A Gesture of Respect—An Investigation into Learning and Teaching through the Arts within a Chinese Preschool Setting

Abstract

In a global community cross-cultural research has taken on increased significance as educationalists grapple with diverse values and meanings. In recognising this need, the University of Melbourne's Early Learning Centre has established a collaborative agreement with the Tianjin Preschool Normal School, Tianjin, China. It aims to support cross-cultural research and a future teacher exchange program. As part of the agreement this initial study was undertaken over a one-week period in 1997. It uses diverse data to investigate and describe learning and teaching through the arts in the Tianjin Preschool Normal School Kindergarten.

This collaborative experience has demonstrated a willingness by the Chinese to involve themselves in cross-cultural research which contributes to the international discourse on early childhood theory and practice. It has also drawn further attention to the significance of learning and teaching through the arts and adds to the debate on teacher directed and skills based learning.