• Equipping students with professional knowledge and skills in early childhood education (including teaching students with diverse educational needs)

• Providing a 18-hour practical skills workshop and 10-week supervised practice and field experience in kindergartens, nurseries, special child care centres, and early education and training centres

• Nurturing students’ insight with professional seminars by early childhood educators including professors, principals, educational psychologists and therapists

• Preparing students to become registered early childhood education workers in Hong Kong

• Providing opportunities for students to establish industrial connections in local early childhood education sector

• To provide students with the academic and professional training in early childhood education and special education

• To prepare students to develop their future career in education related industries

• To equip students with child development knowledge and skills in planning and implementing early childhood curricula and programmes

• To assist students to perform competently as reflective early childhood educators

• To train students with the intervention strategies and techniques for supporting students with special educational needs

• communicate effectively in both spoken and written English and Chinese languages required for further studies and career pursuit;

• integrate and apply theories, skills and practical experience effectively to the workplace;

• demonstrate the understanding of cultural, social, economic, political, ethical, behavioral, environmental, scientific, technology and international issues and factors affecting the development of early childhood education;

• apply the knowledge and skills in designing, planning, implementing and evaluating early childhood education curriculum;

• apply the knowledge and skills for engaging parents and caregivers in children's early education;

• demonstrate a mastery of practical skills and knowledge to identify and solve problems associated with children with diverse needs and to work with their families; and

• update themselves with knowledge and skills in early childhood education through continuous and autonomous learning, and reflective practice.

General Education (12 Credits)

• General English

• English for Oral Academic Communication

• Chinese Language (Putonghua) for Communication I

• Chinese Language (Putonghua) for Communication II

Programme Specific Courses (60 Credits)

• Introduction to Early Childhood Education

• Child Development

• Social and Emotional Development in Infancy and Early Childhood

• Children’s Health and Safety

• Parent-School Partnership

• Introduction to Guidance and Counselling

• Curriculum Design for Early Childhood Education I (General)

• Curriculum Design for Early Childhood Education II (Curriculum contents, learning areas and objectives)

• Curriculum Design for Early Childhood Education III (Children’s generic skills and global perspectives)

• Evaluation of Early Childhood Curriculum

• Implementation of Early Childhood Curriculum

• Methodology in Educational Research and Assessment

• Introduction to Students with Special Educational Needs

• Development of Rehabilitation Services for Children with Diverse Needs

• Education for Children with Diverse Needs

• Observation, Assessment and Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Children with Diverse Needs

• Skills and Practice for Teaching Children with Diverse Needs

• Educational Management in Early Childhood Settings

• Fieldwork Practice I

• Fieldwork Practice II

Programme Specific Workshop

• Skills Enhancement Workshop for Early Childhood Education

Apart from Chinese courses and courses which require students to have working knowledge of Chinese, all courses are normally taught in English.
 

Graduates are eligible to apply for admission to the local or overseas Bachelor’s Degree programmes, such as:

• Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education, The Open University of Hong Kong

• Bachelor of Education with Honours in Early Childhood Education (Leadership and Special Educational Needs), The Open University of Hong Kong

• Bachelor of Social Sciences in Psychology, City University of Hong Kong

• Bachelor of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong

• Bachelor of Education, The University of Hong Kong

• Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Early Childhood Education, The Education University of Hong Kong

• Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Psychology, The Education University of Hong Kong

• Teacher at Local/International Kindergartens

• Child Care Workers

• Child Care Supervisors

• Special Child Care Workers

• Playgroup Tutors at Private Enterprises

• Graduates are eligible for registration as a qualified kindergarten teacher with a Certificate in Early Childhood Education [C(ECE)] under Education Bureau (EDB), and Child Care Worker (CCW), Special Child Care Worker (SCCW) and Child Care Supervisor (CCS) qualifications under Social Welfare Department (SWD).

STEAM Education Activity - Adhesive Tape Game

Seminar on the Importance of Toys for Children Development

A professional seminar by Ms. Karen Wong, Founder of K's Kids, was arranged for students of Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education on 10 May 2019.  She promoted quality toys and teaching aids for nurturing child development for the age of 0-6 especially the professional training kits about sensory stimulations.  The kits are designed purposefully to facilitate children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Sensory Integration or Autism Spectrum Disorder.
 
During the seminar, our students manipulated the training kits and their professional knowledge was enriched for preparing further study in Special Educational Needs courses.

