Zhangzonglin Kindergarten Social Curriculum Studies

ZhangZonglin is the first Chinese educationalist who has adopted a modern educational stance on the invention of systematic kindergarten social courses. ZhangZonglin's thought on kindergarten social courses was in keeping with the global educational trend at that time and has promoted the development of pre-school education in China. The theory has even thrown some light on the current kindergarten social courses.Based on a discussion of ZhangZonglin's thought on kindergarten curriculum, this paper explains his theory of social courses from three perspectives of objective, content and implementation. With strong social and artistic features, ZhangZonglin's theory and practice of his thought on kindergarten curriculum are based on the lives of children and stresses children acquire experience directly and develop in an all-round way. Zhang's thought of course design is elastic for it combines prior design and adaptation and attach importance to the change of seasons and environment. He has had his courses designed in this way because he believes that kindergarten social courses also possess these characteristics.ZhangZonglin believes that children have their own social lives and kindergarten courses are responsible for helping children expand their society to school from home. The social courses should aim at promoting an overall development of children and be focused on the cultivation of good habits. Based on theories on education and psychology, ZhangZonglin also proposes several principles that should be followed in giving social courses in kindergarten. His social courses and other kindergarten courses are closely correlated and mutually permeated.