Studies On Physical Education Of Kindergarten-Based Curriculum In Macao

The policy of free education for kindergartens in Macao is now fully implemented. It confirms that the kindergarten is the foundation of lifelong education and requires that the quality of kindergarten education should be improved continuously. Against the background of global education and curriculum reform, the study attempts to undertake positivistic research into the physical education (PE) program of kindergarten-based curriculum development (KBCD) in Macao. Different kinds of research methods, including a survey, theoretical analysis and case studies are proposed. Furthermore, this study puts forward reasonable, effective, and feasible models of the PE program of KBCD in Macao with examples for reference so as to strengthen its theory and practice.The purpose of the survey is to better understand teachers, documents of the PE program and young children. The findings reveal that the PE program of KBCD in Macao is simple in its contents, goals, and teaching methods, without adequate class time, outdoor sports space, and outdoor activities. All of which have caused certain problems in guaranteeing both physical and psychological developments of our young children. Despite the right and obligation to develop and design their PE programs of KBCD, without adequate training and support and yet with a heavy workload (e.g. class time and the teacher-student ratio), teachers may find it difficult to think thoroughly before developing and improving curricula scientifically and reasonably. It is also impossible for them to enhance the PE program of KBCD effectively and continuously. On the other hand, the child fitness test has created a valid and reliable measuring tool with the coefficient of reliability (α=0.82). There are six subscales in this test. The findings show that the sport-related fitness of young children in Macao can increase and strengthen with age, demonstrating a great disparity in comparison with other areas. The tool can also be used for examining the effectiveness of the PE program of KBCD. Thus every kindergarten may be encouraged to use this tool so as to help teachers better understand the fitness of their kindergarten children.In theoretical analysis, after consulting a large number of documents, the study has found that lifelong sport and good health are two guiding principles of the PE program of KBCD in Macao when developing the vision based on the humanistic curriculum of"living with sport"for the PE program of KBCD. Which is built on the basis of early childhood education in Macao, borrowing the experiences of the PE programs of KBCD of the UK, the US, Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China for reference, as well as creating the procedures for developing the program during the stages of preparation, design, implementation, evaluation and popularization.To bridge theory and practice, to understand the establishment of the PE program of KBCD in Macao, the study tries to identify the trends of globalization, localization and individualization in constructing the PE program of KBCD, including its goals, contents, general plan, and assessment with close attention paid to curriculum management in accordance with the idea of"living with sport". Using idea of constructivism, it develops the contents based on motor learning and designs the game teaching method with better structure, organization and fun, in order to help relieve problems like, among it others, lack of class time, long waiting time in games, lack of practice and shortage of staff. It is also proposed that the teacher should decide the ways of assessment of PE learning of young children, and effectively combine curriculum management with teaching reflection. Through two case studies, the research discusses the PE program of KBCD, with close attention paid to the influence and factors in development, implementation and management. The case studies prove that the PE program of KBCD can help teachers understand the principles of"good health by education"and"learning through PE".In addition, teachers participate in decision making at the preparatory stage, construct the contents in the design stage, and evaluate the program in the implementation stage with reflection of teaching.It is suggested that our education department should guide the PE program of KBCD with recommendations for putting theory into practice, specify the learning goals with age levels of movement development, and provide systematic and clear teaching material for reference. The most important thing is to introduce the policy of increasing the daily PE class time. At the same time, it is also suggested that the work of developing the PE teaching material should be both scientific and meaningful. For more successful implementation in Macao, KBCD as a whole has to involve renewing teachers'notions of teaching, empowering teachers and helping them build up confidence and improve their teaching.