September 2012
I won’t go! Quick fixes for school refusal Homeschooling An interesting alternative No vacancy Is there space for your kids?
September 2012
SMART 30 FOODS THINK70 88 ABOUT IT BACK TO SCHOOL BUGS
10 6 FIT FOR YOUR PRINCESS
news resources
10 WHAT’S ON 34 TOY BOX A look at what’s going on this month Toys that teach and amuse
14 HOT OFF THE PRESS 36 BOOKSHELF Hip new shops, services and products Perfect picks for reading together
22 FINGER ON THE PULSE 38 HOMEWORK HAULERS Parenting news from around the world Fashionable and fun backpacks for kids
24 ECO HERO 40 TOOLBOX Ideas and products for greener living The right gear makes homework fun.
advice 42 TRAVEL-WRITING CONTEST! Want to be a travel writer? Here’s 26 BEAUTY 101 your chance! Top tips for looking your best 127 STOCKISTS 28 IN YOUR OPINION See something you like? We’ll tell you Photography Readers’ thoughts on timely topics where to get it. Melanie Adamson 30 SMART FOODS Model Can what your child eats affect his IQ? Kennedy 32 TRUANT TYKES Not everyone’s excited about heading back to class. Here’s what you need to know about school refusal.
Bookshelf Toy Box Eco Hero pg 36 pg 34 pg 24 September 2012
HARVEST 45 MOON
110 FRAME 56 STAY-AT-HOME … FOCUS TEACHER?
features
45 HARVEST MOON 88 BACK TO SCHOOL BUGS Mid-Autumn Festival presents a great opportunity for you and Kids and teachers aren’t the only ones heading back into your kids to learn about an important Chinese celebration. the classroom.
48 NO ROOM AT THE INN 90 HEADS UP What happens when the schools are full and there’s no space If you catch your children clawing at their heads, there's a good available for your child? chance they have head lice.
56 STAY-AT-HOME … TEACHER? 94 HONG KONG ABCS Homeschooling looks to be gaining popularity in Hong Kong. Learn the stories behind Hong Kong's streets and neighbourhoods.
64 ALL TOGETHER NOW 106 FIT FOR YOUR PRINCESS Is mainstream school in Hong Kong an option for children with a When your family stays at The Ritz-Carlton Sanya, it’s not just diagnosis on the autistic spectrum? Mum and Dad who should expect VIP treatment.
70 THINK ABOUT IT 110 FRAME FOCUS Learning is about more than repeating facts and figures. This season, trend-setting is all about the glasses. Here, we show you the shapes and styles in the spotlight. 76 DEGREES OF SUCCESS Can education consultants really get your kids into the 121 SUPERFOOD HEROES Ivy League? Kick-start your day with these recipes from gourmet raw food chef and mum, Priscilla Soligo. 82 SCREEN TEST With technology playing an ever-increasing role in 21st-century 140 LAST WORD life, what does this mean for our children? Education is not just for kids: adults can enhance their careers with academic magic, says Nury Vittachi.
Editor-in-chief Tracey Starr t: 2201 9710 e: [email protected]
PUBLIcations director Jo Allum t: 2201 9719 e: [email protected]
Advertising sales MANAGER Wendy Clarke Angela Baura t: 2201 9724 e: [email protected] Angela was born and bred in not-so-sunny
England, where she spent most of her childhood Ad vERTISINg Sales and DistributioN years performing on stage, writing poetry and Florence Choy Wan reading books. Her head was so buried in her t: 2201 9721 e: [email protected] books she completely forgot to apply to universities. In a mad rush, she copied a friend’s application forms and found herself studying Ad vERTISINg ACCOUNT MANAGER information technology for three long and boring years. After two Narelle Edwards equally dull years of working as an IT consultant, she decided to ditch e: [email protected] programming and head for the glamorous world of public relations. In 2006, Angela and her husband both found opportunities to continue Ad vERTISINg ACCOUNT MANAGER their careers in Hong Kong. But then she fell pregnant and, when her Christine Clarke t: 2201 9705 first daughter was born, fell head over heels in love. Angela now e: [email protected] dedicates all of her time to her two darling daughters, and, whenever possible, squeezes in her passion for photography and her writing Ad vERTISINg ACCOUNT MANAGER business “Wobblysteps”. Vanessa Leuenberger t: 2201 9711 e: [email protected]
C rEATIVE Director Gabriel Kicks Melanie Adamson Melanie grew up in Mississauga, which is just outside At r Director Toronto, Canada. Her passion for photography Timmy Ho began at the tender age of ten and has not waned since, even when her parents told her it was not an acceptable career choice. Her move to Hong Kong in 2001 afforded her Graphic Designer the opportunity to open her own studio – a dream come true. Susan Chen Melanie is also passionate about travel and she takes advantage of every opportunity to see the world and capture her unique perspective
of it from behind the lens. She is currently working towards a goal of visiting Graphic Designer 100 countries. Spurred on by tales from friends and acquaintances, she is Eman Lam heading towards the halfway point and busily planning her trips for 2013. Melanie and her husband have two daughters, aged eight and ten. CEO D avid Tait t: 2201 9727 e: [email protected]
FORscriptions Sub & Distribution t: 2201 9721
CONTRIBUTORS: Melanie Adamson; Angela Baura; Larissa Downes; Rennie Fensham; Olivia Hungerford; Ingrid Keneally; Mishi Khanna; Elle Kwan; Aileen Lai; Monica Proctor; John Shanahan; Eleanor Smallwood; Nury Vittachi
Pushebli d by: PPP Company Ltd, Unit 713, Level 7, Core E Cyberport 3, 100 Cyberport Road Cyberport, Hong Kong Tel: +852 2201 9716 PRINTED by: Paramount Printing Company Ltd. in Hong Kong ISSN 1726-183X
Published by PPP Company Limited. The publication is sold on the understanding that the publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors or omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication. The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a purchaser of the publication or not, in respect of any action or omission or the consequences of any action or omission by any such person, whether whole or partial, upon the whole or part of the contents of this publication. All rights reserved, 2012 PPP Company Limited. No part of this work, covered by the publisher’s copyright may be reproduced in any form by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or information storage and retrieval, without the written permission of the publisher. Any unauthorised use of this publication 6 Playtimes will result in immediate legal proceedings.
