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Experiential Learning-Oriented Reform of Art Education for Preschool Children: Focusing on the Core Competencies of Pre-Service Teachers

Author(s)

Yun Zhu1, Di Zhang2,*

Affiliation(s)

1Teacher Education College, Hechi University, Hechi, Guangxi, China 2Physical Education College, Hechi University, Hechi, Guangxi, China *Corresponding Author

Abstract

The course "Art Education for Preschool Children" is integral to preschool education, essential for developing the comprehensive skills of future educators. However, current teaching models often reveal gaps between theory and practice, limited student engagement, and inadequate development of core competencies. This study introduces a curriculum reform framework grounded in John Dewey's "learning by doing" and David Kolb's experiential learning cycle theories to address these issues. The framework aims to enhance pre-service teachers' artistic literacy, practical teaching skills, reflective abilities, and innovation. It comprises a tripartite experiential learning system: "art form experience—children's artistic behavior experience—art education process experience." A progressive teaching model, emphasizing "learning by doing, reflecting while learning, and innovating through reflection," is implemented via diverse methods, including scenario simulations, field observations, and reflective journals. Moreover, a reformed, multifaceted evaluation system prioritizes process-oriented assessment to comprehensively and dynamically assess students' learning outcomes and competency growth. The findings demonstrate that this reform initiative effectively bolsters students' learning initiative, facilitates the translation of theoretical knowledge into practical skills, and significantly enhances pre-service teachers' core competencies. This study not only delineates a systematic reform trajectory for the "Art Education for Preschool Children" course but also furnishes valuable insights for pedagogical innovation in other practice-oriented teacher education programs.

Keywords

Experiential Learning; Preschool Art Education; Curriculum Reform; Pre-Service Teachers; Core Competencies

References

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