PARENTS’ GUIDE The culinary issue
CONTENTS 6
FEATURE
Fun and frolics cooking up festive fare Vickie Chan
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EVENT
International Schools Festival 2015 Ray Wong
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SCHOOL VISIT
Exploration and play are the fun way to learn John Brennan
THE CULINARY ISSUE
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CONTENTS
22
CELEBRITY PARENTING
Gee, Cara, you are a model mum! Vickie Chan
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DISCUSSION
Speaking in tongues boosts learning skills Ray Wong
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HEALTH TIPS
Ways to avoid piling on the pounds John Brennan
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HANGOUTS
A magical Christmas in Hong Kong Carmen Tao
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PRESENT CHOICES Party Picks Carmen Tao
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FUN TIME
Events and activities Carmen Tao
Cover: Sky Lip
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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
FEATURE
Fun and frolics cooking up festive fare Mini master chefs can get busy in the kitchen to whip up some sizzling seasonal delights, writes Vickie Chan
C
ooking is a fun and interactive way of spending time with your children while they’re off school – but since Christmas Day can be quite busy, why not try some recipes for things that will last a few days? This will keep the children satiated, and the kitchen clear, on the 25th!
Christmas is a special time for most families because, whether or not you celebrate religiously, it’s a time away from work and school, when everyone gets together for several days. For many, it’s a time when family traditions are created, remembered and practiced, with food playing an important role. Growing up, we always spent our Christmas at home in Britain, which meant log fires, a 10-foot tree and guests being invited to join us for a festive dinner. Sometimes, it also meant snowmen and sledging. It was left to my older siblings and me to decorate the centrepiece of our dining room table and keep it as a special surprise for guests, who were not allowed to enter until dinner. A Bavarian tradition passed down by my mother’s grandmother, the scenes always wowed guests: foil lakes and cotton wool snowdrifts on coloured crepe paper, giving way to miniature tableaux of small ornaments – including some from my mother’s childhood – such as small china dogs and rabbits, Dutch windmills, flapping geese, decorative candles and our customary angel chimes, without whose tinging, it just doesn’t feel like Christmas. Nowadays, my Christmases are mostly spent in Hong Kong. But I still make some traditional Christmas treats, to stir up childhood memories and share with friends. Christmas in Hong Kong can be strange for expats. But cooking will always make you feel festive. After all, the traditions and memories of your childhood Christmases will always stay with you!
PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
Photos: Shutterstock
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FEATURE
Savoury: Sausage rolls An easy snack and perfect for serving to guests! To make the pastry, cut the butter into cubes and put in a bowl with the flour and salt. Rub them together until they look like breadcrumbs, but do not over mix. This part might be more difficult for the little ones. Then, sprinkle the water into the bowl and mix until the dough forms a soft ball and leaves the bowl clean. To make the sausage rolls, roll out the pastry onto a floured pastry mat or flat surface until it is about 10cm wide. Cut it into two equal strips. If using puff pastry, lay it out on a floured surface and cut into two oblong strips. Divide the sausage meat and roll it into two long sausage shapes and lay it along the middle of the pastry strip. (You can add extra herbs or flavour to the meat, if your children like that sort of thing). Brush the long sides of the pastry strips with beaten egg and fold one side of the other, so that the seam is along one long side of the roll. Then, cut the roll into smaller pieces. Brush with beaten egg and cut a small slit into the top of each one, so that it cooks through and doesn’t burst in the oven. Bake at 190ºC (375ºF) for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. Vegetarian filling option For an alternative option, here’s one of my favourites. You can follow the steps for sausage rolls and simply swap the sausage meat for: • 180g brown rice • 150g grated cheese, such as cheddar • Grated carrots or other filling that the children like – why not let them choose? • 2-3 teaspoons of Marmite • Knob of butter (Optional) One-to-two tablespoons tomato paste Cook some brown rice, and while it’s hot, add the Marmite and a little butter. Mix it up until the rice is coated. Then add the other ingredients and mix together well. You can taste test it as you add the tomato paste.
PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
Ingredients • 180g (6oz) plain flour • 90g (3oz) butter • Pinch of salt • 3 tablespoons cold water • 2 beaten eggs • 225g (8oz) sausage meat
Sweet: Sugar mice These are very traditional Christmas treats! The best part is making them.
Place the egg white in a glass bowl and whisk with a fork, until frothy. Using a wooden spoon, beat in around two thirds of the icing sugar, and add the lemon juice. If you want to coloured mice, now is the time to add a few drops to make either green or pinky-red mice. If you want both colours, first divide the mixture into two. To finish making the mixture, turn out onto a clean working surface or pastry mat and knead in the remaining icing sugar until the mixture is pliable and you can shape it. This part is really fun for children – tell them to work slowly, so that the icing sugar doesn’t get whipped up into the air. Use extra icing sugar to stop the mixture from sticking to the surface.
Ingredients • 340g (12 oz) icing sugar, sieved • 1 egg white • 1 teaspoon lemon juice • Silver ball cake decorations (Optional) red and green food colouring
When everything is mixed together, shape or roll it into a long log shape about one-inch wide. Then cut the log into 14 pieces. Shape 12 pieces into a round ball and elongate them by pinching one side, to form the nose and mouth. Use the two spare balls to make two ears and a tail for each mouse, which you can stick to the bodies. The silver balls can be used to make two eyes. Leave them laid out, spaced apart, overnight (or in the fridge if it’s a warm winter) so they set and become firm. These little mice are great for decorating the table!
