Western teaching methods expand young minds

She used the outdoor tree observation class as an example of how this can be changed. Because spring, a season of transformation is under way, the gradual changes to the area will be obvious to the children when they are next exposed to the same place. Hands-on experience leads them to reflect on the palpable changes.

Bailey says the program is adjusted to Chinese teaching methods. Reaching a common ground between Western and Chinese styles is the ultimate goal, she says.

The new teaching method is a breath of fresh air for the students, and has also won approval from their parents.

Parent Liu Xiuguo, a teacher at Tianjin University, applauded the new methods. "The new curriculum is to my son's taste. He genuinely takes to it and immerses himself in it," he says.

Liu says he recently read a survey of 21 nations that revealed that Chinese children ranked number one in calculating ability, but ranked near the bottom of the list in innovation. "The figure mirrors the problems in Chinese education where children are fed with formulas and cocooned in disciplines which stifle their enterprising flair."

Chinese teachers, led by the kindergarten's vice-director Niu Zhonghui and teacher Liu Shuang, routinely work with the two foreign teachers, discussing issues and exchanging ideas.

Tianjin University Kindergarten is not the only place using Western education programs.

Beijing's bilingual Windsor Kindergarten places much emphasis on children's individuality, striving to allow students to reveal their true talents.

Little Eton Bilingual Kindergarten in Shanghai was jointly founded by US and China educators who hope a combination of Eastern and Western culture will shape a flexible, receptive and eclectic mind in their students. It prioritizes building self-respect and self-confidence, and maximizing children's potential learning capacity and creativity through games and play.