How Is the Arts and Creativity Learning Area Perceived in Hong Kong? An Interview Study of Preschool Stakeholders' Perspectives (Poster 57)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Two
  In Poster Session: Priorities in Arts Education: Who and What Stakeholders Have Valued

Abstract

Globalization has influenced preschool education in Hong Kong, where the official curriculum framework has integrated the Western notion of creativity with the arts. However, little is known about how local stakeholders perceive this notion and its viability in practice. We interviewed 50 stakeholders to understand their perspectives on the Arts and Creativity learning area. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were conducted. Findings showed that stakeholders: (1) perceived most Western pedagogical characteristics as important but not viable; (2) expressed that preschools fostered children’s arts creativity to a moderate and low/null extent; (3) suggested strategies to maximize children’s arts creativity focusing on parental education and curricular amendments. This study reveals the need to better define the notion of creativity in Hong Kong.

Authors

• Cheuk Lam Yeung, Education University of Hong Kong
  Presenting Author

• Alfredo Bautista, The Education University of Hong kong
  Presenting Author