The real "Chinese" kindergarten - Catiline
For parents who want their children to learn the fundamental values of Chinese culture, while also developing an international outlook, Catiline Kindergarten is a great option.
Stating its mission as...
For parents who want their children to learn the fundamental values of Chinese culture, while also developing an international outlook, Catiline Kindergarten is a great option.
Stating its mission as a “quest for character-based excellence”, the 28-year-old institution currently runs five schools and kindergartens teaching a total of close to 1,300 pupils.
“First and foremost, the essence of education should be character building, the inculcation of traditional virtues and fundamental values,” says K.H. Wun, director of Catiline Kindergarten and International Preschool. “Nowadays, some educators get side-tracked,”
For that reason, the curriculum is based on the Confucian principle of the Six Skills. These include character and etiquette, fine arts, physical training, the use of tools and technology, literature and mathematics.
The children learn to read and recite some Chinese classics, for example the “Three Character Classics”, used as teaching material since the Sung dynasty in the 13th century. Other works such as “Manners for Youngsters” and the “Thousand Character Classic” have been used to teach Chinese characters ever since the 6th century.
“Children are like sponges; they have a tremendous ability to absorb and retain,” Wun says. “We create the environment for them to be exposed to the classics, after which understanding the texts in-depth is really a life-long process.”
To help in learning, the children play different games, perhaps passing a ball or taking turns at musical chairs, with one of the class then reciting a line or reading a sentence. Along the way, teachers will also explain and reinforce the importance of traditional values like filial piety, loyalty, honour, and respect for others in the modern context.
According to Wun, children who practise reciting the classics when young develop a higher level of concentration and a better ability to memorise. They demonstrate the values learned in other ways. For example, children with birthdays in the same month invite their parents and grandparents to the kindergarten as a gesture of thanks. They present a programme with songs and a martial arts display, and serve tea to their guests to show respect and appreciation.
The standard school day includes classes in English, Putonghua – with qualified native speakers – and Cantonese. There are specialist instructors to teach art, singing, qi gong and martial arts.
Access to a rented farm allows children to plant their own vegetables. This activity teaches them to treasure their food and understand the hard work involved in farming. The school also emphasises the need for recycling, and there are two vegetarian days per week in an effort to preserve the environment.
“Education should not end in the classroom,” says Wun, noting that some pupils make regular monthly visits to elderly centres, where they sing and show off their martial arts skills. “Children should also learn to care for other people in the community.”
Close cooperation with parents is important in order to achieve consistency in teaching certain values. Therefore, the school arranges seminars, newsletters and other opportunities for parents to be fully aware of what each class is doing and why.
Catiline recently opened a playgroup and a pre-school for children aged three months to three years. It follows the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage goals and the Reggio Emilia approach to learning.
