Introducing Folk Art to Young Children
Experience of an Innovative Paper-Cutting Project in Chinese Kindergartens
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22420745 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Zhijing Wang (0000-0002-3146-1673, University of Hong Kong, corresponding author), Kayla M Wong (0000-0002-3296-714X), Kit Mei Betty Wong, Bingyue Yao (Beijing Institute of Education) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Publication date | 2026-05-19 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Early Childhood Education Journal (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1082-3301 • E-ISSN: 1573-1707 |
| Publisher | Springer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10643-026-02246-0 |
| OpenAlex | W7161623059 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 20 |
Art plays a significant role in children’s lives. Studies into art practices in early childhood settings have provided valuable implications for high-quality art curricula and pedagogy. These practices are characterized by encouraging free expression and meaning-making through art. However, teachers have reported that it is challenging to engage children in meaningful art experiences within a highly structured, test-driven curriculum. In the article, we address the current needs of art education in the Chinese context. In response to the needs, we present a child-centered approach to teach folk art through a bottom-up innovation of the art curriculum in Chinese kindergartens: The Freehand Paper-cutting Project. Through the exploration of this project, we offer three examples to demonstrate how the project was implemented. We discuss the three cases in a reflection of children’s learning process and teachers’ roles. Through the discussion, we emphasize the importance of balancing the play-based and meaning-making ideology with product-based and skill-based curricula. The article aims to bring insights to practitioners who are interested in introducing folk art to their classrooms.
Art criticism · Art methodology · Curriculum · Curriculum development · Early childhood education · Ideology · Sociology of Education · Visual arts education · Art Education and Development · Art Therapy and Mental Health · Art, Technology, and Culture
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| Highly cited | No |
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