Early Childhood Education (Taught in Chinese)

No.

Research Direction

Research Scope

Young Children’s Development and Education

Research on young children’s motor, linguistic, cognitive, emotional, social and cultural development; studies on biological mechanisms, brain science mechanisms and neuroeducation related to child development.

Fundamental Theories of Early Childhood

Education

Research on basic principles and core issues of early childhood education, history and comparative studies of early childhood education, family and community-based early childhood education, and early childhood moral education; special attention is paid to equity in early childhood education and inclusive early childhood education.

Early Childhood Curriculum and Play

Research on theories and practices of early childhood curriculum, curriculum reform and domain-based curriculum teaching; research on the design and guidance of young children’s play and the construction of play environments.

Early Childhood Teacher Education and

Professional Development

Research on the reform of early childhood teacher education, comparative teacher education, professional ethics of early childhood teachers, and theories and practices concerning teachers’ professional growth.

Early Childhood Education Policy,

Administration and Evaluation

Evidence-based research on early childhood education policies, reform and development of early childhood education undertakings, administration of early childhood institutions; evaluation covering overall quality of early childhood institutions, curriculum evaluation, teacher evaluation, assessment of children’s learning and development, as well as regional evaluation of early childhood education development.

Children’s Culture and Arts Education

Research on integrated arts education for children, design and development of children’s toys and cultural products (e.g., animations), operation of children’s cultural industries, and children’s art therapy.

Care and Education for Infants Aged 0–3

Theoretical research on infant development, childcare environments and curricula, professional literacy of childcare practitioners, infant social interaction, and international comparative research on infant care services.

Early Childhood Education (Taught in Chinese)

I. Discipline & Program Overview

The discipline of Early Childhood Education at Zhejiang Normal University originated from relevant majors of Zhejiang Infant Normal School founded in 1953, with a development history of over 60 years.In 2005, it obtained the authorization to confer Master’s degrees in Early Childhood Education. In 2007, it recruited the first cohort of full-time academic postgraduates majoring in Early Childhood Education, and Early Childhood Education was designated one of the first National Featured Majors. In 2011, postgraduate admission commenced for Developmental and Educational Psychology as well as full-time professional postgraduates of Early Childhood Education. In 2013, the discipline was approved to grant doctoral degrees. A Postdoctoral Research Station was established in 2014. In 2016, it was recognized as a Zhejiang provincial first-class discipline. An overseas postgraduate training base was set up in Singapore, where the first batch of Master’s students in Early Childhood Education were enrolled. This constitutes the first officially approved overseas education program among universities in Zhejiang Province.In 2018, the program began admitting Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) students. At present, the discipline has 24 supervisors for academic master’s students, including 5 professors, 17 associate professors and 2 lecturers, all holding doctoral degrees. An academic team featuring comprehensive research areas, clear priorities and distinctive disciplinary characteristics has been formed. Its major research areas include young children’s development and education, fundamental theories of early childhood education, early childhood curriculum and play, early childhood teacher education and professional development, early childhood education policy, administration and evaluation, children’s culture and arts education, and care and education for infants aged 0–3. Among them, three research teams focusing on young children’s development and education, early childhood curriculum and teaching, as well as early childhood education evaluation have achieved remarkable academic outcomes and exert extensive social influence. The discipline has established long-term collaborative partnerships with scholars from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and other countries.

II. Duration of Study

The program has a standard duration of 3 years, with a maximum study period not exceeding 5 years.

III. Research Directions

No.	Research Direction	Research Scope
1	Young Children’s Development and Education	Research on young children’s motor, linguistic, cognitive, emotional, social and cultural development; studies on biological mechanisms, brain science mechanisms and neuroeducation related to child development.
2	Fundamental Theories of Early Childhood Education	Research on basic principles and core issues of early childhood education, history and comparative studies of early childhood education, family and community-based early childhood education, and early childhood moral education; special attention is paid to equity in early childhood education and inclusive early childhood education.
3	Early Childhood Curriculum and Play	Research on theories and practices of early childhood curriculum, curriculum reform and domain-based curriculum teaching; research on the design and guidance of young children’s play and the construction of play environments.
4	Early Childhood Teacher Education and Professional Development	Research on the reform of early childhood teacher education, comparative teacher education, professional ethics of early childhood teachers, and theories and practices concerning teachers’ professional growth.
5	Early Childhood Education Policy, Administration and Evaluation	Evidence-based research on early childhood education policies, reform and development of early childhood education undertakings, administration of early childhood institutions; evaluation covering overall quality of early childhood institutions, curriculum evaluation, teacher evaluation, assessment of children’s learning and development, as well as regional evaluation of early childhood education development.
6	Children’s Culture and Arts Education	Research on integrated arts education for children, design and development of children’s toys and cultural products (e.g., animations), operation of children’s cultural industries, and children’s art therapy.
7	Care and Education for Infants Aged 0–3	Theoretical research on infant development, childcare environments and curricula, professional literacy of childcare practitioners, infant social interaction, and international comparative research on infant care services.

IV. Supervisor Directory

https://hys.zjnu.edu.cn/szdw/list.htm

V. Degree Courses

Introduction to Educational Research Methods, Principles of Education, Theories of Child Development, Philosophy of Children’s Education, Academic Norms and Thesis Writing, etc.