The pandemic has affected kindergarten students’ social and emotional development and independence, as they have had to attend classes online and spend more time at home due to social distancing. To facilitate their transition from kindergarten to primary school, The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) has launched a new online project, providing free learning resources and extensive information for parents and children.
EdUHK’s “Kindergarten-Primary Bridging Project 360” comprises three parts: video series for parents, animated videos for parents and children, and online meetings with parents. It is jointly presented by the Department of Early Childhood Education (ECE) and the Educational Innovation Leadership Project under the Knowledge Transfer Sub-Office at EdUHK, with primary school principals, psychologists and education scholars sharing their professional expertise and insights.Details are as follows:
1. Video series for parents
Professionals share the challenges that children face when moving up to primary school, as well as giving advice to their parents. There will be a total of 28 videos covering “Learning”, “Adaption” and “Mind”. Among the guest speakers are Associate Head of ECE Dr Eva Lau and Professor Stephen Chiu Wing-kai of Department of Social Sciences, who discuss topics such as physical and mental health, as well as self-control of pre-school children.
2. Animated videos for parents and children
A total of 25 animated videos, covering themes on children’s adaptation to the new environment, social life and self-care, are available on collaborative partner EVIGarten’s online learning platform, which is accessible free of charge. The content includes peer relationships, getting along with people, as well as time and money management. Each video is supplemented with teaching guidelines and engaging exercises designed for parents and children to serve the purpose.
3. Online meetings with parents
Five experienced primary school principals will conduct online meetings with parents, with in-depth discussion on different topics regarding the move up to primary school.
EdUHK President Professor Stephen Cheung Yan-leung said, “Proceeding to primary schooling is a necessary stage for every student. We are concerned about the profound impact of the pandemic on kindergarten students, who have had less time in face-to-face classes.
“This new project is just a start, and we are committed to promoting the sharing of online teaching resources for all. These materials, together with teaching plans, will be developed for different subjects in support of online learning.”
Dr Chan Wai-ling, Assistant Professor of ECE and the project consultant, said, “Parents need more support for their children’s adaptation to the new learning environment. This is especially important given the vast differences between kindergarten and primary schooling in terms of learning modes and curricula. Weakening of children’s self-care ability caused by prolonged lack of interaction is another concern relayed by parents.”
The project materials will be uploaded onto the Project website in phases. Click here for the details of the video series releases and the schedule for the online meetings with parents (Chinese only).
