To bring together local, regional and international early childhood education (ECE) practitioners and researchers, the Department of Early Childhood Education at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) hosted the 11th Conference for Research in Early Childhood Education (CRECE 2025) on 14 June 2025. This highly anticipated peer-to-peer event attracted over 400 attendees, including 100 principals and senior officers from local ECE organisations and kindergartens.
The theme of the CRECE 2025, ‘Early Mathematical Learning and Playful Exploration in Real Life: Theory and Practice’, highlighted the importance of early mathematics and playful learning in child development.
In this conference, three renowned keynote speakers were featured, including Professor David Purpura from Purdue University, Professor Minna Hannula-Sormunen from University of Turku and Dr Sam Cheung Sum-kwing from EdUHK. With 48 paper presentations, more than 50 poster presentations, an exhibition of students’ projects, four symposiums, and an ECE roundtable forum led by Dr Chan Wai-ling, this event was one of the largest ECE conferences ever to be held in Hong Kong. The forum titled “Current Challenges and Opportunities of Early Childhood Education” featured senior representatives from local ECE organisations. The representatives shared their valuable experiences and discussed with ECE practitioners on the issues of children’s well-being and admissions.
In his opening remarks, to welcome the participants, EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-kin said, “Early childhood education is the foundation of education, and also the first important step in shaping children's future. As an educator, each of us should be responsible to learn, innovate, and work constantly and closely together to provide an educational environment with high-quality for young generation. I hope that we can work together to create a better environment for children growth with professional practice, innovative ideas and great dedication, in order to make greater contributions to our local community and country.”
Dr Eva Lau Yi-hung, Acting Head of ECE Department expressed her expectation on the close liaison and communication with the industry, “In addition to the CRECE 2025, our department will continue to organise other activities and launch a series of new initiatives, especially focusing on the topics that the industry is most concerned, such as services for those aged 0 to 3, SEN and inclusive education, children's emotional and physical health, etc. We look forward to working more closely with all stakeholders in the future.” During the closing ceremony, Professor Phillip Li Hui, Chair Professor of the ECE Department, highlighted there are cultural differences in early math curriculum and pedagogy, as well as individual differences in early math learning and development. Hence, he encouraged continuous collaboration among educators, researchers, and policymakers to seek the best, culturally appropriate, practices in the field of ECE.
The objectives of CRECE are to promote the teaching-research collaboration, and to affirm the ECE sector of its critical role in society, by bringing together teaching knowledge, expertise and latest ideas regarding ECE, to support and inspire one another.
About the CRECE 2025, please visit the website at www.eduhk.hk/crece2025.
Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, President of EdUHK, delivers the opening remarks.
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Professor Bruce Macfarlane, Dean of Faculty of Education and Human Development at EdUHK, delivers welcome message
Group photo at the 11th Conference for Research in Early Childhood Education hosted by the Department of Early Childhood Education at The Education University of Hong Kong.
Dr Jianbin Li, the Chair of the Organising Committee, delivers welcome message.
Professor Minna Hannula-Sormunen from University of Turku, delivers the first keynote speech.
Dr Sam Cheung Sum-kwing from the Department of Early Childhood Education at EdUHK, delivers the second keynote speech.
Professor David Purpura from Purdue University, delivers the third keynote speech.
ECE roundtable forum attracts 100 principals and senior officers from local ECE organisations and kindergartens.
The conference includes more than 50 poster presentations.
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The exhibition of students’ projects.
Professor Phillip Li Hui, Chair Professor of the Department of Early Childhood Education at EdUHK, delivers conference’s concluding remarks.
Dr Eva Lau Yi-hung, Acting Head of the Department of Early Childhood Education at EdUHK, delivers thank you message.