Play and ECEC practices in China
References to the importance of play in Chinese early years literature can be found as far back as 1923, when educationalist Chen Heqin developed a 15-point model for the work of kindergartens. References to play also appeared repeatedly in the first national guideline for Kindergarten Education, the Beijing Municipal Guideline for Kindergarten education explain that Kindergarten should pay attention to ‘what society wants and expects children to grow up to be and to children’s physical and psychological development and needs’. Within the parameters of society’s hopes and expectations of what young Chinese children will become, play is also expected to permeate all activities ,in each and every aspect of the lives of three and four year olds’. Teachers are advised that play must underpin activities in the work of kindergarten