Second, some kindergartens try to impose primary school lessons on their pupils because of the existing education system. Although the education authorities have reformed senior high school and college entrance examinations, students still get entry into colleges on the basis of their academic performance. As a result, many primary schools focus on teaching only the subjects that are included in entrance exams, which influences the teaching pattern from kindergartens to high schools.

Little wonder then that students in China begin preparing for the college entrance exam right from their preschool days. In fact, many parents want to get their children admitted to kindergartens that also teach primary school subjects. This is a vicious circle, which students, teachers and parents can come out of only when pluralistic evaluation replaces the exam-oriented evaluation method.

A big question is: How can the teaching quality of kindergartens be evaluated if they are banned from teaching primary school subjects? Kindergartens should come up with new preschool education ideas to improve children's cognitive capability and develop their personalities. Perhaps they should introduce a peer evaluation mechanism, judging children's adaptability, endurance and dedication from the games and other peer-related activities they indulge in.

To ensure children have a happy childhood, we have to provide them with a healthy environment by further reforming the education system. It's hard to get rid of primary school-style kindergartens by only passing regulations. Surprise inspections by the education authorities will not help end this phenomenon either, because during inspections kindergartens can pretend that they do not hold classes to teach primary school lessons. In such a case, the regulations and inspections will turn into a hide-and-seek game between kindergartens and the education authorities.

The author is vice-president of the 21st Century Education Research Institute.