THE CULINARY ISSUE
Shops are all around
10 FEATURE
It’s not always easy to find all the things you need in Hong Kong supermarkets. A good cooking session often means visiting two or three stores. During the holidays, neighbourhood supermarkets do stock some useful ingredients, but for anything specialised, try the following. Olivers One of the best supermarkets for international food. They have a good selection of festive ingredients and ready-made items. Staff are helpful if you want to phone and check first, but if they are busy they may not answer. Ingredients
• 250g (8oz) plain flour
• Pinch of salt
• 125g (4oz) butter
• 125g (4oz) icing sugar
• 125g (4oz) brown sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons hot water
• 1 egg, beaten
• Food colouring
• 2 teaspoons mixed spice
• Decorative sprinkles
Sweet: Iced spice biscuits These tasty treats have a festive flavour but children love cutting them into fun shapes and decorating them! Make sure you have festive-shaped cookie cutters. Beat together the butter and the sugar, until it’s fluffy. You can do this with a food mixer, but if the butter is soft enough, it shouldn’t be too difficult. Then, beat in the egg, a little at a time. Sift in the flour, salt and spice. Mix it together well until it makes a firm ball of dough. Sprinkle some extra flour on a pastry mat and rolling pin, and then roll out the dough until it’s about half a centimetre thick. Cut the dough into shapes with your festive cutters. Then, take any leftover dough, roll it out again and make more shapes until you have finished all the dough. Put the shapes onto one or two greased baking trays and bake them at 190ºC (375ºF) for about 15 minutes, until light brown. While the biscuits are cooling on a wire rack, mix together the icing sugar and hot water until it’s smooth but not too runny. If you want to make different colours, divide it up before colouring each one. Leave some white, for a frosty look. When the biscuits cool, spoon a little icing on each one and spread it out evenly with a palette knife. It’s a good idea to do this while they are still in the wire rack, as any extra icing will drizzle off. If you’re using a flat surface or plate, the biscuits may stick. Before the icing sets, decorate the biscuits with sprinkle, silver balls or what you wish. PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
201-205 Prince’s Building, Chater Road, Central 2810 7710 www.oliversthedeli.com.hk Great Food Hall A spacious shop with a range of products – but can be expensive. Basement Two Pacific Place, 88 Queensway Admiralty 2918 9986 www.greatfoodhall.com Marks & Spencer The dedicated food shops like the one in Soho are now carrying a range of baking items including cake decorations. Besides that, Marks & Spencer do festive food well, rotating stock accordingly. 1/F, Kinwick Centre, 32 Hollywood Road Central I Love Cake A great place to find backing utensils, including sprinkles and decorations. Shanghai Street in Yau Ma Tei is worth a visit for any aspiring chef! Shop H2, 188 Wan Chai Road Wan Chai G/F, 338 Shanghai Street www.ilovecake.hk
12 EVENT
International Schools Festival 2015 The event explains the process step by step to set hearts and minds at ease, writes Ray Wong
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arents worried that their child will “lose at the starting line” are prepared to queue for hours to get an application form for a school, or to register for a school’s introductory seminar.
To help parents get a clearer picture of their options, Education Post hosted the first International Schools Festival in September at the JW Marriot Hotel. The event was attended by over 3,000 parents, and featured more than 30 exhibitors, including international schools, education consultants, and education providers. Principals from international schools were present to answer inquiries from parents about playgroups, kindergartens, and primary schools.
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The English Schools Foundation (ESF), the city’s biggest international education provider, is a popular choice with local parents. ESF schools are over subscribed, so parents worry about getting their child a place. Vicky Bewsey, principal at ESF International Kindergarten (Tsing Yi), acknowledges that getting a place at an ESF school is competitive, and says that it is important to prepare for the entrance procedures. But she emphasises that parents should not drill their children in interview training. Bewsey explains that ESF schools require no formal interviews for their kindergartens and primary schools. Instead, the schools organise play visits for children and their parents. “As they play, we hope to observe the children’s ability to communicate in English, their interaction with their parents and peers, and their ability to follow instructions,” she says. Bewsey also advises parents not to apply too early, because the school has an age requirement for candidates. “We accept kindergarten applicants no younger than two, and primary school applicants no younger than four. I had a lady who is six months pregnant ask about an application. There is no need to apply that early,” she says. PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
1 More than 3,000 parents flocked to the International Schools Festival organised by Education Post. 2 Mums and dads joined in activities with their children. 3 Stands provided a wealth of information on schools and the application process. 4 Organisers and exhibitors line up for a photo.
Photos: Steward Chan
AS THEY PLAY, WE HOPE TO OBSERVE THE CHILDREN’S ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE IN ENGLISH, THEIR INTERACTION WITH THEIR PARENTS AND PEERS, AND THEIR ABILITY TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS VICKY BEWSEY ESF
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ESF schools follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) system from kindergarten, and Bewsey advises parents to learn more about the system to determine whether it is suitable for their child. She adds that although ESF kindergarten students have priority when it comes to an interview for ESF primary schools, it is not guaranteed that they will get a place. Joanna Hotung, founder and director of the KG Group and the Mills International Preschool at Yau Tong, says that it is easy for parents to get confused by all the choices. “How should I choose between an international system and a local system? Is bilingual education, or even trilingual education, better for my child? These are the most common questions that parents ask when they approach me,” she says. Parents now place a high degree of emphasis on childhood education, Hotung adds. She advises parents to carefully consider all the available information before making a decision. “Bilingual education with an equal focus on English and Chinese is very popular now. Parents are looking for a creative curriculum taught in English, and that’s why they put their children in an international school. But they also want to keep their Chinese at a high level, too. This puts a lot of pressure on the kids,” she says. Alexander Key, principal at North Point’s Hamilton Hill International Kindergarten, which opened in March, found the International Schools Festival useful. “The response from parents has been very good. We are a new school in the city, so we are looking to let parents know about us,” he says. Beijing resident Maggie Law visited the festival to look for an international primary school for her daughter. She says the monotonous teaching techniques used by Beijing schools are not suitable for her child, who attends an elite kindergarten. “The school she attends now is too strict. The teacher deducts marks for every little mistake. Even the incorrect placement of a comma leads to marks being deducted. I find this type of education uninspiring and meaningless,” Law says. Law’s first choice is Harrow International School, although and she also looked at Yew Chung International School. “I understand there are limited places available in those schools, and it’s more difficult as my daughter did not attend their kindergarten programmes. But I will try,” she adds. PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
PARENTS ARE LOOKING FOR A CREATIVE CURRICULUM TAUGHT IN ENGLISH, AND THAT’S WHY THEY PUT THEIR CHILDREN IN AN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL. BUT THEY ALSO WANT TO KEEP THEIR CHINESE AT A HIGH LEVEL, TOO JOANNA HOTUNG KG GROUP
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16 SCHOOL VISIT
Exploration and play are the fun way to learn A thematic, integrated curriculum that includes both inquiry and fun is the recipe for success at one kindergarten and play school, writes John Brennan PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
Enjoying learning is the key at Wellborn Anglo-Chinese Kindergarten / International Play School.
