The ideological slogan of the latest drafted reform document for early childhood education in Hong Kong in July 2016 is, “Joyful Learning Through Play: Balanced Development All the Way.” Based on this ideological slogan, this article “Ideology of Joyful Learning Through Play in Early Childhood Classroom in Hong Kong: Misconceptions or Paradoxes?” discusses the myth and reality of play and its underlying child-centeredness philosophy in the early childhood classroom in Hong Kong. Practical examples would be drawn to compare with the literature review on play and the drafted reform document and to identify any misconceptions and paradoxes that exist. The findings and implications discussed would help readers look at the issue of equity and equality confronting religious-affiliated schools in Hong Kong if the play curriculum and its allied child-centeredness philosophy are to be applied in the reform process.
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