An Overview of Early Childhood Science Education in China

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the status of early childhood science education in China. Along with the worldwide science education reforms at K-12 levels, early childhood science education in China has also been making significant progress in research and practice since the release of the Guidelines for Kindergarten Education (trial version) (Ministry of Education (MOE). (2001). Guidelines for kindergarten education (trail version) (幼儿园教育指导纲要(试行)). Beijing: Beijing Normal University Press) and the Guide for 3- to 6-Year-Old Children’s Learning and Development (Ministry of Education (MOE). (2012). Guide to learning and development for 3–6 year-old children (3–6岁儿童学习与发展指南). Beijing: Capital Normal University Press). In this chapter, we first describe the background and major development stages of early childhood science education in China from a historical perspective. Then we introduce new initiatives and some effective strategies and practices to promote early childhood science education, presenting exemplary cases from classrooms. Finally, we discuss challenges and directions for future development of early childhood science education in China. We hope that this chapter will serve as a catalyst to promote early childhood science education in China and elsewhere around the world.