An exploration of the participation of kindergarten-aged Hong Kong children in extra curricular activities

Abstract

In this study, we used a mixed-methods research design to investigate the extra curricular participation of kindergarten-aged Hong Kong children, based on reports provided by 1260 parents, and parents’ perceptions of their children’s extra curricular participation, through nine individual interviews. The results of the survey indicated that kindergarten-aged Hong Kong children are regularly and extensively involved in extra curricular activities, and that children with more educated parents and children from families with higher incomes participate in more extra curricular activities. The interview responses revealed that, in general, the parents believe that extra curricular participation provides their children with opportunities for positive development that are beyond the scope of the training provided by kindergartens. We discuss the implications of these findings for parent education and Hong Kong’s policy of subsidizing kindergarten education.