welcome Tracey and models Emma and Kennedy s it really back-to-school time already? I hope you’ve all enjoyed your summer holidays, wherever you spent them. With no August issue to contend with, the Playtimes team hopped Ioff the treadmill for a few moments, too. Some of us travelled – I was lucky enough to spend time with friends and family in both the US and Europe – and some of us stayed closer to home – flip to page 14 for news about our own Florence Choy and her new baby girl. However you spent your holidays, I hope you and your family are geared up for another exciting school year. To get you in the mood, we’ve got an issue jam-packed with articles about education. Are you worried about whether there’ll be a space for your child when school time comes? Have you ever considered homeschooling? We address both topics inside. Do you wish your kids would get as excited about their schoolwork as they do about their video games? We’ve got tricks from the game makers that might just help you in the homework battle. Can Hong Kong’s mainstream schools help kids who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder? You’ll find this and so many more answers inside. You might have noticed that this issue seems a bit heftier than normal. I’m delighted to say that this is the biggest issue in Playtimes history! We haven’t quite caught up with the folks at Vogue, where their September issue is clocking in at nearly 1,000 pages – but we’re on our way, and pretty proud of it. This month marks my own two-year anniversary with Playtimes and I’m having such fun, together with the team, growing the magazine from the 68 pages per month we averaged until 2010 to the big book we present to you today. I do hope you’re enjoying reading the added articles as much as we enjoy putting them together.
Thanks for reading,
Tracey Starr, Editor-in-Chief
8 Playtimes
September The hottest happenings around town
The French Speaking Association of Math Monkey hosts Dr Caroline Kwok, Little drama queens and kings – from tots Hong Kong, Accueil, hosts a coffee from 1pm to 2:30pm, to share tips on to teens – can attend Faust International morning at Aberdeen Marina Club, helping your kids become happier, Youth Theatre’s trial drama workshop. Email and welcomes anyone who can speak healthier and smarter. Call 2307 1028 to [email protected], or call 2547 9114. French. Click www.hkaccueil.com. book your place.
If you love Hong Kong and want to make it even better, then join in on Kids of all ages will enjoy the live music Ecozine and National Geographic and dance jamming at Rock A Baby’s Kidz Channel’s Hong Kong Clean-up. Click Clubbing event at Stanley Market. Visit hkcoastalcleanup.org. www.rockababy.com.hk.
See all seven Harry Potter books condensed into one 70-minute parody, Solo singers aged nine to 14 can audition featuring all your favourite Tiny Footprints hosts speaker Dr Lily Wong for the December production of The characters. Buy tickets at from The London Medical Clinic to Snowman & The Bear. Call 2864 2158, or www.hkticketing.com. discuss common childhood ailments and email [email protected] for details. vaccinations. Head to 10/F, 1 Duddell Street, Central, from 3pm to 4pm.
10 P laytimes
Baby bliss
Our Playtimes teammate, Florence, and her husband Gary are proud to announce the arrival of Iriel Wan, their second beautiful daughter, on 26 July. Iriel was born at the Canossa Hospital weighing a healthy 8.8lbs. We’re sure you’ll join us in wishing a warm welcome to Iriel and hearty congratulations to Flo and Gary. We're looking forward to Flo returning to work once she’s Funky bonded with her lovely new baby. Birthday books furniture Happy birthday to Bayard Presse Asia, celebrating its 35th anniversary! Bayard publishes and distributes eight magazines, A firm favourite in the local design and furnishings scene, including four Chinese magazines (Little Toy Car, Little Red Indigo Living has expanded its kids’ range of fun and Apple, Red Apple and White Antelope), three English magazines functional furniture, suitable from tiny tots all the way up (StoryBox, AdventureBox and DiscoveryBox) and a bilingual to tricky teens. In stock now are several quality items from magazine (I Love English) to help children on their journey of Norwegian brand, Stokke, designed to grow with your child. learning and reading development. Bayard magazines are Check out the ergonomic eco-friendly Tripp Trapp beech educational as well as fun for readers. Publications are available highchair, complete with funky colourful seating. Other new by subscription at www.bayard.com.hk, or from Dymocks and offerings include BlaBla fair trade cute character soft toys Cosmos bookstores. ($420 to $520) expertly knitted in Peru. Check out Indigo’s extensive range in store or online at www.indigo-living.com. hot off the press Boxing clever Since the opening of its large flagship club in Central back in March (1/F, 29 Queen’s Road), Epic MMA’s champion-level instructors have helped train members in a variety of martial arts disciplines, including Muay Thai and Western boxing, to reach a higher level of fitness. They train all levels, from beginners to advanced fighters, and offer instruction to kids keen for a different approach to functional exercise coupled with learning an exciting new discipline. Check out the club’s inspiring facilities and programmes at www.epicmmaclub.com.
