We have much to learn from preschool education in China today. The most striking aspect of visiting a kindergarten in Shanghai, was the high degree of political awareness and spontaneous analysis in all the activities and skills that the children are learning.

On entering the classroom we were invited to listen to some singing by five and six year olds. The confidence and enthusiams with which they related the importance of the oppressed peoples of the world uniting to fight U.S. imperialism, reflected their convictions and understanding about the political system. It ended with their arms raised to the sky and defiantly yelling "united we will win the struggle. We will also liberate Taiwan!"

Through self-expression in cultural activities such as these, the children are learning and identifying with the revolutionary principles on which their society is based. This is hardly the depth of political awareness developed through the activities of New Zealand kindergartens, in which the principles underlying the basis of society are learned only indirectly.