By outdoor-nature-child.com On October 16, during a visit to a shopping center in Shanghai’s Jing’an District, I interviewed educators and students engaged in an innovative initiative to introduce traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to young learners.
The highlight of the visit was a 70-square-meter herbal garden located on the center’s rooftop, where various Chinese herbs such as mint, schizonepeta, angelica dahurica, and perilla were planted. Teachers from Zhongxing Road Primary School led second-grade students from their “TCM Fun” club in identifying these herbs and learning to propagate mint through cuttings.
Yang Jue, the principal and party secretary of Zhongxing Road Primary School, explained that the school has introduced the “TCM Fun” program during after-school hours. The goal is to immerse children in the world of TCM, helping them appreciate herbal medicine and igniting their enthusiasm for exploration. He noted that the program aims to foster a positive attitude towards health and well-being through hands-on experiences.
This year, the school collaborated with a local activity center to transform the rooftop space into a “Herb Garden,” choosing herb varieties that align with the current year’s TCM curriculum.
Yang shared an unexpected observation: “We initially thought concepts like yin-yang and the four energies would be too complex for younger students to grasp. To our surprise, they showed great interest.” Many students have become “little TCM experts,” taking the initiative to suggest remedies at home. For instance, as autumn approached, they would ask for pears to soothe their lungs or request ginger soup if they caught a chill.
Second-grader Liu Xinyue proudly recounted, “After a year of the ‘TCM Fun’ course, I’ve learned so many interesting things. I often discuss TCM with my mom, who is a doctor. I feel proud that I know a lot about TCM that she doesn’t!”
Zhang Jingying, the director of the TCM Cultural Research Center at the Shanghai TCM Literature Museum and one of the course developers, shared insights on the curriculum. Designed for young students, the “TCM Fun” program aims to deliver essential TCM theories in a cohesive and engaging manner. Since its launch in 2021, it has spread to 12 primary and secondary schools in Shanghai, accumulating over 400 sessions and reaching more than 16,000 participants by the end of 2023.
The curriculum emphasizes TCM culture and foundational knowledge while utilizing experiential, exploratory, and game-like activities that resonate with children’s developmental stages. Zhang mentioned that the program is carefully designed to bridge TCM awareness with basic education, featuring a comprehensive curriculum that includes student textbooks and family guides.
Young teacher Luo Jingyi, who transitioned to health education after graduating from a medical program, expressed her hopes for the course. “I wish to plant the seeds of TCM culture in the children’s hearts, encouraging them to explore this field further. I believe that interest is the best teacher.”
Zhang further highlighted the value of TCM as a resource for moral education. The philosophy of TCM is steeped in integrity and respect, with numerous historical figures exemplifying these virtues. This aspect of TCM promotes good character traits, such as benevolence and a willingness to help others. Yang added that last year, the students created herbal sachets in class and shared them with family and residents of local nursing homes, which was a significant experience for their growth.
As Shanghai actively integrates TCM culture into schools, there are ongoing discussions about how to educate older students, particularly in middle and high schools. Zhang revealed that the museum has developed a course titled “The Supreme Formula,” aimed at high school students, which focuses on diagnostic principles and renowned herbal formulas. Yang mentioned that the day’s activities included representatives from Zhabei No. 8 Middle School, with plans for collaborative development of integrated TCM curricula across different educational levels in the future.