In the series Famous Lectures by Renowned Teachers, organised by the Faculty of Education of the Open University of China (OUC) and its Department of Learning Resources, four lectures were recently given by highly qualified preschool educators. They were broadcast at the OUC from 13 to 17 October, 2020.

The four teachers involved combine extensive experience with outstanding achievements in the field of preschool education in Beijing. They focused on topics related to kindergarten teaching and the professional development of kindergarten teachers in terms of observation and instruction in guiding games and other activities, helping students understand children more scientifically, respect them, and promote their development.

Liu Jie, an academic leader in preschool education and an expert in education supervision in Beijing, was invited to give the first lecture, titled Teacher Observation and Support in Games. Her in-depth analysis covered three aspects: why kindergarten teachers should observe children playing, how they should observe them, and what they should do afterward. She also described effective ways to support the learning and development of children.

Shen Xinyan, a top teacher from Xicheng District in Beijing, was invited to deliver the second lecture, Playing Games the Smart Way: Supporting Active Learning in Children. She discussed what makes toys and games fun and how to make use of them for educational purposes so as to help children develop their interests, thinking, skills, and ability to innovate.

In the third lecture, Ma Bingxia, head of the Shijingshan branch of the kindergarten affiliated to Beijing Normal University, lectured on Organisation and Guidance of Literary Activities in Kindergartens. Starting from the essential aspects of language learning and other kinds of development in children, she referred to various works and described the characteristics, objectives, organisation and guidance of literary activities for children, so as to help kindergarten teachers clarify their pertinent teaching practices.

The last lecture was delivered by Ms. Chen Li of Beijing, director of the preschool-teaching research section of the Teachers' Research Institute of Xicheng District, and director of the China National Society for Early Childhood Education. It was titled Unleashing the Potential of Children Through Active Learning, and her aim was to get teachers to focus on the individual characteristics of children in order to make them take part actively in learning.

The lectures were broadcast simultaneously on two online platforms. In addition to OUC Preschool Education students, many preschool workers from all over the country watched the broadcasts, which have been widely praised. The lectures are also available to be replayed as needed.

By Zeng Yang and Xuan Zhangfeng, OUC