14 Playtimes shodStylishly Searching for kids’ shoes but can’t find the right pair? We all know that children need high quality footwear, fitted for growing feet, but that feels and look good, too. Newly opened apple & pie promises to fulfil all your children’s footwear needs from their store at One Island South in Aberdeen. They stock a wide range of top quality, European brands, which are bound to Balancing please discerning parents and children alike. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff will help make shopping for kids’ shoes a pleasure rather than a pain. For more information, go to www.appleandpie.com. bike As a parent of two kids, Ryan McFarland became frustrated with the drawbacks of traditional beginner bikes where tricycles trip over or training-wheels wobble, The write stuff creating fear and hesitancy. After tinkering with several ideas, the answer hit him: balance and co-ordination should be taught before pedalling! He reckons that the traditional methods of learning to ride a bike have it backwards, placing too much focus on learning to pedal. Reversing that style, with children learning balance and co- ordination first, bike riding becomes a breeze. Enter The Strider™ PREbike – a parent-friendly, child-focused Start the new school year off right with Faber-Castell’s stylish stationery and iconic bike, suitable from toddlers upwards, writing instruments. Newly launched Perfect Pencil III and Grip Textliner highlighter with adjustable parts for growing have both won awards for innovation and are sure to inspire creative and kids. The Strider is very light with tyres imaginative students. The Perfect Pencil, $26 each, lives up to its name with a pencil which never need air. To learn more, sharpener in the cap and a smudge-free eraser at the end. The new Grip Textliner click www.stridersports.com.hk. range, $15 each, combines a unique, ergonomic design with cost-effectiveness. When ink runs out, simply insert a refill, $23 each. Find them where stationery and office products are sold. Detox drink Detox, which seems to be a buzzword in the current health and beauty scene, can begin with your first sip of water after exercise or a spa treatment. Local beauty expert Queenie, who devotes much of her time to researching health and keeping healthy, is a big fan of Crystal Geyser. She insists on drinking this natural spring water from the snow-capped mountains of Shasta in Northern California, which is full of mineral essences and purified from years of filtration through layers of quartz sedimentary rocks. Queenie sips Crystal Geyser to detox after exercise or, for an easy beauty fix, mixes it with honey for a soothing facial mask. Do you? Learn more at www.crystalgeyser.hk.
September 2012 15 Puppy Seeing love the If you have space in your heart and in your home for a devoted dog, then go along to pet supplies store Whiskers sums N Paws for Puppy Adoption Days at In maths, seeing is understanding. At KidSciences Education Centre, they believe Horizon Plaza, every Sunday from 2pm in teaching maths the “visual way”. Maths can be difficult to understand when to 5pm. Whiskers N Paws provides the children are limited to using only symbols and equations. With the visual way space and Hong Kong Dog Rescue of learning, they develop the skills and intuition needed for solving complex (HKDR) brings along adorable puppies problems. Today almost all universities require a basic proficiency in maths, so for adoption. This weekly event has it’s important that kids get off on the right foot. KidSciences Education Centre found homes for more than 450 dogs offers a primary maths programme matched to the local maths curriculum, as since 2008 and allows you to get to well as maths curricula adopted in other developed countries, and a secondary know the available puppies and chat programme based on the IB Maths curriculum. Check out www.kidsciences.com. with other pet owners and HKDR’s friendly volunteers. These furry friends who need a new home have all been rescued from being put to sleep and are health-checked before heading Move on, mossies home with you. To find out more about adopting a dog, visit www.wnp.com.hk The Para’Kito natural, refillable wristband offers long- or www.hongkongdogrescue.com. lasting mosquito protection. Chemical-free and waterproof, Para’Kito provides up to 15 consecutive days of protection that’s safe for everyone, including pregnant women and young children. Simply insert the active pellet into the easy-to-wear wristband and enjoy personal protection for all your activities. Because the pellet doesn’t touch the skin, even people susceptible to skin allergies and irritations can use it. Para’Kito wristbands are available in a range of colours and designs. The price, which we accidentally misstated in our June issue, is actually $145 for the wristband and two pellets, and $95 for refill packs. Learn more at http://hk.parakito.com. Cookie Queen Honey Pie specialises in baking American-style cookies for parties, corporate events or those “just because” moments. When Justine, an American living in Hong Kong, couldn’t find the perfect cookie, she started making her own using recipes, developed through years of baking for family and friends back in Houston and Chicago. She now sells her creations in an array of delicious flavours, including JBo’s Mess (oats, chocolate chips and coconut), peanut butter crunch and oatmeal raisin. Orders are delivered in a box tied with a yellow bow and will bring a sweet smile to the recipient (and whoever is lucky to share the treats). To order tasty cookies and moreish muffins, email [email protected], or call 6739 0192.
