Kindergarten pupils in Dalian city participate in a soccer match on June 1, 2015.[Photo/CFP]

 

China's first soccer instruction kindergarten textbook has been published nationwide.

The series of textbooks are part of China's efforts to promote the sport among the nation's students and youth. The textbooks contain three versions: for lower grade students, middle grade students, and higher grade students. Videos that instruct basic soccer moves like "the drag", "the stop", and "the pullback" were all included to help teachers in their instruction.

The textbooks were written by children's fitness education expert Yin Hongbo and published by Beijing Normal University Publishing Group.

The book for lower grade kids focuses on establishing their habit of using their feet and body parts to touch the ball. The one for middle grade students introduce basic soccer skills. The one for higher grades introduce shooting and passing the football.

According to Yu, the kindergarten level is a critical period to build up sports cognition, interests, and skills. "Soccer is a great sport in cultivation team partnership and courage," said Yu.

The move came in response to the fact that China's millions of football fans have been so disappointed by China's national football team's poor performance in recent years. The Chinese team has not qualified for the World Cup in 12 years.

President Xi Jinping, a soccer fan, has repeatedly encouraged China's footballers to step up.

Many educators believe that the development of soccer in schools fors the cornerstone in realizing China's soccer dream to join the world's elite at major sporting events.

In July 2014, the ministry of education laid out plans to establish football tournaments in primary, junior, and high schools. Enrollment policies were also relaxed, making it easier for schools and colleges to recruit talented footballers.

Football courses have become mandatory at an increasing number of schools across China.