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hat strikes you first on entering Wellborn Anglo-Chinese Kindergarten / International Play School in Ma On Shan is how light and – especially for Hong Kong – spacious the campus is.
Two open and airy playgrounds, one for two- to-three-year-olds and one for three- to-six-year-olds, stand in front of a single-storey building that, currently, comfortably houses around 400 children. Wellborn has clear educational goals for both its international section – for which English is the primary medium of instruction – and its mainstream, taught in Cantonese.
Photos: Steward Chan
“We have a really well-developed curriculum that’s new and international-based, but which also accommodates Hong Kong expectations,” explains June Charlesworth, Wellborn’s vice-principal. “Children learn to read and write here, which they won’t, necessarily, at a lot of other international kindergartens. Our children leave ready to go on to primary school, whether local or international. Even though many children start at our school with no English, they leave fluent.” However, Charlesworth stresses that the school does not attempt to simply pump information into its students – an approach she has little faith in, anyway. “The curriculum is thematic, integrated, inquiry- and play-based, and involves a lot of exploration,” she says. “All the children learn in a fun way, with a lot of fun activities. Our interactive whiteboards, for example, are fantastic because they allow children to play games on a big screen. “Second language-learners especially, they are not here to learn English. Their parents want them to learn it, but the kids just want to play. If you just sit them down in front of a book and say: ‘Write this, do this and do this’, they won’t learn and they won’t be happy. But if they are playing, and they don’t realise they are learning, they will learn. “By K3, our children are writing in their journals and they can phonetically blend and segment words so they can read. There’s no homework but they do take home special reading programme books each weekend that they read with their parents and comment on and enjoy. It’s all about enjoying learning,” Charlesworth adds. THE CULINARY ISSUE
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Wong Sheung Ping, principal
June Charlesworth, vice-principal
IF YOU JUST SIT THEM DOWN IN FRONT OF A BOOK AND SAY: ‘WRITE THIS, DO THIS AND DO THIS’, THEY WON’T LEARN AND THEY WON’T BE HAPPY. BUT IF THEY ARE PLAYING, AND THEY DON’T REALISE THEY ARE LEARNING, THEY WILL LEARN
PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
The successful emphasis that Wellborn places on fun is something that has been picked up on by those outside the school as well. Last year, English teacher Bill Avinou coached a 20-strong group of its pupils to success in a Hong Kong-wide singing contest organised by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. Along with the grand prize, the young performers also won the awards for articulation and diction, and for musicianship. “One of the things the judges were very happy about was to see that the kids were enjoying themselves,” Avinou says. “Hong Kong can be a pretty competitive place but we’ve tried to emphasise to the children that it’s the taking part that is the main thing and we’ve tried to get them just to enjoy it and have fun with it. Obviously, it was great to win, and we’re all happy about that, but that wasn’t the main thing.” K1 teacher Jillian McCormick, who has been with Wellborn for six years, following three years spent teaching in South Korea, was delighted to help Avinou prepare the school’s singers for their triumphant performances. “I love being in the classroom and I love being with the children and seeing their progress. The same with the singing competition,” she says.
The light and airy rooms at Wellborn Anglo-Chinese Kindergarten / International Play School provide a spacious and comfortable learning environment for its 400 children.
I LOVE BEING IN THE CLASSROOM AND I LOVE BEING WITH THE CHILDREN AND SEEING THEIR PROGRESS. THE SAME WITH THE SINGING COMPETITION JILLIAN MCCORMICK
Wellborn’s 30,000-square-foot campus allows for facilities such as music rooms, an outside area set aside as an organic farm, and spacious classrooms. “Generally there are around 30 in a class, though some classes are smaller,” Charlesworth says. Children attend Wellborn for either half-days of three hours and 15 minutes, or whole-days of seven hours and 45 minutes, which includes some nap time. Charlesworth explains a little of what goes into these schedules. THE CULINARY ISSUE
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Wellborn puts an accent on fun in helping the children to learn.
“The international classes are taught in English, with 20 minutes of Putonghua each day. After their nap time, the whole-day international classes can choose to do an hour’s Chinese programme, an hour of fun English activities, or an hour’s Japanese programme, as we have some Japanese students here. “The mainstream classes are all in Cantonese, with 20 minutes of Putonghua each day, and with the English oral teachers going into the K2 and K3 classes for an hourand-a-half each day. “This year we have also introduced the STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) approach to our teaching. This combines all these disciplines in a very practical and fun way.”
ALL THE CHILDREN LEARN TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND BE STRONG AND RESILIENT ABOUT ANY SETBACKS THAT OCCUR JUNE CHARLESWORTH
Charlesworth quotes the example of a recent class exercise in which the children had to make a circular column, a triangular column and a square column and find out which one held the most books. “The kids loved it and tried it again and again and again,” she says. “We also do a lot of SEAL (social and emotional aspects of learning) activities. So the children learn about their feelings and their emotions; about feeling happy or sad and about working together in a team. This comes into play in the music, and the showand-tell and the speaking-and-listening activities we do, in which the children learn to perform in front of their class, while everyone supports them,” Charlesworth adds. “All the children learn to support each other and be strong and resilient about any setbacks that occur. What they’ve learned here with the SEAL programme can help them to be strong and capable when they go on to their primary and secondary schools.” Charlesworth says there is a wide range of possibilities open to children who “graduate” from Wellborn. “A lot go to DSS schools, such as Wong Kam Fai, run in association with the Baptist University, St. Margaret’s and Pui Kiu College, and international schools such as Renaissance College and Sha Tin Junior ESF, as well as the best local schools.”
PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
22 CELEBRITY PARENTING
Gee, Cara, you are a model mum!
Text: Vickie Chan Photos: Sky Lip, SCMP
Cara G McIlroy – best known as model and TV show host, Cara G – always wanted her own business, but wasn’t sure what. In October 2011, she opened Genie Juicery with her best friend. It done so well they now boast a store in Central’s prestigious IFC mall. In the last couple of years, however, McIlroy has really spread her wings, thanks to her becoming a mother.
PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
“I’m an entrepreneur and a free spirit – but I’m a mother first,” McIlroy says. “It makes me want to work harder to give my family my best – and it has made me more relaxed. I was always stressed and working late, I was a workaholic! Now, I try to be completely focused on the girls and leave stress behind me, even if I’m more tired now than ever,” she says. And it has opened up new business areas, too. McIlroy trained to become a kindergarten teacher and always wanted to do something with children or have a health-related business. Now she not only has Genie Juicery; she is making waves just by being herself.
AS WOMEN, WE DON’T WANT TO GIVE THINGS UP AND WE CAN BE STUBBORN, TRYING TO HAVE IT ALL. BUT I REALLY UNDERSTAND NOW WHY SOME WOMEN DON’T WORK. IT’S TOUGH. I RESPECT ANY MOTHER
“I have a lifestyle blog that supports all of the things I do. I’m known for posting about food on social media, or when I was pregnant, people would ask me where I got my clothes from. I also travel for work, so I have lots of tips. I realised what a great resource I could be,” she explains. Originally from Australia, McIlroy has managed to build a following in her home country, too. But her favourite aspect of the blog is that it’s something she can do from home, with her family around her. In early 2016, McIlroy will launch her children’s’ clothing line, called India and the Pirates and named for her elder daughter. “India has short hair and it isn’t growing very much yet, so people often think she’s a boy. I’m starting with some accessories, like girly head bands – something bohemian,” she explains. But to do so much, there have been sacrifices. “I started Genie with my best friend and we did everything at the start, including cleaning and deliveries. I worked there until after India was born. But I realised that I was missing the relaxed moments with her when she was really young, and that Genie was at a point where I could be less involved, daily,” McIlroy explains. It was a conflicted decision for her, and at first she felt depressed at the change. “Now, I can see it’s the best decision I ever made.” Time management is difficult for McIlroy the entrepreneur, especially as someone who loves to nurture – her staff, her children and her ideas. “Modelling and hosting are jobs I have to fit around, but I have someone who works with me for the blog and India and the Pirates, so I leave the house at certain times, to focus,” she says, adding that when she is home, work can only be done while the girls are sleeping.
Cara G and her photographer/model husband Jesper Mcllroy have busy schedules but try to find time to be there for their two little girls.
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“Mother guilt” is another challenge. “I had to go to New Zealand for nine days for work and could only take one of the girls with me. Then I have to consider if I should even take the job – the shoulds and shouldn’ts, or feeling like you’re not in the right place are really tricky,” she says. As someone who loves work, McIlroy didn’t expect such emotional conflict, saying it is hard not to push herself in all areas of her life. “When I’m with my girls all day, it’s a different kind of exhausted than working a job all day. As women, we don’t want to give things up and we can be stubborn, trying to have it all. But I really understand now why some women don’t work. It’s tough. I respect any mother!” she quips. Typically, Sundays are family time. With her husband Jesper Mcllroy working as a freelance photographer, finding time off together isn’t always easy. “We love to go out for breakfast or cook at home. We like being outside, walking the dog. We are very hands-on parents so just being together is great, especially when there’s food around,” McIlroy jokes. “We try to be there for as much as we can in our girls’ lives.” With both parents having such changeable schedules, McIlroy admits that planning something unusual in their family schedule doesn’t make for smooth sailing.
WE LIKE BEING OUTSIDE, WALKING THE DOG. WE ARE VERY HANDS-ON PARENTS SO JUST BEING TOGETHER IS GREAT, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE’S FOOD AROUND Luckily, it’s the simple things that bring her joy. “I love watching my husband with our kids. He’s a great father. I am always learning from my family, it’s quite amazing.” At 19 months, India is very amusing girl – and at an age when everything is incredible to her. “She’s so joyful, even a leaf gets a big ‘wow’ – and it makes me appreciate everything, no matter how tired I am. You can’t be jaded when you’re around kids,” McIlroy adds. But tired, she must be. With Freija having been born in June, having two young daughters is no easy task. “I’d love some extra tips! At the moment they are both developing so fast, one learns something big and the other is learning something completely different, that’s also important! I hope they will be really good friends and I think there age gap will be a blessing later on,” says McIlroy.
PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
EVERY ACTIVITY HERE FOR KIDS IS SO EXPENSIVE; I DON’T KNOW HOW PEOPLE DO IT. IF WE HAD AN OUTSIDE SPACE, IT WOULD BE DIFFERENT
Cara G was a top model and TV show host, but is now first and foremost a mother to her daughters India and Freija.
Like so many parents, McIlroy finds Hong Kong a difficult place to raise children. “Every activity here for kids is so expensive; I don’t know how people do it. If we had an outside space, it would be different. I grew up with that. But we feel like we just take them from one indoor space to another. When I was young, we had fields and lots of outdoor space and it was all free,” she reminisces. “As an expat, I don’t have extra family around for support or help. I couldn’t do this without my helper – she really support us,” she says gratefully. In the light of this, McIlroy’s best advice to other mothers is to make friends. “I was never a girl’s girl, but I have found that it really helps me to reach out to other mothers and have someone to talk to, to get advice, to know you’re not crazy! There are always times you feel exhausted but you’re not alone. It feels strange to hear myself saying this, because I never thought this way before, but it’s true. As a mum, you need mum friends around you.”