16 Playtimes
Young yogis
To balance your kids’ learning with play, why not try yoga? Children will get a thrill from being a tree, a crow or doing a downward-facing dog. Yoga is a great way to wind down after a long school day, releasing extra energy and helping the transition into evening. Green Frog Yoga is offering two new afterschool classes in Mid-Levels on Mondays. For little ones, there’s a class at 3:15pm, which they can attend with a parent or helper. Older children can try the Food drop-off class at 4:15pm, where they can enjoy a fun and active yoga practice, then wind down with kid-friendly relaxation exercises. To find out more, email [email protected], or visit www.facebook.com/greenfrogyoga. Thefun Lunch Punch® cutters turn an ordinary lunchtime into a special occasion with interactive fun for your little one. These sandwich cutters are specifically designed to capture the most amount of bread while cutting the crust off your sandwich. They are deeper than most cookie cutters, making it easier to cut through two slices of bread and, what’s more, they are perfect for little hands. So, the kids can even help make their own sandwiches. All Lunch Punch® cutters are BPA-, phthalate-, Bags of style and lead-free, and made from FDA- Much loved by Hong Kong mums, Penny Scallan products are renowned for their certified food-grade plastic. They are functional and contemporary style, and the newly released range of original, dishwasher-safe and come in 100 per eye-catching creative designs does not disappoint. Kids will love the colourful cent recyclable packaging. The Lunch backpacks, lunchboxes and BPA-free stainless steel drink bottles, whilst the Punch® is available in four fun designs at pencil cases ensure the designer style extends well after the school bell rings. The www.tickitey-boo.com. drawstring bags are ideal for swimming gear, homework or sports. All items have a water-resistant lining and are coated, so a simple wipe over keeps them clean. Shop online at www.pennyscallan.biz, or visit stockists including Bumps to Babes.
Interesting interiors As soon as Simone Daly, founder of Attic Lifestyle, met Caroline Van Thiel of new furniture concept MyWoodz, it was a match made in (interiors) heaven. My Woodz combines modern Western furniture in sophisticated colours with a Chinese twist, ideal for this cosmopolitan society. Simone and Caroline’s similar styles led to Attic Lifestyle stocking an edited range of My Woodz furniture at its showroom, where they already sell an eclectic mix of treasures, sourced mainly from South Africa and Denmark. Visit Attic Lifestyle at Unit 4, 12/F, Sungib Industrial Building, 53 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, or shop online at www.attic-lifestyle.com or www.mywoodz.com.
18 Playtimes
If you’re looking for a unique way to capture memories, then try your hand Making at scrapbooking with Twitties Memories. This company specialises in creating memories handmade or digital artistic memories from pictures, and offers crafty, creative courses in scrapbooking and mixed media for all ages. The idea is to create a beautiful memory from one or more pictures through collage, painting, inks, Easy templates, cutting, embellishments and other fun techniques and materials. peasy meals They can also arrange birthday parties or other creative get-togethers, whilst If you’ve been waiting for healthy and those pressed for time can get Twitties tasty chef-made meals for the whole to produce a scrapbook for them. At family to enjoy at home, then Hong Kong Twitties Memories, you’re sure to make Personal Chef can solve your cuisine an arty and unique souvenir of life’s crisis. They now offer beef lasagne, fish special moments. Visit their website at pie and shepherd’s pie in a family-sized www.twittiesmemories.com. pack suitable for four to six, for $250. They use excellent quality ingredients and cook classic dishes the way you’d Charitable connection love to if you had time. The delicious- sounding shepherd’s pie is made with Tiny Footprints is helping to make it easier to help those less fortunate by partnering Australian lamb shoulder, slowly cooked with Feeding Hong Kong, a charity that collects food from local businesses and with fresh stock, Australian carrots and distributes it to those in need. To add your help to this worthy cause, you can French peas, then covered with a layer purchase jarred food at Tiny Footprints – at a 30 per cent discount – to donate to of roasted parsnip and topped with Feeding Hong Kong, and Tiny Footprints will even match your donation. mashed US Russet potatoes. Delivery is To learn more about Feeding Hong Kong, check out www.feedinghk.org, or free on all orders over $400. Click www.facebook.com/feedinghk. To learn more about Tiny Footprints, click www.hongkongkongpersonalchef.com. www.tinyfootprints.com. Get labelled Stuck On You has launched exciting new colours in their popular Original Classic Labels line. These funky hues range from Bambino soft blue and green for the boys to Cherry red and pinks for teenage girls. Kids can choose their favourite shade, or opt for a pack of house colours. Parents will love that these labels stops kids’ belongings getting lost, whilst kids will adore their groovy designs. Why not try the Stuck on You preview tool and create personalised products online at www.stuckonyou.hk? Fun phonics At Phonics Land Learning Centre, children learn to become independent, guided and encouraged by their teachers to learn skills such as feeding themselves, dressing and clearing up toys. Children are praised and nurtured, and there’s time for active play, art and music in different areas of the classroom. The centre’s programmes are structured and goal-oriented, teaching children to read and spell within a very short period of time, while making phonics interesting, fun and easy. Also on offer is the My Little Classroom English pre-school programme, offered three times daily, for children aged 18 months to three years. See for yourself by experiencing a trial day of school with your child for free. For details, call 2576 2333.
20 Playtimes sponsored feature
After school fun Activities abound this autumn with popular programmes at Hong Kong Parkview.
