Chinese Kindergarten Daily Routines Leave TikTokers Awestruck!
By Melanie VanDerveer on April 26, 2024 at 7:36 PM EDT
Not all kindergartens are built the same.
In fact, many TikTok viewers are left in awe after witnessing some of the daily routines that Chinese kindergartens teach their young students.
Chinese Kindergarten Is Very Different Than American Kindergarten
Many people are unaware of just how structured a Chinese kindergarten class really is, but thanks to TikTok, viewers can get a glimpse into a typical day as a kindergartener in China.
TikTok account, @scenes_of_asia, shares a look at some of the things Chinese students learn in kindergarten, and for many, it's shocking and inspiring.
A video that shows "kindergarten basketball training" has more than 47 million views and 34,000 comments.
"This has got to be so good for brain development," one person said in the comments. Another added, "Fine motor skills!!!!! Teamwork!!"
Others took to the comments to share comparisons of Chinese kindergartens to other countries.
"In Australia, they just paint and play and refuse to wear hats," one person wrote. Another said, "Here I am in the US, I’m having the repeat to stop drawing on the desk 50 times and quit tattling that someone LOOKED at them."
Chinese Kindergarten Recess Is Full Of Energy And Impressive Motor Skills
In another viral video that's received more than 42 million views, a glimpse into what Chinese kindergarten recess looks like has viewers wowed!
The video shows the kids impressively crossing the monkey bars, jumping rope, bouncing a ball on a paddle, climbing ropes, and dribbling basketballs full of energy and enthusiasm.
One viewer pointed out, "Productive use of energy. No fighting, great socialization. Discipline."
Another person shared, "All of these children having fun while developing hand and eye coordination, balance, strength, concentration, synchronicity, social interaction, mobility, and keeping healthy. Awesome."
Another Video Showed What Kindergarten Basketball Competition Is Like
In another video shared on Scenes of Asia's TikTok page, viewers get to see just how a group of kindergarteners compete in basketball. The kids are seen dribbling in synchronized formations and never miss a beat. It's easy to watch this video and forget that you're watching 4 to 6-year-olds!
"I can’t even get my kindergarten class to walk in a line," one person wrote in the comments, and apparently many others could relate since the comment received 48,000 likes!
"My daughter’s kinder class had a dance performance today. They couldn’t even turn in a circle in sync," another viewer shared.
Another viewer took to the comments to say, "These kids are astounding! Not only their perfect coordination but to learn a routine of that complexity & duration! I could watch them all day!"
See full video here.
Chinese Kindergartens Also Teach Cooking Skills!
A different TikTok account, @michael26457, also shared a look into a Chinese kindergartener's day.
"Do you know what Chinese kindergartens are like? While kids in other kindergartens eat, sleep, and play games, kids in this Chinese kindergarten do laundry and cook, learning self-reliance," the video explains. "They have outdoor stoves proportionate to their height, and they make their own meals every day."
The kids wash and chop vegetables, cook the meals themselves, and enjoy their homemade meals before cleaning up.
"After eating, they voluntarily clean up and even line up to wash dishes," the video shared.
"The principal assigns tasks based on the kids' interests to foster their hands-on skills. They start working right after meals making baskets or knitting scarves for themselves, and even using sewing machines to make clothes, embroider, weave mats, and even make their beds."
Chinese Kindergarteners Are Taught Independence
As the kids get older, they learn more and more skills that help them to be independent. The older kids can cook an entire meal from scratch on their own, while the younger ones can knead dough and make pancakes.
"They even squeeze their own milk and make juice from scratch," the video continued. "From washing and cutting fruit to the final product, they do it all themselves, with teachers offering guidance."
The children also build walls with mud, do puzzles, draw, and make decorations.
"The girls can even practice makeup and hair styling, becoming professional hair stylists upon graduation," they said. "They never skip school because there's just too much to do."
The kids also face big challenges with "Special Forces style training."