 

Visiting Central Resources Centre of Education Bureau

Apart from the Learning Resources Centre at LIFE, students are able to explore different kinds of learning resources to support their learning as well.  Visits to Central Resources Centre of Education Bureau were arranged for students of Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education on 10, 17 and 26 April 2019.   They could better understand the teaching and learning support to teachers by Education Bureau.  They also joined the workshop to practice how to search relative resources for their further teaching career.

10 April 2019

 

17 April 2019

 

26 April 2019

 

Visiting Avendale International Kindergarten

A visit to Avendale International Kindergarten was arranged for Year 1 students of Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education on 9 April 2019.  Students could experience strong sensory stimulation environment under authentic settings.  They were keen to observe so as to understand more about applying the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) and the environment assessment tools to assess the quality of learning environment.  This visit helped the students to facilitate their study in discussing correlations between children social and emotional development and early childhood education settings.

Hoop Dance Workshop

Hoop Dance performer Grace was invited to conduct a Hoop Dance workshop for students of Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education together with kindergarten children on 22 February 2019.  Our students learned the skills of having dancing experiences with kindergarten children by enjoying hoop dance and the movement.  They also led the children to dance, play imagination games and cooperative competition with hula hoops.

 

Seminar on “Essentials of Play in Curricular to Empower Children’s Learning Through Play"

A seminar organized by Lingnan Institute of Further Education and New Territories School Heads Association was arranged for early childhood education workers and students on 4 March 2019 regarding the essentials of play in curricula.  4 professional guest speakers were invited to share the importance of play and activities to empower children’s learning through play.
 
Mrs. Sharon Auri, Founder and Managing Director of the International Childcare and Education Centre (ICEC), and Mrs. Emma McArthur-Mortell, Manager of ICEC, shared the use of creative high-scope method to implement the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in United Kingdom and the Early Childhood Education and Care system (ECEC) in Finland in the curriculum of ICEC Kindergartens.
 
On the other hand, Mr. Ralph Yau pointed out the importance of the balance of play and work.  Mr. Yau is the Founder of Hong Kong Montessori Research and Development Association, Director and Teacher Trainer of American Montessori Society, and Founder-cum-Principal of Infinity Montessori Academy.  Through starting the parent education since 2006, he has served over thirty thousand families in Hong Kong and greater China.  The participants had a lot to benefit from his professional sharing.
 
At last, Ms. Ada Wong, Manager of Playright Children's Play Association, introduced and promoted the free play concept in Hong Kong preschools in order to expose all participates to the essentials of free play for young children and how teachers empower children’s learning through play.
 
In Hong Kong, Curriculum Development Council from Education Bureau had published the Kindergarten Education Curriculum Guide in 2017 and it promotes learning through play and strengthening the element of free exploration in play as well.  Therefore, this seminar successfully provided useful and up-to date information to all early childhood and students.

 

Introduction to Early Rehabilitation Services and Practical Sharing by Hong Kong Christian Services

A professional seminar by Hong Kong Christian Services Tuen Mun Early Education and Training Centre was arranged for Year 2 students of Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education on 27 February 2019.
 
Ms. Lam Mei Tin, Social Worker, and Ms. Ng Choi Mei, Deputy Supervisor and Senior Special Child Care Worker, introduced the rehabilitation services in early education and training centre.  They also shared the practical training skills for young children with special educational needs such as autism spectrum disorder, speech delay and dyslexia, etc.  Students were encouraged to join their service team as well.

 

Forum on Parenting Needs for Family of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Disorders or Delays in Hong Kong

Students of Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education attended the Forum on Parenting Needs for Family of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Disorders or Delays in Hong Kong on 26 January 2019 at the University of Hong Kong.  They gained insights and sharing from evidence-based practices of early intervention for children in need and parenting needs for those families.

Beijing-Hong Kong Kindergarten Teachers Professional Training and Exchange Programme

3 student of Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education were selected to participate the Beijing-Hong Kong Kindergarten Teachers Professional Training and Exchange Programme, organized by the Committee of GAPSK, from 13 to 17 December 2018.  They had visited Beijing Normal University and attended the thematic seminar conducted by Prof. Wang Yuying from Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University. 

They also got the opportunity to demonstrate teaching activities to Renmin University of China Chaoyang Kindergarten (Shaoyaoyuan) and Beijing Mianhua Hutong Kindergarten (Huilongguan).  It was definitely a fruitful trip for students to exchange professional knowledge with Beijing kindergarten teachers.

 

Circle Painting Workshop

Mr. Hiep Cao Nguyen, Founder and Executive Director of Circle Painting, was invited to conduct a circle painting workshop for students of Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education on 30 October 2018.  Students were stimulated in nurturing young children’s sense of aesthetic through the arts journey.