new school term has started and it’s a good time Another exciting sports programme is Rugby4kids, to factor in some fun for the family when the in which qualified international coaches provide training school bell rings! for kids ages two to six in passing, kicking, catching and Hong Kong Parkview offers a full try-scoring, with the use of soft, small rugby balls. Soccer, Aspectrum of kids’ activities, all designed to build physical basketball, dance and martial arts round out the sports coordination, heighten spatial awareness, boost kids’ offerings at Parkview. confidence and provide loads of excitement, fun and With hot weather still holding sway, it is a friendship. All members are welcome. wonderful time for fun in the water. Splash's learn to swim programme at Parkview is perfect for kids of all New kid's activities in the pipeline ages, closely following the internationally acclaimed Sports and being outside top the list of kids’ all-time AUSTSWIM teaching precepts and practices. Kids favourite activities. At Parkview, “Tiger,” an internationally progress through nine different proficiency levels to become acclaimed mini-tennis programme, is tailor-made to help strong swimmers, safe in the water. kids from a young age progressively develop into all-round Splash presents classes for babies and toddlers to learn tennis players. The first of Tiger’s three stages, Mini Red, swimming fundamentals, with parents welcome to join allows toddlers as young as two-and-a-half years old to in. A high teacher-to-child ratio further ensures swimmer learn movement, gain coordination and develop interest in safety and makes learning more personal. Splash offers rallying and more. The second stage, Mini Orange, uses a three levels of classes, for babies from the age of six months smaller court and a special mini-tennis ball that bounces up to toddlers of three-and-a-half years. less, letting kids focus on gaining skills for frustration-free, full-on fun. Tiger’s final stage, Mini Green, offers a full- Hong Kong Parkview sized court and a softer, lighter – and slower – training ball, 88 Tai Tam Reservoir Road, Hong Kong so kids gain tactics and competitive tips along with skills. www.hongkongparkview.com Adventurous kids also will be drawn to the new climbing Email: [email protected] programme at Parkview with its progressive and certified Tel: (852) 2812 3945 climbing levels, all led by professional YMCA instructors to Membership package available enhance young climbers’ strength and coordination skills.
September 2012 21 Be like Batman At the Cornell Food and Brand Lab, researchers have found an easy way to help kids make healthier choices, and it 64Kids between three and five years old who were exposed works with adults, too. Before researchers took kids to a fast- only to age-appropriate, non-violent viewing materials in food restaurant where they would decide between French the hour before bed were 64 per cent less likely to have fries and apple slices, they asked half of the kids, “What any type of sleep disturbance, such as trouble falling would Batman choose?” Regardless of how they answered, asleep, difficulty staying asleep or nightmares, according 40 per cent more kids who were asked the question opted to a new study. source: HealthDay for the apples. source: AARP The Magazine finger on the pulse Text messaging may lead to declining language and grammar skills, according to researchers at Penn State University. When tweens text, they often use shortcuts, such as homophones (like gr8 for great), omit non-essential letters or use initials Not so (like LOL for laugh out loud), or spell the word incorrectly (like wud for would), to compose a text message quickly and efficiently. But those tweens who text frequently performed poorly on a grammar test, seemingly lacking the ability to switch between textspeak and the normal rules of grammar. Interestingly, typical punctuation and sentence structure shortcuts that tweens use during texting, such as avoiding capital letters and not using full-stops at the end of sentences, did not seem to affect their ability to use correct capitalisation and punctuation gr8 on the tests. source: Penn State Newswire Lighten
theA backpack loaded with booksload and gear can be a heavy burden for your child. Take these steps to keep their backs healthy and strong. • Ensure that your kids carry no more than the equivalent of ten to 15 per cent of their body weight in their packs. • Encourage your kids to use both shoulder straps. Slinging the backpack over one shoulder can cause muscle pain in the neck, back and shoulder. • Let kids figure out where it fits most comfortably, but try to tighten the straps so that the pack sits close to the body without pulling on their shoulders. • Distribute the load throughout all the different compartments to even out the weight. source: WebMD
22 Playtimes sponsored feature calling all kids! Kidville Hong Kong opens this month with something for every kid, from newborn to six years old.
idville – named “Best Tot Hot Spot” by New Parties York Magazine – has opened a 4,500-square-foot Kidville locations worldwide host more than 7,500 birthday facility at Wan Chai, offering a wide range parties a year. Kidville Hong Kong offers two all-inclusive of developmental classes, parties, pre-school and fully customizable party packages, plus more than 15 alternatives,K camp and more. Parents will find everything age-appropriate themes for children up to age nine. they need for their kids here, including an indoor play space and retail boutique. Fun and familiar geometric shapes are the design foundation for the Kidville interior space. With vibrant colors, the design elements encourage exploration and intuitively guide children Grand Opening throughout the space. This playful and cross-functional design provides the perfect setting for everything from intimate classes to The first outpost in Southeast Asia, Kidville Hong Kong will host big blow-out birthday parties. three special grand opening celebrations featuring activities, refreshments and Kidville’s signature music program, Rockin’ Classes Railroad, on Saturday, 1 September, Sunday, 2 September, In its inaugural semester, Kidville Hong Kong will offer and Saturday, 8 September, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm more than 20 class titles in the areas of gym, music, art, and 2 pm to 5 pm. The Rockin’ Railroad concert will begin enrichment and dance, all led by an experienced