A Cultural Perspective on Hong Kong’s Kindergarten Education Curriculum: What’s Next?
摘要
Hong Kong has launched its Kindergarten Education Curriculum Guide since 2017 to set a cornerstone for the kindergarten education sector. This chapter explores the Kindergarten Education Curriculum in Hong Kong from a cultural perspective, emphasizing the importance of “glocalization”—the fusion of global and local influences. Using the approach of qualitative discourse analysis, I critically examined the curriculum’s key learning goals, content, and approaches for children aged 2–6 years, aiming to uncover the underlying cultural and ideological values. The cultural perspective acknowledges the diversity and complexity of curricular practices, rejecting the notion of a singular “best” model. This cultural perspective aligns with Chen’s (2022) glocalization framework, which rejects a one-size-fits-all approach and highlights the significance of culturally situated pedagogies that respect local traditions while integrating global educational trends. The cultural perspective recognizes that no curriculum is flawless and advocates for continuous review and reform to adapt to societal and cultural changes. The chapter also discusses new expectations for Hong Kong’s early childhood curriculum, including an increased emphasis on national (security) education, digital empowerment, and interdisciplinary learning through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education. This comprehensive examination provides insights into the curriculum’s development, its cultural underpinnings, and the need for continuous adaptation.