‘A love of learning and confidence for life’ Kellett School, The British International School in Hong Kong Open Day - Saturday, 19 September 2015, Pok Fu Lam and Kowloon Bay Kellett School is an English National Curriculum School, engendering a love of learning and confidence for life. For further information and to register, please visit www.kellettschool.com
Open Day
PARENTS’ GUIDE The tech issue
CONTENTS 6
COVER STORY
E-embracing makes the difference Vickie Chan
12
SCHOOL VISIT
Log on to e-learning John Cremer
16
DISCUSSION
Kids need boundaries, not a spanking Carrie Chan
THE TECH ISSUE
4
CONTENTS
20
DOCTOR ADVICE
Nourishing babies for a healthy start Carrie Chan
26
CELEBRITY PARENTING
A changed woman: Juggling fame and family Vickie Chan
30
FINANCING
‘Going the distance’ for good English Chris Davis
34
HANGOUTS
Kid-happy grubberies Carmen Tao
38
SCHOOL GEAR Ready for class? Carmen Tao
42
FUN TIME
Events and activities Cover: iStockphoto
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PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
Parents’ Guide is published by South China Morning Post Publishers Limited, Morning Post Centre, 22 Dai Fat Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong, Tel: 2680 8888. Printed by Apex Print Limited, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong, Tel:2660 2666. © SCMPPL
6
COVER STORY
E-embracing makes the difference Parents learn to manage children’s relationship with technology, writes Vickie Chan
W
e live in the rapidly moving age of technology, but what is “e-parenting”? It might sound a bit sci-fi: robots managing children instead of human parents. But what it actually refers to is how parents manage their children’s interaction with technology. We’re now so accustomed to technology that we don’t consider just how much our daily lives rely on it, starting with our Octopus cards. At school, children are now using iPads from a young age as an integrated part of their learning experience – and technology will continue to impact education. We can expect that our children will also need to have a basic education – to say the least – in how to code, too. But what about at home? From just 12 months of age or so, children might reach for their parents’ iPhone after a photo is taken, in order to view it immediately. They might even swipe through the camera roll – it’s something they learn from so young an age. Skype and other internet video calling apps have become a precious lifeline, connecting children to their hardworking parents or overseas relatives. Tablets have become a method for learning and for entertaining younger children, with a range of apps that teach colours, numbers, letters, and spelling, or tell stories.
PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
IT CONCERNED ME HOW MUCH SHE LIKED MINECRAFT, BUT SHE TOOK ME THROUGH THE WORLDS SHE WAS BUILDING Then there’s the other side of technology, which most parents struggle to manage or even dislike outright: games, social networking and simply too much screen time. We don’t want our children to go goggle-eyed in front of a screen; we want them to learn, run around and play in a more traditional sense, too. And since these technology developments aren’t going anywhere, it’s vital that parents get a grip on how to approach and manage technology in the home, because unlike us, our children will be “tech natives”. A good place to start is to recognise that it’s not all bad. Not all games are bad, either. Minecraft, where players build worlds, is the best-selling game to date, despite its pixelated style graphics – which might be more advanced than Paperboy on the Commodore 64, but which still have a certain old-world touch to them. So it’s not necessarily the high-end CGI that wows children, but the play factor. And if the play specifications are well thought out, then it actually might be as good – and as educational – as it’s proving to be. Play specifications are what toy and gaming companies centre their products around: they are the unseen design that turns a product into a hit. Think of Lego. It looks simple, but it gives users the ability to imagine, play and create. At design conferences, Lego Serious Play offers audiences a set of six pieces to prove that the matrix of possible outcomes is endless, because it’s the creativity behind it that counts. On a very simple level, Minecraft works the same way, but it’s computer-based and contains a range of problem-solving tasks. And guess what: there’s a school-ready version of Minecraft called MinecraftEdu, especially for schools. Christine Brendle, founder and publisher of Kids Dailies, a digital, age-appropriate newspaper for children, talks about her experience with her teenage daughter: “It concerned me how much she liked Minecraft, but she took me through the worlds she was building and showed me how she could co-operate with other players.” With her best friend now living in another part of Hong Kong, the girls found a game they could enjoy despite living further apart. Diagnosed with dyslexia and attention deficit disorder, Brendle’s daughter found the game easy to concentrate on, as it allowed her to communicate, imagine and work as part of a team. Photo: iStockphoto
THE TECH ISSUE
8
COVER STORY
Moderation and physical play time away from tech are still key. Photo: Nora Tam
I TEND TO VIEW TECHNOLOGY AS A POSITIVE ENABLER, BUT WE CARE ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE MATERIAL
So, rather than being concerned about screens or gaming in general, a more specific approach might benefit parents better. As a digital publisher of children’s content, this is something Brendle has thought about a lot. Describing her own family as “pretty wired”, she says: “I tend to view technology as a positive enabler, but we care about the quality of the material. Most of our reading, listening and film-watching happens on devices, as well as communicating with family around the world,” she says. They do not have a TV at home. With a 13-year-old daughter and a 20-year-old son, Brendle can recall the days of the Gameboy, which her son wasn’t particularly interested in. “When they were younger, the focus was on the type and quality of content and the context of it. Children are naturally curious so technology can offer a huge window of opportunity – and a lot of rubbish,” she points out. And it’s this that parents need to be wary of, rather than the vehicle the information arrives in. Brendle’s advice includes carefully managing protective filters on web browsers (and paying attention to in-app purchase settings on smart devices!), and encouraging children to use their own judgment. This represents a good chance to teach them about self-trust and responsibility. “They can think for themselves if they should leave a page or come and talk to us about anything they have seen that makes them uncomfortable or afraid,” she says. “I do believe that tablets allow very young children to play and learn independently, which is pleasurable, valid time spent for a child.” Of course, moderation and physical play time away from tech are still key. Rules in the Brendle home include no tech devices at the dinner table, no screens for her teenage daughter after 7pm, except for a Kindle, and no phones or beeping devices in bedrooms at night. For those with younger children, navigating their relationship with technology can seem trickier. For social worker and parental education trainer, Chris Man, a moderate approach seems best. But at the moment, his children are only five years-old and 16 months. “I communicate with my wife by phone, e-mail and WhatsApp but I always talk to my children face-to-face,” he says. His eldest son was already threeand-a-half when he played his first game – an English puzzle app, which he took to naturally. “I didn’t teach him, but he was quite skilful,” Man recalls.
PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
Christine Brendle
Radio host and film director, Benny Lau, has a different approach for his two children, who are currently two-and-a-half years old and seven months. “I work from home, at the computer – so while my wife doesn’t use technology in front of our children [apart from phone calls], I do,” he says. Lau has a stricter approach because he believes that socialising and human relations are most important for his children. “I experienced with my daughter that when I do activities with her she really learns and remembers, but if it is from an app, she doesn’t. I think learning is stronger when it’s human-to-human.”
Chris Man
Having seen some young children who just want to play on a device rather than talk to their parents or family, he worries that human interaction is belittled in the face of technology. “We used to play on our iPads, check Facebook and so on. Now, we really don’t use social media much because we want to set this example for our kids,” he explains.
Benny Lau
Man’s more moderate approach still takes into account habit-building and brain development. “I don’t often allow my son to watch YouTube videos or play games at home, even though they watch videos at kindergarten,” he says, explaining that he has a maximum 30-minute rule. “I am very strict because I do have concerns over issues like socialising with people – but my son is good. I give him a five-minute reminder and he will turn off the game by himself when time is up. We never go beyond the limit.” Setting habits like these now, sets good intentions for the future – and Man is well aware that electronic devices will continue to be important for communications and work – an increasingly integrated factor in human lives. Likewise, Lau is also setting Photo: Corbis
CHILDREN ARE NATURALLY CURIOUS SO TECHNOLOGY CAN OFFER A HUGE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY – AND A LOT OF RUBBISH
THE TECH ISSUE
10 COVER STORY
Top e-learning apps good boundaries. Currently, his older daughter rarely even asks to see a photo after it’s been taken and when she does, they try to avoid encouraging her to look at the device. “I know it will be harder to manage her relationship with these devices when she goes to school but I believe that if we build a good foundation now, she will be okay because she will have already have good communication skills and her own values,” Lau says. Regardless of approach, one of the most important factors in managing the use of tech in your home is consistency. It is confusing for a child if they are allowed more free access to apps and YouTube when they are young, to soothe them when they are tired or during trickier social gatherings – and then to be stricter with them once they reach school age. As children grow, parents need to be able navigate new waters, too, like the issues of bullying or stranger danger, online and not just in the real world. And screen time will lengthen once they get to secondary school, due to homework. Brendle’s children are encouraged to ask themselves: “Is this engaging me? Am I learning, working or is it relaxation time?” They are allowed unlimited time for schoolwork, but limited time for fun tech activities. Another good idea is to talk to your children about what they are doing on their devices, making it a point of conversation and inclusion, not an activity of exclusion or a convenient babysitter. One thing Brendle, Man and Lau all have in common, despite their varying approaches, is a focus on socialising and other activities, including sports and time outdoors. “When we have family holidays, we don’t really use tech much,” Brendle says. Man and his family enjoy playing board games, including chess, and Lau keeps a tradition that Sundays are for family outings. So perhaps the age of tech doesn’t have to mean the end of time for direct family communication. Photo: TNS
Reading and Writing • BiblioNasium • MeeGenius • Minecraft • Day One • StoryDice • Faces iMake • Kids Dailies (Daily 5, Daily 7, Daily 10)
Playtime • Balloonimals • Elf Yourself • Angry Birds • Where’s My Water? • Cut the Rope
Brain Power and Meditation • Lumosity • WorkFlowy • Cram • iThoughts • Notability • Stop Breathe & Think
Fun with Numbers • Khan Academy • TenMarks
PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
12 SCHOOL VISIT
T Log on to e-learning Local schools are adapting technology to suit their curricula, writes John Cremer
PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
Technology and computer skills have, of course, long been part of the standard curriculum. But the new moves, which are the result of extensive planning, consultation with parents, advice from external experts and extra training for teachers, will lead to students using laptops and relevant links to a far greater extent. “The changes are organic and evolutionary,” says Brother Steve Hogan, principal of La Salle College, which is making e-learning an integral part of the teaching and learning process as from September. “The resources and tools are there and, clearly, it is good pedagogy to use them to improve outcomes. Schools have always been ‘catching up’ when it comes to technology, but we have to be on the same boat as netizens in the wider community and sailing in the same direction. In some ways, students now arrive at the school gate and re-enter the Industrial Revolution in a factory-like educational environment. That is not preparing young people today for what the adult world requires of them, so we must change the paradigm.”
Photo: Thomas Yau
he new school year will see major changes in many classrooms around Hong Kong as wide-ranging initiatives are introduced to embrace the use of e-learning and all it entails.
New ‘air’ in La Salle Citing the example of a typical chemistry lesson, Hogan explains that teaching from the textbook will still be central to each class. However, with all 1,400 students from Form 1 to 6 now required to have their own MacBook Air, teachers will also be able to refer them, perhaps, to a YouTube video showing what scientists have recently discovered from experiments with the Large Hadron Collider. “Something like that won’t be in the textbooks for the next 18 months,” Hogan says. “Also, teachers will have software with algorithms, allowing students to put in codes and see what happens if you move certain atoms around.” In other respects, teachers will now use electronic resources to distribute handouts, extra notes and extension exercises via Dropbox. To promote the concept of teamwork, students will have a separate network to collaborate on joint projects whether at school or at home. And in-class software will make it possible for each student to type in suggested answers for display at the front of the room as a basis for critique and further discussion. This tends to be particularly useful – and instructive – in English and liberal studies lessons and is also a good way of ensuring engagement among even the least forthcoming members of the class. Learning platform raises standards “For certain subjects like non-Chinese speakers taking Putonghua, we have designed a learning platform for students inside the classroom and after class,” says Tong Wun-sing, La Salle College vice-principal, who teaches Chinese language and history. “They can make use of the software individually or as a group to reinforce what has been covered or see how the characters are built up stroke by stroke. Looking ahead, some teachers may also prepare videos to introduce a topic, demonstrate correct pronunciation, or set homework assignments.” In preparing, the school has paid close attention to the development of e-books and the adoption of e-learning methods in Hong Kong’s ESF and international schools, and in countries like the United States, Australia and Britain.
Photos: Franke Tsang
(From left) Tong Wun-sing, Brother Steve Hogan and Gary Ho.
