Page 24 - 維多利亞教育機構55周年紀念特刊

Programme Objective

課程目標

At Victoria Educational Organisation (VEO), we believe that it is our
mission and duty to empower the next generation of young children
in Hong Kong to become knowledgeable, socially responsible and
internationally-minded citizens. To achieve this, it is important that young
children believe in their own agency and that adults (both teachers and
parents alike) value children’s agency.

Children’s agency refers to the idea that children are intentional beings
with their own will and preferences. Specifically, children actively possess
information and construct knowledge. They can also make choices and
take action to make a positive impact on the physical and social world
around them.

When children’s agency is suppressed, children may be regarded as a
“blank slate” to be shaped passively and helplessly by external forces.
Their voices may be seen as unimportant or irrelevant. However, by
believing in their agency, children’s voices will be respected. Also, with the
guidance and facilitation of adults, children can be empowered to:

i) Learn : Learn about themselves (i.e., being), their relationships
with other people (i.e., belonging) and their capability to
adapt to and bring about changes (i.e., becoming);
ii) Love : Embrace life and cherish what they have out of love and
heightened awareness;
iii) Share : Share their thoughts and beliefs with others passionately,
confidently and responsibly with the goal of making a
positive impact on the people around them.

To support children’s journey to learn, to love and to share, in addition to
valuing children’s agency, adults need to provide rich and contextualised
learning opportunities in which children feel safe to inquire, to take risks,
to share ideas openly and to innovate. The learning opportunities provided
must be developmentally appropriate and relevant to the children’s
interests and needs. Furthermore, quality feedback must be available to
the children to encourage reflective learning and to help cultivate a growth
mindset in children. Figure one shows the relationships amongst agency,
action (learn, love and share) and attributes (knowledgeable, socially
responsible and internationally-minded) valued by VEO.

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