It was not popular with the parents when kindergarten principal Lu Fang in Henan province in central China in 2019 proposed to dig up the kindergarten's artificial outdoor areas and replace them with soil and soil only. However, as said so done. The decision was a bit too much for some of the parents, and 58 of the children disappeared from kindergarten. Yet Lu Fang was confident in her decision, and today children are on the waiting list to rake, dig, play with water, soil and grass at Qixingxing Kindergarten in Luoyang.

Inspiration from Northern Funen, Denmark

The idea arose after a stay at Nordfyns Højskole (Northern Funen Folk High School) and visits to Danish kindergartens. Lu Fang tells in a WeChat article how the visit to Denmark made her reflect on the view of children and the way they go to kindergarten. She decided on three things:

First, she wanted to transform the kindergarten's artificial out door areas into nature with rocks, water, soil and plants. Next, she wanted to incorporate many more nature experiences into everyday life, introduce the children to nature's opportunities, dangers and challenges and incorporate nature courses into the kindergarten's curriculum.

Third, she wanted to focus on more magical and adventurous activities - including developing Hans Christian Andersen's Fantasy Journey in Qixing Kindergarten. On a visit to Skt. Klemens Kindergarten in Odense in Denmark, she had experienced how the children improvised and played Andersen’s fairy tale “The Tinder-box”.

Happier children

Today, all three things are implemented. Chinese kindergarten children run around barefoot, enjoying the sun and are outside even when it is cold and wet. Lu Fang herself says that a dream has come true, and she experiences happier children with stars in their eyes.