team of at 11am and 3:30 pm each day. The cost for admission is “play professionals.” $150 per family. A portion of the proceeds from the grand opening events and from every class purchase from now Pre-school alternative until 30th September will be donated to SPCA (HK). Kidville University (KVU) is the most popular pre- Free trial classes will be offered from 3 through 7 school alternative program in New York City. Focusing September. The inaugural 16-week Fall 2012 semester on physical, cognitive, social, language, and artistic begins the week of September 10th. development, the KVU approach provides a comprehensive To learn more, please visit www.kidville.hk. program for children aged 20 months to three years old. KVU guides toddlers through social skills within a playful setting as they transition to school. The class offers 2/F Prime Mansion, a curriculum that stimulates their natural curiosity as they 183-187 Johnston Road, explore new ideas. Separate, unique play spaces that offer Wan Chai, Hong Kong blocks, dramatic play, books, sensory and art tools, and T: 2892 8893 fine- and gross-motor play encourage young children to W: www.kidville.hk explore, try and think creatively. Perfect pitcher Before it reaches your home, your tap water travels a long way, possibly being contaminated by corroding pipes, rusty connections or poorly-maintained storage containers along the way. The Giabo Rechargeable UV Water Pitcher uses advanced water filtration and UV sterilisation technology to remove most of the heavy metals, chlorine and contaminants in water, killing germs and bacteria whilst retaining nutrients. With no complicated installation required and each filter cartridge capable of filtering 150 litres of water, it’s set to be a kitchen essential. For folks on the go, a universal voltage AC/DC adaptor is provided for travelling. Learn more at www.giabo.com. eco hero Reuse, Quality quilts
rejuvenate, For the best in bedding, head to Kokoon, exclusive distributor of Kelly & Windsor’s recycle! Australian-made pure alpaca quilts, pillows and underblankets. Kelly & Windsor offers the world’s first bamboo alpaca quilts, blending soft alpaca fleece Sad, but true, our homes produce 50 per (naturally clean and free of chemicals) with cent of the city’s waste, of which only 14 breathable bamboo (highly absorbent and per cent is recycled. The good news is naturally anti-bacterial). Combining these that a section of our society is committed two natural fibres results in an exceptionally to reducing waste -- which is good, soft, lightweight and hypoallergenic because landfill space is expected to run quilt that’s certified by Oeko-Tex, an out in six years! Now, for the paltry sum international safety benchmark. Sleep safe of $20 per week, HK Recycles will collect and sound under these machine-washable your recyclables from outside your door. quilts, available from single to super-king So, go green with ease by signing up for a size. Learn more at www.kokoon.biz, or starter kit. Even better, they’re committed visit the shop: 11F Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing to employing marginalised members of Street, Ap Lei Chau. society – a true win-win solution. Check it out now on www.hkrecycles.com. Power drinks
Purever Canada Açaí Superfruit Juice is made with naturally organic açaí berries, grown wild on palm trees in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. The 100 per cent natural juices provide a great source of antioxidants, dietary fibre, omegas-3, 6 and 9, and abundant amino acids, and contain no chemicals, additives, preservatives, gluten or added sugar. To power up your breakfasts, visit www.greenibase.com. Six lucky readers will win an Açaí Superfruit Juice gift pack, worth $294, including the three flavours of Original, Blueberry and Mango Açaí Berry in family-size bottles. Email [email protected] by 30 September and include “Win Greenibase” in the subject line.
24 Playtimes
Win! Summer bun Have a question Don’t let a bad hair day or summer’s relentless for Rennie? Send us your question and Rennie humidity keep you from looking lovely. Follow might just answer it in an upcoming these steps and you’ll have a fun bun that’s issue. The first five readers to email perfect for day or evening. us a beauty question will win a 30-minute facial and a mini make-up session with Rennie! Email [email protected] by 30 September and include “Win Beauty” in the subject line.
1 Start by combing out dry hair. Buns are often easiest to do with hair that hasn’t been freshly washed. Try this style a day or two after you’ve shampooed, or on any bad hair day.
2 Comb all of the hair into a high ponytail and secure with an elastic band. (Use two bands if your hair is very thick.) Use hairspray to smooth any flyaways.
3 Back-comb (tease) the loose end of the ponytail.
4 Sculpt the teased hair into the shape of a bun and secure it all the way around with bobby pins. Leave one small strand of hair free.
7 5 Twist that last strand of hair and wrap it around the bun to hide the bobby pins. Secure the strand with a bobby pin.
6 Your bun is complete.
beauty 101 7 Add a flower (real or artificial) to change the 1 2 3 look, if you like.
Award-winning hair stylist and make- up artist Rennie Fensham is well- 4 5 6 known for her passion and skills. Her glamorous background spans 28 years of working in beauty, fashion and TV, in South Africa, the US and, for the last five years, in Hong Kong.
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took a ’m hoping to re-learn my Mandarin here are a few things photography speaking, writing and reading skills that I plan to do once my course in – for my own benefit and also with daughter starts P1 and IDecember and Ihopes of helping my kids with their T our third child arrives in I’m hoping to learn homework. – Sharon mid-September. I will be sitting to be quicker with for an exam so that my husband the settings so I and I can start our own business can capture better have always wanted to learn how to in October. On top of that, I will action shots of the crochet. It’s old-fashioned, but this year be trying my hand at being an kids on their bikes, I want to crochet a winter beanie for accessories consultant. Hopefully playing footy and in Imy son. – Elizabeth these will keep the baby blues the surf. – Tania away! – S in your opinion We asked: Most of the back-to-school attention is on the kids. But, is there anything you’re hoping to learn this year?
