Theory put into practice
Teachers at Soka Kindergarten in Kowloon Tong enjoyed their training sessions with Professor Chen and are keen to adapt their practices as a result.
Head Dorothy Cheng said she found the interactive elements particularly stimulating, adding that they increased free discussion among the staff.
The 'value-creating' educational philosophy of Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and Josei Toda - Soka Gakkai's founding and second presidents - is now being put into practice up to university level by an integrated system of schools.
Networking is an essential element of this creativity. 'I really enjoyed the first day when we had a chance to share our work with other kindergartens in Hong Kong,' Ms Cheng said. 'The example Professor Chen used about the project involving the dramatisation of the 'Tortoise Marriage' story helps teachers explore western training skills. Along with parental involvement, teacher professional guidelines such as these are important for children.'
