to Hong Kong.

This study tour was meticulously designed by Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education（YCCECE） for the students. It was not only a cross-cultural experience but also a convergence of theory and practice.

If you are also curious about—
• How to achieve deep learning beyond mere "observation," by personally interacting, experiencing, and reflecting?
• How to refresh your perspectives and ignite inspiration through intellectual exchange with international teachers and students?
• How to witness cutting-edge theories transformed into tangible classroom practices, thereby reshaping your educational philosophy?

This study tour might just have the answers.

Embarking on a Journey of Philosophy: Witnessing a 90-Year Educational Legacy

The welcome ceremony for the study tour was hosted by Dr. Crystal Zheng, Academic Dean of Studies and Assistant Professor of YCCECE, with an opening speech by Professor Eric Cheng, Vice President (Academic).

Centered on the theme "Nurturing the Future with Love," we introduced the educational DNA of Yew Chung. From campus tours to student interactions, we aimed to convey the warmth of our "child and student-centered" approach through an authentic campus atmosphere.

In the afternoon, Ms. Ruoyu Wen, Lecturer, guided participants in sharing their initial impressions of Hong Kong's early childhood education through interactive activities. She systematically deconstructed these preconceptions by introducing the development history and service system of Hong Kong's kindergartens. Sharing vivid personal anecdotes about choosing a kindergarten for her daughter in Hong Kong, she connected policies, culture, and educational philosophies, painting a realistic picture of Hong Kong's early childhood education landscape and offering students new perspectives for understanding the field.

Immersive Observation: Witnessing Theory Put into Practice

The students visited the Kindergarten, experiencing firsthand how educational philosophies are implemented. From observation to interaction, they genuinely felt the "child-centered" teaching environment: young children discovering and solving problems through free exploration, with teachers respecting, believing in, and guiding children as equal companions.

At the Yew Chung International School Kindergarten Section, Ms. Terence Lo, Chinese Co-Principal, ECE, emphasized the co-participation of teachers and children in curriculum development, thereby stimulating children's learning interest and creativity. At Gigamind Kindergarten, Principal Fan, speaking on the topic "How to Practice Yew Chung Approach to Early Childhood Education in a Local Curriculum Kindergarten," shared how the school adheres to the "child-centered" principle, supporting each child's growth through exploration by constructing diverse teaching activities and a holistic development system.

Academic Classroom: Experiencing an Internationalized Curriculum

Students participated in a fully English-taught Bachelor's degree course. The session was led by Ms. Payal, Lecturer, with Ms. Penny Pan, Lecturer, providing live translation. Together with Yew Chung College students from various countries, the Jiguang students studied a course on "Educational Leadership." At that moment, language barriers and cultural differences transformed into expanded thinking and broadened horizons.

Cultural Journey: Exploring Education and Aesthetics

In the afternoon, at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, an aesthetic exploration session titled "A Day in the Forbidden City," led by Dr. Hui Ching, allowed the students to see that education can happen in any setting, and that culture itself is the best classroom.

From Experience to Creation: Illuminating the Future Classroom through Play

In the STEM experience class at the PPDS, the students became "children" again, understanding learning through play. Guided by the teaching team, the students not only understood the educational intent hidden in every aspect of environmental design but also actively participated in two distinctive STEM play activities. From environmental design to material provision, from teacher guidance to children's autonomy—the students transformed from experiencing "play" to contemplating "teaching"， unlocking the code of active learning through games.

At the closing ceremony, Cathy Li, Vice Principal (Administration), encouraged early childhood educators to recognize with keen insight that society is undergoing tremendous technology-driven changes, to view tools like AI as assistants for enhancing professional capabilities, and to find a balance between the "unchanging nature of humanity" and the "evolving needs of the future" with professionalism, vision, and love, jointly exploring the path to nurturing the next generation.

We hope this Yew Chung study tour was not only a recharge but also an empowerment. May every future early childhood teacher from Shanghai Jiguang Polytechnic College transform what they saw, heard, and thought during this journey into a driving force for progress. In their future posts, may they nurture the future with love, equipped with broader horizons and more professional competence.