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26 DISCUSSION
How
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Speaking in tongues boosts learning skills Mastering three, or even four, languages at an early age can be a tool to explore the world, writes Ray Wong
PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
you
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THERE ARE NO WORRIES ABOUT A CHILD GETTING CONFUSED. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE WHAT A CHILD CAN DO PEK WEE HAUR
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mployers and educators agree that a mastery of both English and Chinese is the key to a successful education and a good job. Many local parents send their children to international schools to improve their English, but this leads to concerns that they will fall behind in Chinese.
A panel discussion at a recent event debated bilingualism and biliteracy in Chinese in schools with an international curriculum, and experts looked at ways of improving Chinese-language skills at these institutions. Moderated by Ruth Benny, founder of the Top Schools education consultancy, the panel includes Pek Wee Haur, principal at the Singapore International School (Hong Kong), Nicola Weir, co-principal at Yew Chung International School, early childhood education, Penny Pan, director of Chinese Studies at the Canadian International School, and Karin Ann, the co-founder and principal at the International Montessori School. The panellists agreed that it is possible for children to master three or four languages at a young age. “There are no worries about a child getting confused. Never underestimate what a child can do,” says Pek.
Illustration: Shutterstock
Weir, whose school has students who don’t speak English or Chinese as a first language, agreed. “We have a Swedish girl who did not speak English and Chinese when she first joined us. Now she can speak both languages fairly well. Students can pick up languages quickly at school, even if their parents don’t speak them at home,” she says. Ann reminds parents that children learn languages at their own pace, and the speed of learning can be affected by the number of languages they are studying. For instance, young children who are being taught four languages will know less vocabulary in each than peers who are learning two. “It’s best to teach a language from scratch,” she says, noting that it’s a good trade-off to learn a few languages at the expense of a wider vocabulary: “Having a strong foundation in multiple languages is a gift. The richness of the vocabulary will build up later,” she adds. THE CULINARY ISSUE
28 DISCUSSION
Ann advises parents to speak in their mother tongue when helping children learn a language. “Don’t try to speak in a language that you are not comfortable with. If you are not familiar with Chinese, get a Chinese person to visit your family, or take your child to a Chinese playgroup,” she advised. The diverse backgrounds of international students make it important for schools to stream them. Pan says that in her school, students are divided into a native stream, for students able to read classical Chinese literature, and an additional language stream, for students who want to use Chinese as a business language. Many parents are unhappy with streaming, as they think their children need to achieve native-level in Chinese, Ann stresses. But it’s necessary to stream students so children are not forced to attempt assignments they are unable to handle. The panellist supports the idea that language is not a just subject taught in class, but a tool to help children discover the world. Children need to be shown that a language is part of life so they can fall in love with it, whether by reading a sign in Chinese, or watching a television programme in Putonghua.
Pek Wee Haur
Weir shares the experience of her daughter who was not keen on Chinese in primary school. She started to like it when she took part in Chinese dance and Chinese drama. Weir says this is an example of how to draw a child’s attention to the benefits of a language. Parents also worry about children losing interest in writing Chinese characters because they require repetitive practice. Ann’s advice is to teach children to write characters when they are very young. “A 12-year-old will find practising penmanship boring, but three- and four-year-old children love to repeat. It is about building a foundation early. It also helps to get children to start learning early, before they know if they like it or not,” she says.
Karin Ann
Pan adds that with information technology, writing Chinese characters has become less significant, because students can use pinyin to type words on a computer.
Penny Pan
Ruth Benny
Nicola Weir
Photos: Steward Chan
PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
30 HEALTH TIPS
Ways to avoid piling on the pounds A few sensible precautions can help you cut down on the calories lurking in some of those mouthwatering morsels, writes John Brennan
PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
T
he children’s Christmas party season is fast approaching, with all the sugar-fuelled fun, and occasional chocolate-stained tears, that entails. For the parents in attendance, these occasions are full of potential wonderful memories and, for the health-conscious, what can be seen as diet-derailing opportunities.
The children’s food found at most parties is unlikely to be vegetable-based, or bought or prepared with an eye to its nutritional benefits. Leaving aside aspects like the saturated-fat content, and the long list of artificial additives likely to feature, the sheer calorie counts of some of the items on show can set BMI alarm bells ringing. A hundred grams of pizza is likely to harbour between 250 and 300 calories, and the same weight in chips (French fries, if you insist) over 300. A large hot dog will add nearly 200 more to the count, and the fizzy drink this is washed down with, another 100 to 200. Of course, the more sensible option for parents who are big fans of children’s parties but don’t want to get even bigger, is to stick to the adult fare – if there’s any on offer. Then the maths is a little less scary, though it’s often the dips, condiments and other accompaniments you have to watch out for. Mini samosas and mini Thai fish cakes both usually contain around 70 calories each, but the sweet chilli sauce that comes with the latter is likely to contain as much sugar as an equivalent quantity of jam.
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Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein, but again the 20 or so calories on a mini satay stick can be greatly inflated by too much of the peanut sauce sitting next to it. Good guacamole can be made almost entirely from vegetables but you’re likely to want to use potato chips to get it out of the bowl. Thirty grams of potato chips is going to add around another 160 to the count, and three or four cheese cubes, a further 80. The roughly 50 calories in a mini smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel adds up to a decent balance between enjoyment and health, and the raw vegetables on a plate of crudités are going to do you nothing but good – as long as you don’t go mad with the dip that will be probably be proffered with them.