WE HAVE TO BE ON THE SAME BOAT AS NETIZENS IN THE WIDER COMMUNITY
Developing inquiring minds As part of that dialogue, it has been pointed out that, in working towards their HKDSE written exams, students also need to develop analytical thinking, inquiring minds and the sort of teamwork, IT and broader outlook sought by university admission boards and future employers. Assurances have also been given that students will definitely not be expected to spend endless hours every day on their laptops, with the attendant strain on eyes, posture and conventional social skills.
New computers introduced at La Salle College.
THE TECH ISSUE
14 SCHOOL VISIT
“The school has thought about all these issues and set out clear rules and etiquette,” Hogan says. “Devices will stay in bags until needed and around campus there are places they can’t be used. In meetings with parents, I also encourage them to be confident and courageous about having protocols at home, such as no devices in the lounge or at meals.”
Cheung Chi-man
E-learning excellence at QualiEd At QualiEd College, principal Cheung Chi-man and information technology development master Tim Kong have been addressing a similar range of issues. The school first established a campus Wi-Fi network in 2010, installed interactive whiteboards and 700 touch-screen computers, and provided tablets for every F1 and F2 student. The focus for the coming school year is to launch a BYOD (bring your own device) programme. F1 students will now use their own iPads for subjects across the curriculum and activities ranging from research to peer assessment.
Samuel Cheng
“It is important to keep developing and improving the e-learning framework with tailor-made lesson plans and appropriate learning apps,” Cheung says. “The concept of the ‘flipped classroom’ allows us to invert traditional teaching methods by delivering instruction online outside class hours and moving homework into the classroom. This promotes self-directed learning.” He adds that lecture videos can be uploaded and watched at home, with students communicating via social media platforms like Edmodo. Teachers then have more time to explain new concepts and facilitate further detailed discussion in the schoolroom. Skills on the level With digital game-based learning and coding fast emerging as the latest educational trends, the school is adjusting accordingly. Junior form students are now required to achieve a certain level of programming skills. And 3D printing plus Lego robot programming will be introduced in the coming academic year. “We also encourage students to hand in assignments using cloud technology,” Cheung adds. Aware that some teachers and parents are worried iPads may turn out to be more of a distraction that an effective tool for learning, the school has installed a classroom management tool. Created by the University of Hong Kong, this lets teachers control what students are viewing and monitor usage. Assessing progress so far, Samuel Cheng, principal of United Christian College (Kowloon East), notes that interactive e-learning including information searches on the Internet, peer comment on written answers and greater use of apps has seen students more actively engaged in lessons and more interested in learning. The school has joined the WiFi100 project, which is supported by the EDB, to improve coverage for mobile devices and a BYOD policy will see all S1 and S2 students bringing iPads from September.
PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP DEVELOPING AND IMPROVING THE E-LEARNING FRAMEWORK WITH TAILOR-MADE LESSON PLANS AND APPROPRIATE LEARNING APPS
16 DISCUSSION
Kids need boundaries, not a spanking Many parents today feel that talking to their children is a more effective form of discipline than physical punishment, writes Carrie Chan
V
ivian Poon, a full-time mother of two, comes from a generation where parents were used to spanking misbehaving children. More than two decades ago, parents had a more authoritative role over their offspring. However, Poon thinks spanking is no longer the way to discipline her own children, who are aged nine and 11. With easier accessibility to information, and well-developed online networks, this generation of children is maturing faster than previous ones and prefer to express their opinions rather than take commands. When her daughter was on the phone for too long, Poon avoided giving her a direct, sharp lesson. Instead, she encouraged her to analyse whether she had actually benefited from that conversation. Interaction is the key “Spanking is not going to be effective for them,” Poon says. “They also cannot take pressure or orders easily. As they have their own point of view, we need
PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
to take it steady when they disobey us.” Poon prefers more interaction in disseminating her values. When it comes to giving her children choices, she tries to provide more than one, stressing that it is also important to listen to what the children want, rather than assuming that the specific choice is the best one. Peony Wu, a working mother of two, shares Poon’s opinion that spanking is no longer effective. Wu is very insistent on maintaining the right balance between expressing love and disciplining children. Without being giving the assurance of being loved, they could easily take criticism as personal attacks. Wu and her husband take turns to discipline their children. They also frequently take turns in being the harsher person, while the other is more soft-spoken. “When I was young, my mother had four children and was very busy with housework,” Wu says. “I did not know how she thought of us. It is very important to tell my children that we love them. With this basis, it is easier to communicate to them the consequences of misbehav-
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO TELL MY CHILDREN THAT WE LOVE THEM...IT IS EASIER TO COMMUNICATE TO THEM THE CONSEQUENCES OF MISBEHAVIOUR
iour. They understand that we are doing it for their own good.” To foster good discipline among children, both mothers think that it is important to spend more quality time with their children. Wu, a legal secretary during the day, is adamant about getting off on time and being at the dinner table with her children every day. She is anxious to understand and talk about “what is going on in their lives”. Going too far Poon and Wu are good examples of how parents need to allocate time to discipline their children through communication rather than the old method of spanking.
hard published a book entitled How Children Took Power, which argues that this approach can go too far and that children have too much freedom to do what they want. Michelle Sham Kin-seng, a Hong Kong clinical psychologist specialising in children and families, has encountered cases where parents will avoid criticising their children for fear of hurting their self-esteem.
Michelle Sham
They belong to a generation which probably experienced spanking from their own parents, or shame-based punishment. To avoid repeating their parents’ behaviour, they go to the other extreme.
However, there are concerns that the new child-centred approach could go too far, especially in cases where parents are too busy to spend quality time with their children. Two years ago, Swedish psychiatrist David Eber-
Photo: EPA
THE TECH ISSUE
18 DISCUSSION
Photo: AFP
Someone to guide them Some parents, often those from affluent families, work very long hours and do not see their children much. They will even use material goods as a form of compensation and often tend to stay in the comfortable role as “friends” to their children. “But what the children need is not another friend but someone to guide them,” Sham says. “They need to understand that the role of parent cannot be taken over by anybody else. A major part of being a parent is the disciplining of your child in a way that builds the child up and teaches him the right values from the wrong ones. It is not just about academic performance.” When parents over-accommodate their children’s’ needs, it can lead to them being less resilient in tackling obstacles in life. In school, they may be resistant to teachers’ instructions as a result. “Kids are not as fragile as we thought,” Sham says. “They need to understand that discipline is part of life. It is part of building up their resources to face adversity.” PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
Step-by-step But punishment or telling children off are often only knee-jerk reactions to misbehaviour, Sham adds. To genuinely discipline children is to give them stepby-step guidance in daily scenarios, and help them understand moral values. “For instance, when children lie, it is important to help them understand the impact lying has on people. When they lie, how do parents and friends feel? Teachers won’t necessarily address these issues step by step in school,” Sham says. In Hong Kong, it is common for both parents to have to work. Sham advises parents who are busy and stressed to build up their own resources for de-stressing. She adds that their children will not be happy if their parents are not physically and emotionally healthy. “If they are too stressed, they might be more prone to temper tantrums,” Sham says. “It is important to figure out how to empty the fuel tank. For some people, it could be getting off one station earlier and taking a 10-minute walk to de-stress.”
