Over 600 Early Childhood Education Professionals Gather at CRECE 2026
Exploring Support for Children with Special Educational Needs
The Department of Early Childhood Education at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) hosted the 12th Conference for Research in Early Childhood Education (CRECE 2026) on 18 April 2026. The event brought together more than 600 early childhood education (ECE) practitioners and scholars from the Chinese Mainland, local and overseas, including 50 principals and senior administrators from local ECE organisations.
This year’s conference, themed “Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs in Early Childhood Education: Practices and Innovations”, echoes the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals SDG3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG4 (Quality Education). It aims to explore innovative approaches to inclusive ECE and promote the holistic development of children with special educational needs (SEN).
Three distinguished keynote speakers-Professor Kevin Chung Kien-Hoa, Chair Professor of Child and Development and Special Education of the Department of ECE, Director of Centre for Child and Family Science at EdUHK, Professor Kenneth Sin Kuen-fung, Executive Director of the Institute of Special Needs and Inclusive Education at EdUHK, and Professor Deng Meng, Director of Research Institute of Inclusive Education at East China Normal University shared their latest research findings and insights on SEN support strategies, innovative practices in early education, and interdisciplinary collaboration to advance inclusive education.
The conference featured more than 130 presentations, including over 80 poster sessions, about 50 oral presentations, four symposiums and workshops. A VIP luncheon and alumni gathering were also arranged, fostering lively exchanges among participants and stakeholders.
In his opening remark, EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin said, “Early childhood education is the foundation of education and the cornerstone of building the future. EdUHK is committed to nurturing ECE professionals with both expertise and enthusiasm, advancing academic research alongside teaching practice, and fostering diverse and inclusive learning environments.” He encouraged educators to collaborate and take forward their work with professionalism and innovation, to establish a hopeful, happy and supportive environment in which future generations in Hong Kong and the nation can thrive.
Professor Bruce Macfarlane, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Human Development at EdUHK, highlighted that the CRECE provides a valuable platform for dialogue and collaboration, uniting educators, researchers, and frontline teachers under a shared vision of cultivating inclusive learning environments where every child can thrive.
Professor Eva Lau Yi-hung, Acting Head of the ECE Department, noted that since its inception in 2015, CRECE has become a key platform for professional exchange in Hong Kong and the region. She added that the Department has launched Hong Kong’s first Master's programme in inclusive ECE for children aged 0 to 8, combining academic rigour with practical application to cultivate professional talent.
Dr Li Jianbin, Chairman of the Organising Committee, expressed gratitude to all ECE stakeholders, department staff and helpers for their support and contributions. He encouraged participants to bring the insights gained from the conference back to their institutions, continue to explore and innovate, and to the long-term development of early childhood education.
CRECE 2026 underscores the importance of teaching-research collaboration and affirms the critical role of the ECE sector in society. By bringing together expertise, teaching knowledge and the latest research, the conference provides a platform for mutual support and inspiration among practitioners.
For more details about the CRECE 2026, please visit : www.eduhk.hk/crece.
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