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32 HEALTH TIPS
PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT CALORIE-DODGING TACTIC IS TO MAKE SURE YOU TAKE ON PLENTY OF BALLAST, BOTH IN THE FORMS OF SOLIDS AND LIQUIDS, BEFORE THE EVENT However, the benefits of the vegetables in a small vegetable quiche can be rapidly outweighed by the 80 to 120 calories in the butter, milk and cheese it also contains. When it comes to liquids, a large glass – that’s 250ml – of red wine will tip the scales at around 210 calories, while a can of beer comes in at just over 150. And it’s a good idea to first check whether the nuts are raw (good) or coated with oil, salt or sugar (not so), before you start shovelling them back with your drink. You can also use a little personal game management, to strike some sort of health/ fun balance. Probably the most important calorie-dodging tactic is to make sure you take on plenty of ballast, both in the form of solids and liquids, before the event. The idea is to avoid arriving so dehydrated you want to start swigging wine, or the children’s fizzy drinks, straight from the bottle, or hungry enough to eat the paper plates. Getting a young family ready for any trip can mean the adults, after sorting out all their children’s needs, forget to look after themselves. Try to ensure you eat a solid breakfast or lunch, and have drunk plenty of water, before setting out. Positioning can give will power a helping hand, too. Put a bit of distance between yourself and the buffet so you have to make a conscious decision to get more food and you can’t unthinkingly nibble. The truth is, though, if the rest of the time you’re watching what you eat and getting regular exercise, over-indulging on a few occasions probably isn’t going to do you much harm. And, remember, you’re also likely to have burned up plenty of calories chasing the little rascals around the bouncy castle, and then carrying them home asleep.
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34 HANGOUTS
A magical Christmas in Hong Kong Whether it’s taking tea at The Peninsula, snatching a ‘staycation’ on Lantau, learning to make your own greeting cards, savouring scrumptious snacks or sumptuous festive meals, there’s something for you to enjoy in the city this Yuletide.
Text: Carmen Tao
Making a wish for a classic afternoon tea with Christmas carolling? From its twinkling snowflakes strung outside the hotel, once again The Peninsula Hong Kong will dazzle with its festive line-up. And what better way to get into the spirit of Christmas than to enjoy the much-loved afternoon tea in The Lobby. Between November 15 and December 21, and December 27 to 30, The Lobby will offer a “Tea of Hope” classic afternoon tea (HK$358 for one or HK$638 for two plus 10 per cent service charge). Each tea set comes with an ornament, and for each tea set sold, 20 per cent will be donated to Make-A-Wish. There will be carolling by the Hong Kong Treble Choir, Heep Yunn School choir, Festive Chamber, Chinese University and the University of Hong Kong Student Union choir at the Afternoon Teas (HK$458 per person plus 10 per cent service charge) held between December 22 and 26. On these dates, the hotel is also running a Santa’s Little Runway promotion, with Santa and his elves on the lookout in three of the hotel’s restaurants (Spring Moon, The Lobby, and The Verandah) for outstanding mini-fashionistas, who will get the chance to lucky draw an exclusive prize and receive a commemorative Polaroid photograph. The grand prize is one night in a deluxe suite with daily breakfast, for two adults and two children. Filled with enchantment, magic and possibly “snowfall”, the Christmas Night Market scheduled to be held in the hotel’s forecourt on Christmas Eve from 6pm to 8pm brings a well-loved European Christmas tradition to the city. A range of stalls offering classic hearty treats, signature canapés and festive drinks is exclusive for guests and Christmas Eve dinner patrons.
PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
On the lookout for a getaway to a Christmas wonderland right here in Hong Kong? Escape the city and take a Christmas “staycation” at the idyllic Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong hotel. Available on December 24 to 26 and December 31, the all-inclusive Festive Staycation Package for two adults is priced from HK$2,788 (plus 10 per cent service charge) and includes one night’s stay in a Mountain View Room, breakfast buffet and festive dinner buffet (at the second seating which begins at 8.45pm). For an additional HK$628 (plus 10 per cent service charge), your child (aged between three and 11) can also join and enjoy this package with a free extra bed arranged for the room. There are no additional charges for tiny tots under the age of three. What’s more, travel light, without the need to bring the whole nursery with you, as the hotel can arrange on advance request baby amenities such as a sleeping cot, baby bath tub, shower amenities, milk bottle warmer and steriliser. To celebrate the festive season, a large draw will be the mega parties hosted in the hotel lobby with live band performances on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. There will be Christmas carolling, a magic show, fun stage games, gift giveaways, with Santa dropping by on the first night and a huge balloon drop counting down to 2016 on New Year’s Eve! The hotel has tailored a host of activities for the little ones including arts and crafts, beauty corner, and cooking class. Santa Claus is scheduled to make an appearance in a horse-drawn carriage on Christmas Day to hand out gifts. Children can also join the Meet the Horses programme and learn more about the horses. Meanwhile, mums and dads can take the opportunity to relax and wind down after the party season with a 60-minute Italian organic candle body massage (HK$990 plus 10 per cent service charge per person) at the hotel’s Spa Botanica. Stop the clock! With more than 80 tantalising treats, you will want extra time to enjoy the sumptuous seafood spread at W Hotel’s KITCHEN lunch and dinner buffets. From Canadian snow crab, Boston lobster, oysters, sea scallop sashimi to wagyu beef marble score 5, Australian rack of lamb and festive whole roasted turkey, you’ll be spoiled for choice. A giant sweet station will include special seasonal treats such as red chocolate strawberry fountain, W Christmas tree chocolate layer, Christmas pudding, and cherry almond macaroon, to satisfy all sweet tooth cravings. Best of all, one child under the age of 12 eats for free with each paying adult (HK$438 plus 10 per cent service charge) at the KITCHEN Saturday (12pm-2.30pm) brunch on December 5, 12, and 19! If you can’t get enough of the stunning panorama West Kowloon harbour views from the restaurant, take the children up to the sky100 Observation Deck for 360-degree views of Hong Kong from the city’s tallest building. Round off the afternoon with some last-minute Christmas shopping at the Elements mall while the children have fun and skate at The Rink.
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36 HANGOUTS
Grab a toffee or salted caramel coffee in the Silk Road Café, get busy learning how to create your own Christmas cards, or just tuck into a gourmet Christmas dinner.