WHAT THE CHILDREN NEED IS NOT ANOTHER FRIEND BUT SOMEONE TO GUIDE THEM
20 DOCTOR ADVICE
Nourishing babies for a healthy start Benefits of mothers’ milk include a reduction in infants’ sensitivity, boosting intellectual development and less chance of infection, writes Carrie Chan
PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
M
any Hong Kong mothers still opt for milk powder as the main source of food for their babies, due to inadequate knowledge about breast milk’s nutritional value as well as its link to mothers’ daily diet, according to a registered dietician.
Gordon Cheung
Gordon Cheung, a project fellow of the Food Safety and Technology Research Centre (FSTRC) at Polytechnic University, says mothers are panic-stricken at the shortage of infant formula in the past few years. In addition, few understand the true benefits of breastfeeding. “Many mothers do not understand whether the nutritional value in breast milk is suitable. There are a lot of myths around infant formula as they have seen many TV commercials. Mothers can be confused sometimes,” Cheung says. Coupled with the hectic lives of Hong Kong mothers, it is no surprise that Unicef has reported that only 2.3 per cent of Hong Kong babies are being breastfed by the age of six months. The percentage remains low despite recent campaigns on the benefits of breast milk. Recognising the need to enhance awareness of breast milk’s nutritional value and benefits, the Laboratory for Infant and Child Nutrition set up by the FSTRC has established Hong Kong’s first breast milk nutrient database. Some examples of the benefits are the reduction in infants’ sensitivity, the fostering of intellectual development and the minimising of the chances of infection. Through continuous study of Hong Kong lactating mothers’ diet and breast milk quality, the team hopes to demonstrate how mothers can enhance the nutritional value of their breast milk through a better-controlled diet. In others words, mothers can take their babies’ health in their own hands.
Photo: iStockphoto
In the first phase of their studies, begun last April, the research team surveyed 74 lactating mothers’ diets. Results indicated that the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) level in more than 80 per cent of the breast milk collected fulfilled the daily consumption amount at 750 ml. DHA is essential for brain and vision development.
THE TECH ISSUE
22 DOCTOR ADVICE
The survey also shows that these lactating mothers had consumed over 8.5 taels of fish – which was above the minimum level of fish intake as established by US Food and Drug Administration. The research team will start the second phase of the study in the next six months. This will include testing the level of other key elements for child growth such as calcium, zinc, iron, and iodine. Dr Wong Man-sau, deputy director of FSTRC, says the results confirm that Hong Kong mothers can meet infants’ growing needs in Omega-3 fatty acids. “We strongly urge mothers to consider breastfeeding. Not only does it serve as a food source for infants, it helps develop the mother-child relationship, allowing children to grow happily and healthily,” Wong says. Cheung says that there is still room for improvement in nutritional value. For some mothers, the daily intake of essential foodstuffs is borderline. The weekly consumption of fish should be four to 12 taels. Cooked fish has relatively lower food safety risks. Consumption should also cover wholegrain food, vegetables, seaweed, iodine-rich seafood, calcium-rich food, water and soup for a healthy lactating diet. On the other hand, as babies grow older, Cheung says over-reliance on milk consumption should be avoided. He adds that when infants are about two years old, their diet should in fact be very close to that of an adult. However, Hong Kong parents are generally known for their habit of complementing foodstuffs with milk powder or breast milk, even though their children are approaching the age of two. This can be a result of busy working lifestyles, as well as dependence on domestic workers. “They might be worried about nutritional adequacy and think that nutrients can be supplemented by milk intake. Some parents can also be influenced by the milk powder ads,” Cheung says. “It can simpler for them to go for milk powder rather than planning a healthy diet.” For So Mei-yee, a mother of two, milk powder is inevitable due to her full-time working schedule and shortage of breast milk supply. Initially, she gave her newborn baby a combination of breast milk and milk powder.
PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
WE STRONGLY URGE MOTHERS TO CONSIDER BREASTFEEDING. NOT ONLY DOES IT SERVE AS A FOOD SOURCE FOR INFANTS, IT HELPS DEVELOP THE MOTHER-CHILD RELATIONSHIP
THERE ARE A LOT OF MYTHS AROUND INFANT FORMULA When her first infant passed the age of six months, she started to introduce porridge – which contributed one-sixth of her son’s intake. Milk is still a dominant factor in his diet. “Milk powder is convenient for me, and I’m sure that it can provide enough nutrients,” So says. Cheung emphasises that parents should gradually introduce a variety of food. The texture complexity can also increase, according to their developmental stage from the age of six months to two years. Generally, parents can try feeding rice, cereal, congee and vegetable puree when their infants are six months old. While some infants may refuse certain foodstuffs, Cheung points out that parents should not be easily discouraged. Otherwise, if an infant’s diet remains monotonous there is a greater chance of them developing picky eating behaviour. “The refusal response should not be easily misinterpreted,” he says. “The cooking method can be changed [to introduce variety]. For example, vegetables can be cut and mixed with rice.”
Photo: May Tse
IN THE NEWS
Protein level China
(kg/d)
1.74g (2.61g) US 0.99g (1.5g) Chinese mothers’ milk protein content outshines Japanese and US mums According to a 20-year research project conducted by the Shanghai Children’s Medical Centre that studied thousands of mothers’ milk protein samples across Chinese provinces, the protein content of Chinese mothers’ milk outshone those of their American and Japanese counterparts. The study found an average of 1.74 grammes of protein in every 100g of Chinese mothers’ milk, compared with 1.19g and 0.99g in Japanese and American mothers’ milk, respectively.
