Infusing Taoist Principles into Early Literacy Professional Learning

Taoism, one of the oldest Eastern religious systems, has significantly influenced Chinese culture and society. Taoism centers around “The Tao” or “The Way,” considered the ultimate source from which everything—both physical and non-physical, living and non-living—originates. It emphasizes inner self-cultivation through reflective and critical thinking, guiding individuals to recognize and connect with the Tao in daily activities. This strength-based perspective, which values diverse learning and development, aligns with contemporary professional learning (PL) and literacy research that emphasizes learner agency and sociocultural significance. Taoism advocates focusing on the natural process of instruction, accommodating diverse learning needs rather than rigidly adhering to predetermined goals. This article explores Taoist values related to individual growth, as articulated in Taoist texts, and presents two literacy PL programs that illustrate the feasibility and benefits of integrating Taoist principles into PL design and implementation. These programs have also fostered authentic, collaborative partnerships between researchers and teachers.