Looking to make a difference in this year’s holiday season of giving? Grab a quality pick-me-up at the Silk Road Café while picking up a few last-minute gifts from Crossroads’ Global Handicrafts Shop. With special Christmas drinks such as chilli hot chocolate (HK$23 for a small, and HK$28 for a large), toffee coffee and salted caramel coffee (HK$25 for a small and HK$30 for a large) made with premium-grade coffee from five different beans, you are sure to be in for a treat. The café uses not only mostly fair trade products, but also food items supplied by social enterprises such as iBakery, run by the charity Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and which employs people with disabilities. In addition to its usual savoury and sweet fare such as quiche (HK$25), bagel with cream cheese (HK$20), cinnamon roll (HK$15) and chocolate muffin (HK$10), the café will be serving seasonal goodies such as mince pies (HK$20), Christmas fruit cake (HK$30), pumpkin spice cake and gingerbread camel-shaped cookies. The café sells fair trade chocolate, sugar, spices, tea and coffee at very reasonable prices and which would make great additions to any home-assembled hamper, or to enjoy personally. The marketplace also features a wide range of gifts and handicrafts created by artisans from around the world, including individuals working with NGOs or others created by co-operatives in the developing world. Nativity sets and decorations are available in their Christmas room, available throughout the year. There is outdoor seating and plenty of space under leafy trees for children to run around outside in the fresh air. Visitors are also welcome to explore a well-tended organic garden just around the corner from the café. Fancy utilising your crafting skills for a Christmas card-making party? Celebrate the holidays with family and friends by utilising your creative design skills to make your own Christmas cards and add a personal touch to your message. Hong Kong Art Tutoring provides all the materials for private parties to make as many cards as you can (be it stick, print or paint) in two hours at their spacious art studio. Priced at HK$500 per adult and HK$450 per child and free for children under the age of three, this is a great way for parents to bond with their children and create a family tradition. The package includes BBQ sausage or veggie sandwiches, with a glass of mulled wine for adults and juice for the children. A minimum charge of HK$5,000 is required to get a card-making party underway, with a maximum of 15 attendees per party. PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
Spoil yourself by ordering a Christmas hamper packed full of luxury treats to make your holiday an extra special occasion.
Want the perfect gourmet Christmas meal in the comfort of your home? To all busy parents who want to skip running around the city with your children in tow picking up items to prepare – and save time cooking traditional family Christmas fare – from November 23, you can have a hassle-free feast delivered to your doorstep from Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong’s Island Gourmet delicatessen. Their famed roast Vermont turkey (weighing in at four kilograms before cooking) is HK$788, HK$1,138 for a larger one weighing six kilograms before cooking. Tailor the portions to your family size and any visiting out-of-town guests, with honey-glazed ham at HK$280 per kilogram and turkey stuffing at only HK$80 per 100 grams. Extra side dishes such as Brussels sprouts, chestnuts, mixed vegetables and mashed potatoes are HK$250 each. Delivery on Hong Kong Island is HK$180, HK$240 for Kowloon, and HK$350 for the New Territories. The order form also lists mouth-watering pastry and cake options, gingerbread houses, Christmas cookies and seasonal-themed chocolates, ensuring all bases are covered for a home festive feast without a hitch. Now all you need to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the fun this season brings with your loved ones while eating in.
Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong 88 Siena Avenue, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island | T: 2295 8288 Hong Kong Art Tutoring 21/F, Chu Kee Building, 435 Kings Road, North Point | T: 9722 8353 Island Gourmet Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Central, Hong Kong | T: 2820 8550 KITCHEN W Hong Kong, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon Station, Kowloon | T: 3717 2299 Silk Road Café Crossroads Foundation, 2 Castle Peak Road, Gold Coast, Tuen Mun, New Territories | T: 2272 9362 The Lobby The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon | T: 2696 6772
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38 PRESENT CHOICES
Party Picks From dashing dinner jackets and waistcoats with pocket squares, to shimmering satin party dresses and cute fluffy sweaters, these red hot picks will delight the mini-fashionistas in your life. Stylish yet practical accessories are the perfect accent to complement party outfits and keep budding style mavens warm during the winter holiday season.
Clothing
Text: Carmen Tao
Iris Tulle Dress (Vanilla Twilight YDS Shimmer) - $200 | b
Ginevra dress $2,880 | c
Craig coat $4,680 | c
Dress $199 | d
Jumper $99 | d
Shirt, vest and tie set $199 | d
Princess shoes $2,720 | c
Kid’s classic bailey collection Bailey Bow $1,690 | h
Fluffy penguin sweater $385 | f
PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
Dinner jacket $299 | d
Waistcoat & pocket square $199 | d
Boys’ accessories $2,880 | c
Bring out the creative side in your children with these funky vibrant toys that are guaranteed to bring loads of laughs and many hours of imaginative free play. Let them build with natural wooden blocks and progress to view shapes differently by creating 3D ones from flat plans using Magformer pieces. Gift them the instruments to sing, dance and make music for a fun and upbeat childhood.
Toys
Conservatory acordion $449 | e
Wooden Guitar - $229 | b
Grand chef chup-chup blue $699 | e
Musical teddy & karaoke $699 | e
i-wow home arcade $699 | e
14x1 eco-robot $399 | e
Magformers XL cruiser set 32pcs $599 | e
Neo-Moto 2.0 Cool $799 | e
Natural coloured wooden blocks $340 | g
Doll pram/walker by Norbert Verneuer $1,580 | g
Play tent (A-Frame) $1,310 | g
Grimm’s wooden rainbow (3 sizes) $200 - $770 | g
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40 PRESENT CHOICES
Countdown to Christmas with a fresh remake of a traditional Advent calendar and make this year a very merry one with our selection of playful stocking filler items. With so many options retailing for less than HK$100, they definitely won’t break the bank while keeping the children amused during the festive holiday season.
