This study examined the relationships between leadership practices, professional learning communities, teachers’ efficacy beliefs and perceptions of whole-child development in the context of kindergarten education. A sample of 2120 teachers from 153 Hong Kong kindergartens participated in a questionnaire survey. The results showed that principals’ leadership practices had significant effects on all five professional learning community components. Leadership practices were also positively related to teachers’ perceptions of whole-child development directly and indirectly through the mediation of three professional learning community components, namely a shared sense of purpose, collaborative activities and a collective focus on children’s learning. Moreover, three professional learning community components (i.e. a collective focus on children’s learning, deprivatized practice and reflective dialogue) were positively associated with teachers’ perceptions of whole-child development via their efficacy beliefs. The findings support the mediating role of professional learning communities in developing kindergarten teachers’ collaboration for improving their efficacy beliefs and perceptions of the whole-child development of children. Kindergarten principals play a key role in cultivating a supportive culture and facilitating teacher learning.

In Hong Kong, play-based learning has been highlighted in the latest curriculum guide in 2017. While adopting ‘child-centredness’ as the core value of kindergarten education can enrich children’s play experiences. However, little emphasis has been placed on how young children perceive play-based learning in the classroom. The aim of this qualitative research is to reveal young children’s unique perceptions of what play means to them. Data were collected through non-participant observation during delivery of a play-based learning curriculum in class and post-observation focus group interviews with the children whose classes had been observed. An interpretive method is employed to divulge their perceptions. Cross-analysis of the observation data and the children’s statements shows how the children perceived play and how they determined playfulness. Combining data from interviews and classroom observations, findings reflected the lack of consistency between what children described as play and how teachers practiced play-based activities in classes. This study evoked the concern for teachers in making developmentally appropriate pedagogical choice to engage children in learning through play. The importance of respecting children’s feelings about playfulness and teachers’ role in ensuring quality learning experiences is discussed.

This study explores kindergarten teachers’ beliefs about and practices of play-based learning with a focus on the mediation of teachers’ capacity building with designing a play curriculum. Quantitative data are collected through a questionnaire with three cohort samples of 90 kindergartens who participated in a university-school partnership project. The data drawn from the first and second cohort years of 50 kindergartens are examined by Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to ensure reliability and validity of the constructs. The third cohort year data from 40 kindergartens are used for examining the mediation effect. Results reveal that teacher beliefs are significantly associated with their pedagogical practices of play-based learning and their perceptions of whole-child development. Capacity building of teachers to practice a play-based learning curriculum partially mediates these associations and exhibits a strong association. Such capacities refer to teachers being able to design and adjust a play-based learning curriculum based on school background and developmental needs of children. Findings have significant practical implications for teacher education and professional development by strengthening relevant capacities.