’m hoping to would love to take a part-time y youngest is starting school, which gives me lots learn how to graphic design course that I could of free time. Yale University offers some online bake so I can attend after work. I’d also love to courses and I plan to pick one course and see it Imake beautiful, Itake a dress-making course. – Kim Mthrough. Fingers crossed! – Shweta healthy birthday cakes for my son, ’ve started a two-year would like to learn hubby and parents have been reading up on the world part-time diploma in early how to be a make- this year. – Wynne of retail with a view to opening my Ichildhood education. – Karen Iup artist. – Ike Ifirst store next spring! – Jane
elekinesis would be helpful. Being able to implant positive ’ve decided to unlearn my old bad behaviour thoughts into my kids’ habits, which is actually harder than Theads would certainly reduce Itrying to learn new good habits! – Tina the amount of shouting I do. – Kathryn
ack home, I was working full-time, going to school part-time, and looking after the girls while my husband travelled for work. BNow that my girls are starting school, I’m taking advantage of my free time to complete my degree in business management, majoring in human resources. – Tammie
just joined a Thai-boxing course. You might think that this is cruel, bloody and only for men, but that’s Inot true – there are many women in the class as well. They also offer classes for kids, and I’m considering bringing my son with me and turning it into a good activity for us to share. – Eunice
28 Playtimes sponsored feature Great English
reat English – I’m Reading One is designed for reader time to internalize the letter names and sounds of young children beginning to learn to read in the alphabet, so allow the reader time. It is vital that the English. It combines phonics and sight words to reader learns the sounds of the letters as this is the first build basic reading skills. Great English – I’m stage for a solid foundation in English reading. Each reader GReading One also introduces vocabulary in meaningful is different and will develop at their own pace. The reader language contexts alongside simple grammatical structures, will need to hear and repeat the tutorials many times so that learners can swiftly make spoken language progress before the letter names and their sounds are internalized. in addition to reading skills. A child who is a strong reader Letter name and sound recognition is vital to successful has a strong foundation on which to build solid writing reading. Give the reader plenty of time and practice. and speaking skills. Great English – I’m Reading One is Both for native English speakers and non-English a whole language program and its philosophy is simply speakers, learning to read in English presents a similar that all language is in reading. Therefore, a child who set of challenges. It is well accepted that the best way to reads competently in English will be well placed to write, learn new vocabulary is through reading and research understand and speak the language confidently too. suggests that this is also true for second language learners. Great English – I’m Reading One is simple to use. However, whether a native speaker of English or an English Start the reading program at the first ABC tutorial and as a second language student, in order to learn to read, work systematically through to tutorial 28. The themed phonological awareness of the English language is vital for units, Numbers, My Body, Colours, Hello/Good-bye and success. To read well in English, the reader must develop Feelings Yes/No have been added to allow the young phonological awareness, word recognition and spelling reader learn some basic vocabulary in preparation for concurrently. Great English I’m Reading One will help Great English – I’m Reading Two. It will take the young your child develop these essential reading skills.
About Ms Katrina Bourke Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, Katrina moved to Hong Kong in 1996. Since arriving in Hong Kong, Katrina has been teaching English to children, teens and adults of all levels. Holding a first degree in Linguistics, a Teaching Certificate in English as a Foreign Language and a Master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language, Katrina is www.GreatEng.com ideally placed to guide learners confidently to success in English. Katrina is passionate 成功就在一瞬間 about teaching and working with youngsters.
September 2012 29 Smart foods Can what your child eats affect his IQ? Nutrition counsellor Monica Proctor thinks so.
ntelligence quotient, or IQ, is one measure of a child’s • Berries are sweet sources of antioxidants. Kick-start a power intelligence. While there are different forms of intelligence, breakfast by topping porridge or yogurt with them. including emotional and physical, and different ways of • Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for brain development Imeasuring it, an IQ score is one important measure for and can be found in flaxseed oil, walnuts, mackerel, herring, educational placement that can influence a child’s path from sardines, and wild or organic salmon. If you’re concerned kindergarten and beyond. about heavy metals in fish, consider serving just two portions The basic structure of your child’s brain is set by his or her per week or having your kids take a high quality fish oil genetics; however, what you feed them, in combination with supplement instead. their environment and what they learn, can help develop and • Free-range eggs are a perfect source of protein and also make the most of that structure as they grow. contain choline – an amino acid that aids memory and In a study conducted at the University of Queensland in growing brain cells. Consider including eggs in buckwheat Australia, researchers concluded that children who are fed pancakes, salad and burritos. insufficient amounts of key nutrients may have deficient brain • High-fibre wholegrain foods provide a constant supply of growth and development, resulting in lower IQs, reduced energy. Oatmeal, brown rice or quinoa language development and slower fine-motor development. A can be topped with chia, sunflower, survey conducted by the non-profit educational charity Food pumpkin and hemp seeds, a dash for the Brain concluded that the best foods for good academic of honey, or coconut nectar and grades are dark leafy vegetables, oily fish and water. The worst cinnamon, depending on what your foods are processed foods and ready-made meals. child prefers. Be sure to avoid refined carbohydrate snacks, Feed your mind foods and sugary drinks. So, if processed foods are bad, then what should your kids • Iron is key for concentration be eating to ensure their brains are receiving optimum levels and staying energised, and of nutrients? can be found in red meat • Colourful vegetables such as spinach and kale are loaded kebabs, bean congees, with phytonutrients – organic components of plants that and green smoothies. A bit of are thought to promote human health – along with vitamins orange juice or vitamin C along and minerals that are ideal for peak brain performance. If with a source of iron will help the your kids aren’t into spinach or kale salads yet, try blending body absorb it better. leafy greens into smoothies along with berries, peaches and bananas. Turn to page 121 for a recipe.
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truant tykes
Not everyone’s excited about heading back to class. Here’s what you need to know about school refusal.
ew pencil cases, new backpacks, new friends: symptoms in an attempt to stay home – symptoms that for most young kids, back-to-school time never seem to occur on weekends, or magically clear up if seems fun and exciting. But – much to parents’ she’s allowed to stay home – then you’re probably dealing N frustration – not for all. About one in four with a case of school refusal. children – both boys and girls – may occasionally refuse to While your instinct might be to comfort your child go to school. by coddling or allowing her to stay home, you won’t be Separation anxiety and social anxiety are the most doing her any favours in the long-term. Accompanying common reasons a young child would refuse to go to her to class or volunteering in her classroom aren’t your school. Most parents have experienced a teary-eyed best moves either. All of this over-protection simply serves morning or two when a sleepy child doesn’t want to get to reinforce that school is a scary place and her fears dressed or be left behind in the classroom. But, if your of going are justified. Instead, do your best to get her to child cries or protests every school every day, without you, even if she doesn’t want to morning or regularly go – the longer she’s away from school, the harder it will makes up false be to get her interested in going back.
