In Xuzhou, nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of Jiangsu province in East China, Xuhai Road Kindergarten is stirring up a different kind of buzz. Here, the air is filled with the sounds of young chefs chopping vegetables, baking buns, and milling soybean milk, as preschoolers don miniature chef uniforms and embark on culinary adventures.
This unconventional approach to early education has recently captivated audiences online, with videos showcasing the kitchen prowess of these pint-sized chefs going viral on Douyin, the Chinese counterpart of TikTok. Principal Zhang Qian notes that such culinary activities have become an integral part of the kindergarten’s daily routine, involving children from various grades.
The inception of this initiative traces back to a simple outdoor activity where children collected hawthorn berries but were dissuaded from tasting them due to sanitation concerns. This prompted Principal Zhang to question why children shouldn’t savor the fruits of autumn on an autumn day, leading to a paradigm shift in the kindergarten’s approach.
Seeking to bridge the gap between learning and living, the kindergarten constructed a clay stove and introduced lessons on making sugarcoated hawthorns, unlocking a wealth of learning opportunities in cooking, dyeing, gardening, and animal care.
“We are mindful of safety, but we fret more about the possibility of depriving children of a joyful childhood,” Zhang emphasizes, highlighting the importance of experiencing seasonal changes and the beauty of life in nature.
Teachers at Xuhai Road Kindergarten adopt a hands-off approach, acting as observers and guides while fostering an environment that encourages children to confront and resolve their own issues and conflicts, explains Vice-Principal Zhang Tian.
Parents are witnessing remarkable transformations in their children’s personalities, with some expressing disbelief at their newfound culinary skills and interests. This practical education initiative has not only reduced children’s dependence on smartphones but has also instilled a greater sense of responsibility for household chores.
One notable success story is that of a once introverted student who found his passion for cooking, earning the nickname “chef” among his peers. His teachers have observed a marked improvement in his confidence and social skills, underscoring the transformative impact of practical learning.
Despite the reduced emphasis on traditional classroom time, educational experts assert that children benefiting from practical education are likely to excel academically, demonstrating enhanced concentration, problem-solving abilities, and learning capabilities upon entering primary school.
Across China, practical education is gaining traction, with schools incorporating a wide array of activities ranging from smart irrigation systems to traditional handicrafts into their curricula. Xuhai Road Kindergarten epitomizes this integration of education with life and nature, transcending conventional campus boundaries.
“Educational endeavors should extend beyond the confines of campuses, and knowledge acquisition should not be limited to textbooks,” remarks Yin Fei, deputy head of Nanjing Normal University’s home education research institute, emphasizing the holistic approach to education exemplified by Xuhai Road Kindergarten.
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