The development of a person is fast, especially during the first three years of his/her life, and what happens during those three years will influence one's development throughout his/her life. Providing a well-planned education to children at an early age is helpful for their development.

Huzhou Women's Federation and Huzhou Loving Mothers Association, in May 2019, initiated the Tongmengjiayuan Neighborhood Early Education Project, to offer free, community-based early education courses. The project, a trial, promotes the integration of family education in community-based education in Huzhou, a city in East China's Zhejiang Province.

Innovative Pattern

Wang Liya, head of Huzhou Loving Mothers Association, tells Women of China the Tongmengjiayuan Neighborhood Early Education Project offers a social platform to children, and provides guidance on children's early development to their parents and other caregivers.

"With communities as our bases, we have an experts' team to teach early education courses, and we recruit teachers, from nearby kindergartens and early education institutions, as volunteers. Some residents voluntarily help maintain order and ensure security when we conduct activities," says Wang. "We organize training for all social workers and volunteers involved in the project, and we hold meetings to regularly review our work. The service pattern is unified in every project site, so it can be copied and promoted."

The project offers courses in children's development, in various aspects; it provides guidance on parenting and family education; and, it organizes outdoor activities. All courses are designed based on the practical experiences of early education teachers, and the courses are managed through big data. Participants can register for courses on WeChat, and they can give comments on the courses.

The project in 2019 was named an outstanding volunteer service project by the municipal government of Huzhou.

Improving Family Education Skills

The Tongmengjiayuan Neighborhood Early Education Project has organized more than 200 offline activities, 20 experts' lectures and 30 online courses in its six sites in Huzhou.

Li Yuan (pseudonym), a resident in Shanshuixincheng Community, in South Taihu New Area, in Huzhou, says the project has been very beneficial to her, especially when it comes to child rearing. As she lacked experience in taking care of her son, she asked her parents for help. Soon, she realized her parents had spoiled her son, and as a result he was often naughty and unwilling to communicate with others. She had to resign her job to stay home and raise her son by herself. Li often felt helpless, especially when she encountered problems educating her son. Everything began to change after she was introduced to the Tongmengjiayuan project.

Members of the experts' team, especially those who specialized in children psychology, advised Li on how to deal with her son.

"The experts' advice has made child raising easier for me, through teaching me many good methods. My son has become more willing to listen to me, and to make friends," says Li.

Because young parents are often occupied with work, it is common for them to ask their parents to help raise their children. The older generation raised and educated children in a different way than does the younger generation, and that can lead to conflicts in families. That's why the project's organizer has developed many family education courses for parents and grandparents.

Aunt Chen, a resident of Shimo Community, in Huzhou, takes care of her grandson when her son and daughter-in-law are at work. Before attending the project's courses, she and her grandson mainly stayed at home. During the courses, she learned the importance of proper early education, and some new ways of educating children. "Now, my grandson can read picture books, and he likes painting. He shares with his parents what he has learned during the project's courses," Chen says.

The Tongmengjiayuan Neighborhood Early Education Project, through its family education camps and one-on-one counseling service, helps residents improve family education skills, and helps families become more harmonious, says Wang.

The project has become a part of life for many residents in Huzhou. "The number of places available for our activities is limited. Every time residents need to register fast to get a place. We have learned the real needs of residents from their enthusiasm for the activities. Many communities in Huzhou have invited us to implement the project. We hope we will bring our services to more residents and their families," Wang says.

Photos Supplied by Interviewee

(Women of China English Monthly May 2022 issue)