Play and cultural transition

In many countries, early childhood educators have to confront the issue of how to assist immigrant children adapt to life in a new context. For example, in 2007-08, 44 771 children aged 0- 14 years old came to Australia with their familes to start life afresh (Australian Government 2009). Countries need to put into place policies and Practices that minimise the dislocation that immigrant families and their children face. Knowledge of what other countries are doing to educationally support immigrant children can assist professionals to better understand what is sound practice and what should be avoided. This chapter discusses some of the identified immigration issues of a small sample of Chinese children who have PMR parents/caregivers in Hong Kong. This chapter also examines how the
role of play in early childhood settings can help immigrant children adjust to their new teaching and learning context. Seven early childhood teachers and the principal of a local childcare centre were invited to participate in a small scalc study that is reported on in this chapter. Using convenience sampling, interviews were conducted for qualitative data collection.