Novelties
Advent calendar and its 24 surprises $POA | a
Bright recorders @$40 | b
Light up wand $69 | b
Seed rainbow striped lip gloss tube $55 | f
Jump ball $169 | b
Wooden drum (Scallop) $229 | b
Confetti bounce ball $70 | f
Glitter gem balls @$45 | b
Masks @$90 | f
Comb-in hair chalk $90 | f
Walking spring $29 | b
Glow in the dark shapes (Stars) $89 | b
STORE DIRECTORY a | Bonpoint Shop 325, Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Road, Central | T: 2526 9969 b | Cotton On KIDS 2/F Lee Theatre Plaza, 99 Percival Street, Causeway Bay | T: 2557 1110 c | Gusella Shop No 224, Lee Gardens Two, 28 Yun Ping Road, Causeway Bay | T: 2940 2238 d | H&M Shop No G01, Fashion Walk, 2-20 Paterson Street, Causeway Bay | T: 2337 3400
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e | ItsImagical Shop 209, 2/F, Windsor House, 311 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay | T: 2808 1773 f | Seed Heritage 41 Queens Road, Central | T: 2160 3171 g | Tree Children’s Lodge 2/F 10 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay | T: 6112 8081 h | UGG 2 Yiu Wa Street/15A Matheson Street, Causeway Bay | T: 2893 1338
42 FUN TIME
Lan Kwai Fong Carnival 2015
01
Text: Carmen Tao
Coinciding with the rising popularity of South Korean culture, this year’s Korean-themed Lan Kwai Fong Carnival is shaping up to be a big hit for the entire family. Now in its 14th consecutive year, the festive extravaganza will feature game booths and workshops where you can obtain travel tips, pick up some basic Korean lingo, try your hand at hammering out traditional rice cake or even play the Korean drums. Wo On Lane will be transformed into the Seoul shopping district Myeong-dong, with popular and well-known Korean scenes providing perfect photo opportunities. There will even be onsite professional hairstyling, a make-up service and face painting. Foodies will love the smorgasbord of tempting delicacies from across the globe, and visitors will be entertained by the lively street performers, Korean Taekwondo demonstrations, K-pop dancers and leading Korean singer Lee Harin. Date: November 21-22, 1pm till late Admission: Free Venue: Lan Kwai Fong, Central | T: 2523 8010
02
Cinderella The Panto
Promising exuberant fun for the entire family (from ages three to 93), it just wouldn’t be a proper Christmas without a pantomime. The magical fairytale Cinderella has all the usual characters – the ugly stepsisters, a wicked stepmother, a beautiful young girl and a handsome prince – but there are some new twists with this lively production. There will be a circus setting, merry music and a fabulous script brimming with jokes both old and new. Join in this all-singing all-dancing musical extravaganza, cheer on the goodies, boo the baddies and sing along for a rambunctious good time. Date: December 4-6 and 10-13 Tickets: $290 - $438 Venue: Udderbelly, Central Harbourfront Event Space, 9 Lung Wo Road, Central | T: 3929 9487
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44 FUN TIME
Hong Kong Sinfonietta – Sounds Great: Movies & Musicals
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Keeping music alive and engaging to all, the Hong Kong Sinfonietta and veteran West End singers Janet Mooney and John Langley will perform classic favourites from Les Misérables (I Dreamed a Dream), The Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music (Edelweiss) and contemporary pieces such as Let it Go and In Summer from the Disney animated hit Frozen which took the world by storm. Mooney’s West End credits include Les Misérables and Love Never Dies and she performs regularly with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia, BBC Concert Orchestra and the English National Opera. Langley has featured in productions such as Mamma Mia!, West Side Story, and Carousel while his West End credits include The Phantom of the Opera and Whistle Down the Wind. He is a prolific arranger/orchestrator and has performed with orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall. Get into the Christmas spirit with timeless pieces such Silent Night, Winter Wonderland, Let It Snow and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. With such a varied and lively programme It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Date: December 3-6 Tickets: $150 - $420 Venue: Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall, 5 Edinburgh Place, Central | T: 2836 3336
04
Christmas with Thomas and Friends
Meet the beloved 70-year-old British icon Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends as they get Christmassy on the Island of Sodor in this musical production. The programme begins with everyone on the island abuzz in hopes of the first Christmas snowfall. Meanwhile, Sir Topham Hatt has all the steam engines being “really useful engines”, busy at work loading and unloading the last ship out of Sodor before the winter snow sets in. It’s an entertaining story where friendship, kindness and the spirit of Christmas is central and is a must-see for all train lovers both young and old. Date: December 24-27 Tickets: $385 - $523 Venue: Udderbelly, Central Harbourfront Event Space, 9 Lung Wo Road, Central | T: 3929 9487 PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015
46 FUN TIME
05 The Nutcracker An enchanting holiday tradition for the whole family, Hong Kong Ballet brings Christmas to life through the adventures of Clara and Fritz in one of the world’s favourite ballet productions. The Nutcracker is also one of the best opportunities to introduce children to a full-length live onstage ballet show – beautiful orchestral music performed by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, magical sets, elaborate costumes and both professional and young budding dancers will surely mesmerise the audience. Jurgita Dronina, principal dancer of the National Ballet of Canada, will be guest principal dancer in the 7.30pm performances on December 25 and 2.30pm on December 26. A “Get-to-know The Nutcracker” sneak peek at the production will be held on December 8, and pre-performance workshops and talks will be conducted at various times on December 19. There’s also the option to turn the evening into a “dinner and a show” as ticket holders can enjoy a same-day 15 per cent off food and beverages at all restaurants and bars at the InterContinental Hong Kong. Date: December 18-20 and 22-27 Tickets: $180 - $1,000 Venue: Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | T: 2105 9724
06
Cantonese Opera Fun Day
Hosted by the Cantonese Opera Advancement Association, the fun day has attracted more than 10,000 participants each year since 2010. There will be six live performances with 10 professional performers acting out comedies, romance and action stories on stage. Professional artists will help visitors try onstage make-up and dress up in real theatrical costumes. A live band will play 10 popular Cantonese opera songs and attendees are invited to sing along karaoke-style. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about this popular form of drama and musical theatre and have a fun yet different family day out. Date: December 13, 12:30pm - 5pm Admission: Free Venue: Sha Tin Town Hall Plaza, 1 Yuen Wo Road, Sha Tin | T: 2691 2937
PARENTS’ GUIDE 2015