The Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone in Fujian province and the Yu Da University of Science and Technology in Taiwan have reached a cooperative deal for preschool education on March 9th.

Based on agreements signed at the first Pingtan Cross-Straits Preschool Education Forum, the university will introduce prominent teachers to help provide preschool education guidance and training at the Pingtan Haixia Kindergarten. Pingtan will also import and pilot Taiwan's preschool courses at the kindergarten.

Meanwhile, Pingtan and Taiwan teachers will also increase communication by organizing annual exchange visits for personnel on both sides.

Preschool education in Taiwan is known for its integration of traditional cultural values and basic manners, making children respect and care about others. Experts at the forum all agreed that introducing Taiwan’s preschool courses will be a remarkably edificatory move.

The following statements are remarks taken from the forum:

Zhang Yuxing (associate professor at the Child Care and Education dept of Yu Da)

Through such a platform (of Cross-Straits Preschool Education Forum), we gain a better understanding of mainland’s development in this area and what Pingtan is trying to work at. By sharing our experiences with each other, we will make progress together.

Taiwan already places a high value on a child’s capability. But on top of a new preschool curriculum we are working out the “ren”, or benevolence, which means the education system will return to more traditional Chinese cultural values.

One of the most important things for people who live in this world is to learn how to get along with others. You have to learn how to care about, respect and love others, and yourself too. This is the core of Chinese culture and what we really want to teach our children.

Ni Minxiang (dean of the preschool education institution of the National Chengchi University in Taiwan)

The new preschool courses in Taiwan focus on six aspects: body language, knowledge, socializing, attitude, aesthetics and Chinese language. The essence of all these elements is “ren”.

We will cultivate the sense of the beauty of children and encourage creative thinking, helping them to form cultural identity and inspire them to care about the environment and other people. We’ll pass down those values through everyday interaction.

Feng Linlin (Principal of the Chengguan Kindergarten in Pingtan)

Taiwan’s preschool courses are more appropriate to the child’s age and interests, mixed with traditional culture. Pingtan can learn from Taiwan’s experience in this field. I also suggest that the local government make new teaching materials for children.

Wu Chunning (a parent in Pingtan)

The last kindergarten my child went to paid more attention to academic performance. The current one dedicates more time to outdoor activities in a bid to make them learn knowledge through playing, all the while enhancing their everyday life skills.

I’ve heard that Taiwan’s preschool education system emphasizes more on caring about others. So the children are well behaved and more respectful of others’ feelings.

I hope Pingtan can bring in Taiwan’s preschool curriculum, especially the psychology and creative-thinking classes.