Ms. Yu expressed that Hong Kong is a fast pace city and very competitive. Although she tries to put her curriculum into play-based and inclusive for the immigrants to feel more secured, her school does not support her much. Their education system focuses more in academic than the developmental progress of the child. Some of Ms. Yu’s professional goals are to advocate for the importance of children’s social-emotional needs and to advocate for new immigrant’s right. However, their professional development usually is related to academic and not how to support the child to build confident or social-emotional needs such as strategies on how to make curriculum to support children in mathematical skill, critical thinking etc.
Ms. Yu said she is positive to the education system in Hong Kong and believe that the government will develop more supportive resources for new immigrants and professional development for teachers in the near future. However, she think that a professional development to help teacher recognize their values and/or equity sense is important. If a teacher do not value equity or being bias, it will effect children’s values which will affect their values and attitude toward others too.
I
really appreciate Ms. Yu’s honesty and willingness to share her thoughts
regarding Hong Kong’s education system and her goals. Interestingly, I have
similar goal and beliefs as her. I believe that teacher’s commitment is the
most valuable and important element to inspire children and their families. If
a teacher do not have confident on a child, the child and their family would
feel it and it may effect the child. On the other hand, if a child fails or
fall behind other’s progress, but the teacher is encouraging and trusting the
child could do it,
I think that it is so great that you are able to have an international contact with another early childhood educator. I wasn't able to make this kind of contact with anyone, but I want to be able to understand and know hands on what issue there are in other countries.
ReplyDeleteHi Yee,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing Ms. Yu's insights with us. It is interesting to learn that Hong Kong's education system hasn't recognized the importance of including social-emotional development into the curriculum. Focusing on academics is important, but if children don't feel supported by their teachers, such a thought can affect a child's self-efficacy and motivation to learn new concepts. It is good to hear that Ms. Yu continues to advocate for her students and new immigrants rights. Hopefully, Hong Kong will include social-emotional development in the curriculum, consider new immigrants needs, and provide professional development for teachers soon.