The COVID-19 pandemic has raised significant challenges for the education community, at the same time has offered a window into new pedagogical possibilities. Partners of The D. H. Chen Foundation, Hong Kong Repertory Theatre (“HKREP”) and The Hong Kong Education University (“EdUHK”) have newly launched a drama pedagogy support program “Happy Restart, Reunion and Resilience: Drama Pedagogy to Support Teachers’ and Children’s Return to School under and after the Pandemic” (同．樂．重．彈— 疫後幼兒回校戲劇教學支援計劃) with specially-designed teaching materials and video demonstrations available on the online resources platform (click HERE) to support preschool teachers’ and children’s “return-to-school life” during the pandemic.

Designed by HKREP Drama Education artists, the materials offer teaching plans using interactive pedagogy that encompass theories of drama, gaming and art. They are suitable for K1 to K3 level, providing teachers with practical tips to teach kids about personal hygiene in an interesting way, and to encourage them to share their feelings towards the pandemic.

Since 2017, The D. H. Chen Foundation has been partnering with HKREP and EdUHK for a three-year program “Playful Learning Program” (「戲有益」：深耕計劃) to enable preschool teachers to design, conduct and assess drama education curriculum and pedagogy on their own in future by offering them school-based training. “Happy Restart, Reunion and Resilience” is the extension program and the Foundation believes preschool teachers and children, as well as the schools will benefit from the program, and in turn bring advancements to early childhood education in the long run.