Little students in the university
Little students in the university
Kids learn and play on the CU campus
By Wylie Yeo
They are the students of the Chung Chi Nursery School.
Coming from different countries, students of the nursery school speak various languages, but most know English.
Dr. Leslie Lo, a Chinese-American and Dean of the Faculty of Education at the Chinese University, enrolled his child in the nursery school.
“Playing with children from different countries is good. They can develop a right attitude on how to get along with people from other races,” said Dr. Lo.
In 1967, there were no kindergartens in Sha Tin. Lecturers and staff of the Chinese University could not find any preschool education institution nearby for their kids.
The parents then raised money and toys, recruited teachers, bought equipment and established the Chung Chi Nursery School beside Chung Chi Chapel at the Chinese University.
The nursery school runs on its own and is not sponsored by the Chinese University. It is open to public, with priority in admissions given to children of lecturers and staff of the Chinese University.
Nowadays the nursery school is located in the yard beside the postgraduate hall.
Playing, eating snacks, doing art work, singing and listening to stories are the main activities of the children. Academic subjects, such as English and mathematics, are not formally taught.
Said Dr. Richard Tay, 36, a Singaporean lecturer in the Department of Decision Science and Managerial Economics at the Chinese University: “Good social behaviour is what my wife and I want my daughter Erin to learn at school. We can teach her how to write.”
Said Dr. Lo: “I think the nursery school’s practice of learning through playing is good for kids below 4.
“For example, by playing with toy blocks, kids can learn mathematical concepts. They can also learn words and pronunciation by memorizing schoolmates’ names.”
Dr. Lo agreed that writing is too hard for children under 4, as their eye-hand coordination and muscles are not fully developed at this age.
Dr. Chiu Fred Y.L., associate professor in the Department of Sociology at Hong Kong Baptist University, said, “This nursery school is unique. It gives the most freedom to kids.”
“I only want my son to play at school and enjoy a good time before he goes to a primary school.”
Mrs. Jennifer Chan, 46, a Briton, teaches at the nursery school. She said, “Under 5, children should focus more on playing instead of studying academic subjects. They gather together, play and develop themselves here.”
According to another teacher, Mrs. Kitty Chan Wong Te Chu, 45, teachers do not interfere in children’s activities unless potential danger is foreseen. Children can cry, shout and even fight. They are given the freedom to settle their own problems.
Students may be accompanied by parents or maids at the nursery school.
Benny Chiu, 2, a son of Dr. Chiu, is always accompanied by a Filipino maid, Ms Lai Sud Sud, in the nursery school. She plays with Benny, borrows toys from his schoolmates for him, and even does his art work.
The kids of the Chung Chi Nursery School enjoy a high degree of freedom. While other children of the same age are busy doing homework, kids there are given good time to enjoy freedom, play and use their imagination at this school.
