Anji Play (Chinese: 安吉游戏) is an early childhood curriculum designed by Cheng Xueqin,[1] Director, Office of Pre-Primary Education, Anji County Department of Education, Zhejiang Province. The key elements that make up Anji Play are its pedagogy, site-specific environments, unique materials and integrated technology. The focus of the program is the participating children's self-determination in choosing what, where, and with whom to play and the role of the teacher as observer, particularly in instances of physical risk.[2] Anji Play is the full-time curriculum of all public kindergartens in Anji County.[3]
 | |
| Inventor(s) | Cheng Xueqin |
|---|---|
| Company | Anji Play World |
| Country | China |
| Availability | 2014–present |
| Slogan | Love, Risk, Joy, Engagement, Reflection |
| Official website | |
History
editOrigin
editIn 1989, China signed United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Article 31 recognizes "the rights of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts."[4]
In 1996, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China released the "Standards for Kindergarten Education." It views play in kindergarten as a "foundational activity to be included in every type of educational activity" – i.e. play is a must in education.[5]
Starting in 2001, Anji Play was entirely developed outside of the influence of Western educational philosophy,[6] though the program’s tenets and the methods used to develop it share resemblances with Montessori[7][8] and Froebel. Although Anji Play’s initial development met resistance from parents, a parent outreach program was implemented to teach the value of play in education.
Expansion
editToday Anji Play is internationally recognized as an early-childhood curriculum[8][9][10] used in 130 public kindergartens in Anji County, China. It has expanded internationally and is being adapted in the United States beginning with One City Early Learning Centers in Madison, Wisconsin[11] and by the Madison Public Library.[12][13]
Philosophy
editIn Anji Play’s current implementation, children have at least two hours of free play every day. Play environments are outdoors with minimal structuring, and simple tools made of natural materials (i.e., ropes, light bamboo ladders, basic clay pots) are provided as toys, instead of objects sold and marketed as toys. During play time, teachers observe, document, and act as parallel participants.
Anji Play is composed of simple tools made of natural materials such as clay pots, ropes, light bamboo ladders and other everyday objects like barrels and tires.[14] Children in the Anji Play environment interact with these objects to create their own playground govern by their own rules. Inherently through Anji Play, children collaborate develop social and motor skills in order to play.[15]
Adults and instructors are advised to not intervene and instruct, but to observe. From an outside perspective, instructors are taught to trust the children and understand how children navigate conflict and collaboration.[16]
This style of non-instructed play defines the phrase '"True Play"'. Anji Play outlines the True Play philosophy in several categories[17] (split between "Children's Rights" and "Teacher/adult responsibilities"):
- Self-Determined Play
- Time and Space
- Reflection
- Expression
- Materials
- Environments
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "安吉县人民政府 安吉骄傲候选人物——程学琴：带领"安吉游戏"走向国际". anji.gov.cn. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ "The Politics of True Play with Cheng Xueqin (Learning at the Library)". vialogues.com. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ "中国学前教育研究会".
- ^ "A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child" (PDF). unicef.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-02-13. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
- ^ Samuelsson, Ingrid, Play and Learning in Early Childhood Settings: International Perspectives (2008) p.180-184.
- ^ "人民日报海外版-人民网". people.com.cn. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ coffino, jesse (21 March 2016). "The 21st Century Maria Montessori is Changing China, We Should All Be Paying Attention". medium.com. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ a b "Program Director Encourages Early Childhood Play". www.gse.upenn.edu. Penn Graduate School of Education. August 25, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
(Penn GSE Senior Fellow Frances Rust) Rust found many similarities to the Montessori method she was trained in. Rust's panel outlined the ways children learn through play. She arrived with a presentation focused on images from American schools, but was delighted to adopt examples from her observations in Anji.
- ^ ""安吉游戏"：缘何风靡欧美-光明日报-光明网". gmw.cn. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ Julie Nicholson (organizer). "Learn About AnjiPlay". www.eventbrite.com. Eventbrite. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
Mills College School of Education, Center for Play Research and WestEd's Center for Child and Family Studies invite you to learn about Anji Play! (And earn 3 hours of professional growth hours by attending. Certificates will be available same day).
- ^ "One City » It's Official!". onecityearlylearning.org. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ Makers, Library (15 June 2016). "library makers: Let the Wild Rumpus Start!". librarymakers.blogspot.com. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ "A Wild Rumpus [in the park!] Alicia Ashman Library 06/21/2016 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm". www.madisonpubliclibrary.org. Madison Public Library. Archived from the original on June 12, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
The library will provide special Anji Play equipment to inspire your children's imagination.
- ^ "Anji Play China - Cas Holman". casholman.com. Archived from the original on 14 August 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ "专题：什么是安吉游戏？中美专家的对话". Archived from the original on 2016-08-06. Retrieved 2016-06-16.
- ^ "浙江日报".
- ^ "Philosophy". anjiplay.com. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.