Japan 1.19g (1.78g) Recommended level (1.5g) Pollutants in breast milk of Chinese mothers (Mg/L)
Lead
The level of these two pollutants is higher than in other countries but lower than the national standard
Arsenic Cadmium Mercury 0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Source: Shanghai Children’s Medical Centre
7
8
9
SCMP
THE TECH ISSUE
26 CELEBRITY PARENTING
A changed woman: Juggling fame and family Text: Vickie Chan Photos: Steward Chan, interviewee
Anita Kwan Yi-tung’s youthfulness and playful demeanour make it difficult to imagine she is already a young mother of two: Marina is three and Eleena is just six months old. “I used to be thinner,” Kwan says – another thing that is hard to believe. “My husband says I am happier now, which is why I am not so thin. Actually, a lot of people in my industry notice a change in me: they say I’m more emotional and softer, but I think a fuller face just makes me look more approachable,” she jokes.
PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
Humble beginnings It doesn’t take long to discover how active and inquisitive Kwan is – she chose to become an actress because she cannot sit still, especially behind a desk, for long – so it would be understandable if she found being a mother somewhat limiting. But it seems that since her switch to HKTV and her marriage to Andre Lam Siu Fui, Kwan has evolved. She began her career as an actress with local terrestrial channel, TVB. Kwan describes her typical roles as the tough, bad girl. “I wasn’t a regular actress, so if I had a series I would work and when I didn’t, I would be busy playing sports, swimming and watching movies.” If it wasn’t for her active disposition, she might never have met her husband: with Kwan being an actress and Lam an anchor, they worked in different buildings – but met through a weekly company darts league competition. Around 2009, Kwan stopped working with TVB because she couldn’t get the right balance she wanted for her career. “I felt the pay was not very high and I wanted to be able to shoot outside Hong Kong – or do movies – but the schedules I had made that very difficult,” she explains. With some of her friends and colleagues already working at HKTV, Kwan believed she could make the move. It is one she does not regret. “The feeling is very different – and I’ve had the chance to work with my husband, too, which was a good experience for us.”
Globally-minded Lam can speak up to 5 different languages!
Family time It’s not just her work that is more balanced, however. The schedules offer actors more rest between shoots instead of filming both day and night. Now that she’s a mother, she can manage family more easily, too. “When my daughter was in hospital, the crew were very understanding and let me stop filming until she was better,” she recalls. They also allow her to take time out to host a weekly radio show on Metro Radio on Thursdays. Kwan’s first daughter, Marina, was born in 2012. “We didn’t have any extra help at that time, so I took time off to take care for her and bond with her properly. I would take her to playgroup or teach her things at home,” she explains, talking of the somewhat rigorous “interviews” that even one year-olds go through in order to be accepted into a nursery. “I had to teach her colours, shapes and things like that. They sometimes even ask the child to say their parents’ names – but really, they can hardly talk at that age,” Lam adds. “It’s too much pressure for them.” Knowing that the nurseries might reject their application, the family applied to five and Marina was accepted at three. Kwan doesn’t see this as a particular achievement, but instead more as an example of the rigmarole of the Hong Kong system. She and Lam also agree that there is little point in spending too much on education at this age. “I care about how the school teaches them, but I want them to learn to socialise, to share, or tie their shoes,” Kwan says.
KIDS GROW UP SO FAST NOW; THEY LEARN TOO MUCH, THEY ARE LIKE SMALL ADULTS INSTEAD OF KIDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY SPEAK
Actress Kwan and anchor Lam first met through a weekly company darts contest.
28 CELEBRITY PARENTING The family chose the nursery closest to home so that their daughter would not have to travel too far. Although they now have help at home, it was a practical decision because Lam travels a lot for work. “We try to balance things,” he explains. “If Anita is busy, I am with the kids, and vice-versa. We try not to be out at the same time, although I travel outside Hong Kong more.” Kwan admits to turning jobs down when her husband is away. “There are always opportunities but you have to balance work and family. I don’t worry too much about turning down work, no one thing is better, but you get more from your family – and I believe in destiny,” she quips. Marriage & motherhood As inquisitive as ever, Kwan hates missing out and says she feels young at heart, although she finds it harder to leave her children at home when she wants to try new activities. Before her marriage, Kwan says she was quite impatient – and can still find herself feeling impatient if she is trying to teach the children something. “My marriage has taught me about patience and understanding emotions, even mine. I am learning to be less rash and more thoughtful,” she says. Meanwhile, Lam jokes that the children are learning about impatience from Kwan, but with regard their marriage, both agree that there is more balance: Lam has learned to say no, more often.
MY MARRIAGE HAS TAUGHT ME ABOUT PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING EMOTIONS
“We both feel our hearts are really focused on our children,” Lam says. Kwan adds that she has different boundaries now and that being a mother has changed her approach to situations. On top of this, a few simple jobs, such as advertisements that include her children, mean Kwan has learned more about working with children. She has also picked up some practical motherly tasks, such as organising parties. “I went to a cooking class to learn how to make a cake for Marina’s third birthday.” Global future Despite these changes, as a parental team, the couple is still discovering how to make time for all four family members together. “I do business with South America so during the week, I might work until 2am and be asleep when the girls wake,” Lam says. “But my favourite time is before bed or in the morning because we are all together.” For Kwan, the best family time is when they are away in a remote place without the internet. “We don’t have rules about the phone because we both need to be available, so even dinner is easily interrupted,” she says. She knows that later, however, they may need stricter rules. PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
THERE ARE ALWAYS OPPORTUNITIES BUT YOU HAVE TO BALANCE WORK AND FAMILY. I DON’T WORRY TOO MUCH ABOUT TURNING DOWN WORK, NO ONE THING IS BETTER, BUT YOU GET MORE FROM YOUR FAMILY – AND I BELIEVE IN DESTINY
For now, they don’t worry too much about screen time where Marina is concerned. “She knows she has to eat at the table and spend time with us, even if she asks to watch something on the iPad,” Kwan explains. “I learned English from TV and no-one told us not to watch too much. I think kids really can learn a lot from the internet and TV but you have to balance that with spending time together. And we worry about their tone of voice,” she adds. This is a concern for Lam too. “Kids grow up so fast now; they learn too much, they are like small adults instead of kids, especially when they speak.” Children’s television shows echoes of this. He jokes that milk formula, with all its added nutrients, is too strong, making children grow up too fast, with brains that are too powerful. The couple’s future isn’t yet clear. With Lam having grown up in Brazil before attending university in Taiwan – and speaking Portuguese, Spanish, English, Cantonese and Putonghua – Hong Kong might not be his ideal place for his children’s education or lifestyle. “Outside Asia, kids learn by playing, they spend time outdoors. No matter where you go, there is still pollution here. And if you have seen how heavy a kindergarten student’s school bag is, you know how hard they work,” he says. While his parents have suggested Brazil as an option, the couple think it has more potential for long summer holidays. “I would love my kids to learn European languages too,” Kwan says. But both want their children to live with them until university, so boarding school is out of the question. Although the Hong Kong education system has changed since Kwan attended high school, she has concerns about what the children will learn. “Some of it isn’t so important, like memorising dates. Something more practical can help the kids to learn what they enjoy and what they are good at,” she says. Attending an event hosted by one of Kwan’s colleagues gave her the chance to realise how much her own daughter loves to dance on stage. “She is very comfortable performing, so I want to find her those kinds of opportunities. I hope that school will also give her a lot of activities to try out,” Kwan says.
