The Department of Early Childhood Education (ECE) hosted the fourth Conference for Research in Early Childhood Education (CRECE) on 19 May 2018. The event attracted some 500 principals, teachers, scholars, social workers, government officials, and education related professionals.
The keynote speaker, Professor Marilyn Fleer from Monash University, Australia, illustrated how teachers may use imaginative and technological play to promote scientific learning. She used videos and case studies to demonstrate how “problem situations” can be set up to help young children understand observable and non-observable concepts.
On the other hand, Head of ECE, Professor Kevin Chung, highlighted how dialogical reading can be used to promote child literacy skills. Furthermore, Professor Kerry Lee from ECE explained the importance of executive functions in promoting child math development.
The CRECE has a strong emphasis on two-way interactions and exchanges with the field! The seminar, workshop, and poster sessions in the afternoon were hosted by local principals, teachers, and practitioners, who shared their former teaching experiences, so that colleagues from other kindergartens can evaluate the feasibilities of different teaching methods in their own work settings. The chat room session, where practitioners were free to talk about important education topics with speakers and scholars, distinguished the CRECE from traditional conferences, where participants “listen” and speakers “talk.”
ECE continues to create and innovate, including in knowledge exchanges with the field.
