Preschool education should prepare children in this day and age to grow up with a global outlook, and it is necessary for educators to design the curriculum relevant for their development. This is a view shared by Dr Chen Shi, Vice Principal (Chinese Programmes), of KLC International Institute (KLCII) when she spoke at the 7th Asian Preschool Education Annual Conference & Asian Preschool Education Exposition in Zhuhai, China, from 18 to 21 April 2019.
Dr Chen Shi, who holds a PhD in education management and arts from Jinan University, China, was the only speaker from Singapore invited to share her expertise in early childhood education at the event.
Attended by some 11,000 domestic and international delegates, the conference featured the theme “Great Oriental Tide: Quality New Preschool”’
Speaking on the topic “The international development trend in preschool education”, Dr Chen Shi shared her observations and views on the increasing impact of internationalisation on early childhood education. She also explained the need for preschools to position themselves to evaluate the changing environment, develop appropriate strategies and review the curriculum to help prepare children for a more interconnected world driven by advancing technologies.
Dr Chen Shi also shared the pedagogy used by Chinese language teachers in Singapore to facilitate Creative Thinking and Skill Development in young children, as well as the use of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) as part of the holistic curriculum for formal and informal learning environments.
This conference is among one of many in China that have in recent years invited KLCII to share its knowledge and experience in early childhood education and its teaching training programmes.