Lam and Kwan care about how the school teaches them, but they also want them to learn to socialise, to share, or tie their shoes.
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A
s a multicultural city and regional base for companies from all over the world, a high standard of English-language communication is an important competitive factor that helps to maintain Hong Kong’s East meets West international business and finance status.
Despite surveys reporting that English standards in Hong Kong are declining and compare unfavourably with many neighbouring countries in Asia, there is evidence to support the claim that some parents are keen to ensure their children are able to learn English and are willing to pay for it. For instance, reports from the recent Hong Kong Book Fair give examples of parents spending thousands of dollars on educational books for their children.
Photo: Felix Wong
On the first day of the annual book fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, educational books for children were among the hottest sellers. The most popular English-language books on sale were the Oxford University Press’ Oxford Path storybook series, which costs up to HK$48,000, and Disney’s World of English (DWE), whose starter edition is priced at HK$20,000. One parent interviewed at the event said she wanted her child to be confident in the English exercises she takes at school and that it doesn’t matter how much the books cost. Another parent said that money was not a problem as long as her children were interested in reading. Parents spare no expense Jeffrey Tam, course director at DR-Max, one of Hong Kong’s biggest English-language teaching materials and publishing companies, believes it is vital that children are able to start learning English alongside Cantonese as young as possible. “There are a lot of parents that realise English is the language of finance, business, science and technology and they are willing to invest as much as they can to ensure their children can learn to speak and write in English,” Tam says.
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32 FINANCING Photo: Felix Wong
A good example, says Tam, is the parent who spent HK$80,000 on DR-Max English learning programmes at the Hong Kong Book Fair. “The parent bought programmes spanning the next eight years so that her daughter, who is currently four-years-old, will be able to learn English until she is ready to enter secondary school,” Tam says. Through interaction with parents, Tam understands that they worry more about their children’s ability to get into a good school – while schools are also raising the bar for acceptance.
Students use electronic book devices during class.
Chris Tse
Edwin Cheung
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“Enabling their children to achieve a good standard of English is a growing concern for many parents,” says Tam, who believes a lack of exposure to native English speakers, fewer English-medium schools, time spent using tablets and smartphones and a greater focus on learning Putonghua, are all impacting children’s ability to learn English. DR-Max Electronic English-learning packages feature interactive education materials tailored to different age groups, using a pen reader with a voice activator to help with pronunciation and intonation. The language can be switched from English to Cantonese to cross-reference meanings and understanding. DR-Max produces a monthly International Student Journal that also uses a pen reader with a voice activator to help students learn about science, global affairs and historic figures. Credit card offers maximum help To help parents support their children’s English-language development, DR-Max has partnered with AEON to launch a DR-Max Titanium MasterCard education-themed credit card which offers flexibility. “Parents are willing to invest in their children’s English-language education, but the question is how to spend wisely,” says Matthew Lee, AEON Credit Services Asia senior marketing manager. “Parents can make use of the 48-month interest-free instalment plan, allowing them to exercise maximum flexibility when purchasing education resources for their children,” Lee adds. He says the DR-Max Titanium MasterCard also offers a range of complimentary education-linked benefits and privileges, including book coupons, to encourage children to persist with their English studies. Wilson Lee, DR-Max business development manager, says parents and children will be able to select education materials together without having to worry about making a lump-sum payment. “We hope our credit card incentive will help parents support their children’s English studies while reducing the financial burden,” Lee says. In some cases, the DR-Max Titanium MasterCard is the first credit card the parents have applied for. “We are helping parents with their own financial education,” Lee adds.
Never too soon to learn Depending on the age of the child, Chris Tse, chairman of the Institute of Financial Planners of Hong Kong (IFPHK), says that in common with other areas of education, by teaching children about the way credit cards are used, parents are helping to prepare them for adult life. Tse says credit management is a financial life skill that everyone should understand. “As soon as children start learning about the basics of budgeting and spending, usually at primary school, is a good time to introduce the concept of how credit cards work,” Tse says. Although Hong Kong financial institutions require a principal cardholder to be 18 years old, some credit card issuers allow 16 year-olds to become supplementary credit card holders. “It is important for young people to understand that late credit card payments and debt can affect their future credit ratings,” cautions Tse. Edwin Cheung, associate director of Convoy Financial Services, shares a similar view. “Financial literacy is widely recognised as an essential life skill and whether or not people take an interest in managing their finances, it is something they will inevitably encounter,” Cheung says. He says helping children to understanding how interest rates work, not using one credit card to pay off another, what happens if you only make minimal payments and the best ways to manage the use of credit would be a good place to start. “There are no hard and fast rules, but as with most things related to finance, the earlier that children learn about credit cards the better,” Cheung says.
FINANCIAL LITERACY IS WIDELY RECOGNISED AS AN ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILL
Photo: Nora Tam
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Kid-happy grubberies Colourful decor and fun dish names guarantee mealtime success for youngsters. Text: Carmen Tao
The Ritz Kids Programme allow little ones to make sweet, toothy treats!
Looking for family-friendly fare? English celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is passionate about educating children on better, healthy and good food options. His popular restaurant, Jamie’s Italian in Causeway Bay, lives up to his vision. Children of all ages are welcome and the bright and colourful decor provides a visual feast. But it’s the way the children’s menu is presented - through a retro viewfinder displaying a photo of each dish - that truly whets their appetite and gets the young ones excited. With deceptively fun names like Chicken Lollipops, Puppy Dog, Happy Fish Fingers and Curly Wurly Tomato Pasta Bake, these creatively named dishes are all healthy options. The meat and fish are organic and cooked with no salt or added fats and oils. A variety of vegetables is added to each dish and, priced at $58 each, a kids’ meal comes with a Shake Me salad. The salad is served in a little jar marked “Shake Me” and is a real hit with the kiddies. Parents need not worry as their little ones shake it with gusto as, thankfully, it’s like they’re brandishing silent maracas. To top the meal off, there’s a dessert option to add either fruit or ice cream for only $8. Mums and dads can enjoy full-sized mains or smaller-portion nibbles and refreshing cocktails such as a Blueberry Basil Smash that won’t break the bank. The restaurant has adjustable high chairs for children, baby-changing facilities and takes reserva-
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Young diners enjoy a satisfying meal at Jamie’s Italian.
Photo: Carmen Tao
tions online 24/7 – a godsend for busy parents who can’t make it past 10 seconds into a phone call without one child wailing in the background, demanding their immediate attention.
Moomin lattés are served for $50 at Moomin Café in LCX.
Want a fuss-free way to inspire a child’s interest in cooking? Then enrol them in a children’s cooking class for a quick and simple way for them to have fun learning and making something new without creating a mess at home. The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong continues its popular Ritz Kids Programme, with morning culinary classes at the weekend followed by a sumptuous meal. The classes are taught by hotel chefs, and with a wide variety of class options in making sweet treats such as bunny cupcakes, panda cupcakes, princess cake, or edible bear macaroon art and cookies, there’s something to tickle the fancy of every little aspiring master chef! Priced at $1,550 per child, the classes are held from 10.30am to noon and are inclusive of a chef’s hat, an apron, a certificate, a Ritz-Carlton Lion, and a $250 The Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA voucher. It is followed by lunch at which a parent can accompany the child. On Saturday, a three-course set lunch at The Lounge & Bar is included, while on Sunday, the class is followed by a lunch buffet at Café 103. Subject to availability and further charges, additional guests can also join lunch. While the
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Up close and personal with Moomin.
classes are in session, parents can truly relax and enjoy a 50-minute personalised massage at the hotel spa at a special rate of $1,080 per person. What to do with the kids if it’s raining or too hot outside? If your children are getting restless stuck at home, why not take them to the newly opened Baumhaus creative family centre that’s just across the road from the Three Pacific Place MTR exit? The bright and airy 2,700 sq-foot space is a haven for families, with a magical play area, two creative arts classrooms, a William Alexander café and retail area interspersed with quality international children’s brands. At the centre of Baumhaus’ playroom is a gorgeously natural play facility made from real birch imported from Germany, where children can climb and explore to their hearts’ content. Children can also try the exciting Kindermusik and performing arts classes where dedicated teachers such as Crisel Consunji, a trained professional singer with previous musical stints at the likes of Hong Kong Disneyland who is now a creative educator, lead the lesson animatedly with an infectious passion to inspire in students an appreciation for music and arts. A handy in-town rendezvous for a coffee and a play date, it’s also a hot spot for newbie parents to unwind and connect with other like-minded families. Savvy mums and dads working in the area can always support a local cafe and pop over to grab a latté ($36) and, after 8pm, visits are rewarded with either a free coffee or play-area admission. They can even arrange to have someone bring their little one there for a babyccino ($8) and meet for a quick catch-up during a busy workday.
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There is ample space to park strollers and the clean and tidy baby change room features a hygienic nappy disposal system and a small child-sized toilet. During August, playroom access is only $80 per day, so beat the heat and head to Baumhaus for a fun-filled play date.
Kids play freely at Baumhaus.
Cute pit stop while shopping with the kids Officially opened last December 5, the queues have not stopped at Moomin Café, a character-themed restaurant in Harbour City’s Ocean Terminal. Featuring the beloved Moomin characters created by Swedish-speaking Finnish illustrator Tove Jansson, the café has been decked out to look like a traditional Finnish house and transports diners away from the hustle and bustle of Tsim Sha Tsui to an enchanting hideaway. Children will enjoy up close encounters with giant plush Moomin characters scattered around the restaurant and are welcome to hug and take photos with them while they wait for their meal. The healthy and hearty kids’ meal ($70) for children aged under 12 includes an omelette with ham, Moomin character-shaped pasta, vegetables, seasonal fruit, a Moomin cookie and the choice of a glass of milk, apple juice or orange juice. To beat the crowds, the best time to visit is during the afternoon on a weekday. A signature dish to try is the Moomin House Pancake ($138) with either mixed berries or toffee chocolate bananas. The homemade pancakes are light and fluffy and the decorative three-storey Moomin House contains a crème brûlée, decadent orange chocolate mousse and refreshing grape jelly. With this dish, you get to choose a small porcelain Moomin character to take home. If that’s not enough, there is an adjoining Moomin retail store where you can purchase themed merchandise and Moomin pasta to cook at home for the kids.
Photo: Carmen Tao
Sip on a leisurely latté while waiting for your young ones.
While there, be sure to check out the Kids and Maternity zone on Level G, with Hong Kong’s largest Toys R’Us store and leading children’s clothing brands and stores such as Mothercare where you can pick up strollers, car seats, cots, bedding and other essentials.
Baumhaus 1/F Kar Yau Building, 36-44 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai | T: 2715 3376 Jamie’s Italian 2/F, Soundwill Plaza II - Midtown, 1 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay | T: 3958 2222 Moomin Café Shop 32, Level 3, LCX, Ocean Terminal, Tsim Sha Tsui | T: 2730 0963 The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road, West Kowloon | T: 2263 2100
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Classroom kit
Ready for class? Start the school year right with a new study desk and school gear. These bright lunch kits and drinking bottles are perfect companions for a healthy meal and will surely please fussy eaters and keep kids well hydrated at school. Roomy pencil cases help contain colourful stationery treasures and character-themed notebooks will get kids excited about making their mark in class. Text: Carmen Tao
Mr Marius reading desk $5,950 | h
Frozen notebook $18 | e
Forget Me Not lunch kit $115 | b
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Gabol fantasy pencil pouch $68 | b
Crocodile Creek bottles $129 | b
Round snack boxes set $160 | f
Vintage world map school drawing set $220 | f
Ashtead small metal water bottles $80 | d
Crocodile Creek lunch bag $175 | b
Spaceboy 36 colour pencil set $80 | f
Itzy Ritzy Snack Happens reusable snack & everything bag from $99 | b
Skip Hop lunch kit $115 | b
School bags Schoolchildren should not carry more than 10 per cent of their body weight but with so much gear needed at school nowadays, it’s important to choose an ergonomic school bag to help reduce the loading stress on immature spines. Sports and tote bags are also handy to help store additional less used items. Don’t forget, besides choosing the right school bag it must also be carried appropriately while maintaining a good posture.
Gabol party backpack $265 | b
Backpack in pink $1,260 | a
Double-sided tote bag in turquoise $950 | a
Cartable backpack in grey $590 | f
Farthingdale backpack in sailing print $490 | d
Crocodile Creek backpack $275 | b
Ocean Park backpack from $660 | g
Get set backpack from $620 | g
Persona backpack from $680 | g
Glenbrook trainer bag in turquoise $160 | d
Farthingdale backpack in coral $490 | d
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For the feet Children’s shoes can have a major influence on how their feet develop and ill-fitting shoes not only pinch tender feet but can lead to a lifetime of podiatric issues. Help your child put their best foot forward with properly fitted and supportive school shoes that look smart and, more importantly, offer protection and comfort.
Cheope $1,820 | c
Dante $2,720 | c
Cassio $1,820 | c
Princess $2,720 | c
Milord Derby $2,920 | c
Diana $1,520 | c
George $1,520 | c
Start-rite Louisa school shoes from $425 | b
Start-rite Spin school shoes from $699 | b
Start-rite Will school shoes from $599 | b
Start-rite Trinity school shoes from $529 | b
Start-rite Trilogy school shoes from $529 | b
STORE DIRECTORY a | Bonpoint Shop 325, Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Road, Central | T: 2526 9969 b | Bumps to Babes 21/F Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau | T: 2552 5000 c | Gusella Shop No 224, Lee Gardens Two, 28 Yun Ping Road, Causeway Bay | T: 2940 2238 d | Jack Wills L02, Leighton Centre, 77 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay | T: 3105 1798
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e | LOG-ON Times Square, Basement 1, Causeway Bay | T: 2506 2888 f | Petit Bazaar 80 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai | T: 2528 0229 g | SPI Development Unit A & C, 4/F Gee Hing Chang Industrial Building, 16 Cheung Yue Street, Cheung Sha Wan | T: 2708 2078 h | TREE 28/F Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau | T: 2870 1582
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Summer Science Lab
Get your children excited about, and ready for, the next school year by nurturing their developing minds at the Cyberport Summer Lab programme. Designed to inspire creativity, the Edison’s Creative Academy workshop gives a practical exploration of Thomas Alva Edison’s theory of electricity and offers children a better understanding of science. The Little Inventor Lab session will run various interactive experimental activities such as Extreme Freeze, Parachute Soap Bubbles, and Kinegram Animation Club. Mums and dads can also take advantage of the summer sale and pick up some furniture and products to cater to the changing needs of growing children. Date: August 15 - 16, 2pm - 5pm Admission: Free Venue: The Arcade, 100 Cyberport Road, Cyberport | T: 3166 3111
02 Slide the City Hong Kong
End this summer holiday with an exhilarating splash! For three days, a 1,000-foot-long slide will be set up alongside Hong Kong’s spectacular waterfront at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. Besides the colossal water attraction, there will be game booths, refreshment zones, a digital interactive experience centre, DJ and band performances throughout the carnival. There are three types of tickets to suit every partygoer, and participants need to be at least eight years old and over 3’10” in height. Beat the heat and make this summer one to remember! Date: August 22 - 24 Tickets: $150 - $480 Venue: Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, Baggage Hall and Outdoor Apron Area, 33 Shing Fung Road, Kowloon | T: 2732 0010
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03 Pinocchio Hong Kong Ballet will open their 2015 - 2016 season with one of the world’s best-known fairy tales, Pinocchio. Drawing on the talents of prominent Swedish choreographer Pär Isberg, French costume designer Jérôme Kaplan and Swedish set designer Bo-Ruben Hedwall, this much-loved classic, retold through a captivating ballet production, will keep the whole family entertained. Ticketholders for August 29 shows can join pre-performance talks which will complement the ballet experience and give a behind the scenes glimpse into what it takes to create a new production from start to finish. Date: August 28 - 30 & September 4 - 6 Tickets: $140 - $1,000 Venue: Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | T: 2105 9724
The Amazing Bubble Man Playing with bubbles is one of the most beloved and enduring pastimes for children. However, there is so much more behind the fun of just blowing bubbles. Having performed for close to 30 years to more than a million people across the world, Louis Pearl, The Amazing Bubble Man, mesmerises audiences with his extraordinary act exploring the art, magic, science and sheer fun of bubbles. There will be square bubbles, fog-filled bubbles, bubbles inside bubbles, and even kids inside bubbles! Don’t miss what is expected to be a funfilled show for the entire family. Date: September 16 - 20 Tickets: $395 - $550 Venue: Drama Theatre, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai | T: 3759 7617
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The Shadow in the Moon
Celebrate the Mid-Autumn holiday differently this year by learning how this popular festival began at the Premiere Performances family concert. Performed by local talent, the original chamber music, with bilingual narration, features an octet comprising traditional Chinese instruments such as the erhu, dizi and guzheng along with classical instruments such as the violin and cello, and percussion. Children are invited to join a special 45-minute lantern-making workshop before the performance and enjoy Maxim mooncakes after the concert! Date: September 20, 4pm and 5.30pm Tickets: $250 for friends of Premiere Performance and Asia Society members; $300 for non-members Venue: The Hong Kong Jockey Club Hall, Asia Society Hong Kong Center, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty | T: 2811 2321
Hong Kong International Schools Festival 2015 Gearing up as this year’s mega international schools fair, this unmissable event is co-organised by Education Post and topschools.hk. Exclusive information sessions with ESF (English Schools Foundation), Harrow International School, Kellett School, Nord Anglia International School and Woodland Pre-Schools will take place. It will feature more than 40 booths and a panel discussion with leading education experts who will review bilingualism and biliteracy in Hong Kong schools which adopt an international curriculum. They will also review the differences in approach, fluency versus literacy, and parental support for their children. Top international schools will also be exhibiting and advisors will be on-hand to address any admissions queries. Date: September 26, 12.30pm - 4pm Admission: Free with advance registration at www.internationalschoolsfestival.com Venue: Ballroom, Level 3, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty | T: 2680 8115
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