What can you do? On days that your child does need to stay home, either because you can’t get past the tantrum or he is genuinely not feeling well, try to ensure that home doesn’t seem like a more fun place to spend his days than school. If he imagines that days at home will always be filled with PlayStation, TV and special treats and attention from Mum, he’ll be even less inclined to want to go to class. Left unchecked, continued school refusal that results in a child missing multiple days or weeks of school can lead to falling behind academically. And, it affects the whole family, too, when everyone’s schedule needs to be adjusted to accommodate that child during his days at home. Fortunately, chronic school refusal affects fewer than two per cent of children. If yours happens to be among them, it’s probably best to talk to your paediatrician, who can help understand and treat your child’s anxieties and determine whether any specific challenges – such as an undiagnosed learning disability or a reading disorder – are contributing to their reluctance, and help get them back to class.
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1 4 toy box 1 Uncle Goose Groovie Blocks 3 Squishy Human Body Model $500 $379 5 Age 2+ years Age 8+ years These blocks – made from sustainable This hands-on kit takes kids on a guided basswood and painted with non-toxic tour of the human body, including paints – help children learn sorting, skeletal, vascular and muscular systems, ordering, opposites and pattern building. and all the squishy bits, too! Available at Tiny Footprints Available at Little Whale 5 Crayola Washable Dry 2 InnoTAB 4 SentoSphere Aquarellum Junior Erase Markers and $999 Folklord Dance Learning Cards Age 4 – 9 years $160 $40 Using this multi-media, multi-functional, Age 7+ years Age 3+ years touch-screen tablet, children can Embossed picture cards absorb paint in Wacky monsters lead your child through develop skills in reading, spelling, maths, some areas and repel it in others, helping tracing and printing letters, completing logic and creativity. little artists create intricate works of art. dot-to-dots and mazes and much more. Available at Toys“R”Us Available at Petit Bazaar Available at Toys“R”Us
Littlest learners
Biggest Word Book Ever by Richard Scarry $360 At two-feet tall, this board book is as big as a toddler and packed with countless pictures of Scarry’s classic characters, each identified by a short word or phrase. Available at Tiny Footprints
Now I'm Growing! First Day of School by Nora Gaydos $63 Story time, sing-alongs, arts and crafts, and more – the first day of school is filled with fun! Help your kids get ready for it by understanding the excitement that’s in store for them. Available at Pollux Books
Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin $153 Pete discovers the library, the lunchroom, the playground and lots of other cool places at school. And no matter where he goes, Pete never stops moving and grooving and singing his song. Available at Pollux Books Young learners bookshelf
The Energy Bus for Kids: Learning with Curious George: Brain Quest Workbook: Grade 1 A Story about Staying Positive and Kindergarten Reading by Lisa Trumbauer Overcoming Challenges By Learning Company $91 by Jon Gordon $35 Jam-packed with hundreds of activities, $136 With more than 60 activities featuring exercises and games in every subject, In this illustrated adaptation of the everyone’s favourite monkey and his including spelling, science, maths and bestselling fable, The Energy Bus, friends, this workbook provides age- more, this workbook reinforces what kids author Jon Gordon shows children how appropriate, kid-friendly content are learning in the classroom. Plus, it’s to overcome negativity, bullies and to encourage an understanding of written to help parents follow and explain everyday challenges to be their best. kindergarten reading concepts. key concepts. Available at Paddyfield Available at Booklodge Available at Booklodge
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Kids can carry their gear in style with homework these pretty and practical backpacks. haulers
Beatrix Big Kid Penny Scallan Skip Hop Zoo Pack Kaloo Diaper Bakker Made with Backpack Kinder Backpack Backpack Backpack Love Backpack $495 $253 $199 $688 $660 My backpack’s made Sometimes I’m a My backpack’s Mum really bought I hate heavy of really tough nylon bit messy, but this really strong! And it’s this for herself, but backpacks – they and has enough backpack helps shaped like a dog! it’s pink, so she hurt my back a space to hold my me out because it’s Not to mention it’s lets me carry it lot. But my new books, lunch, pencil made of PVC and super-big and fits sometimes. I can backpack doesn’t case and even polyester, which are everything Mum puts carry everything do that! It has straps Daddy’s laptop! It’s easy to clean. It’s in it for me – even for school in it and that Mum fixes until super-comfy because also really big and my water bottle! I Mummy says it’s they’re just right for of the soft pads on has tons of pockets can find everything perfect when she me and I can carry the back and straps, so I can carry my super-quick! wants to carry all all my school stuff and has a small books and trainers at the baby stuff for without it hurting. pocket inside it. the same time! my brother!
Available at Available at Available at Available at Available at Tiny Footprints Bumps to Babes Bumps to Babes Kaloo Petit Bazaar
toolbox The right gear can even make homework fun. Pick up a few of these cool tools for your kids and maybe, just maybe, they’ll get excited to get to work.
Woodland colouring pencils set, $40, Attic Lifestyle; Popstar microphone wooden ruler, $75, Attic Lifestyle; Sistema Twist ‘n’ Sip 700ml BPA-free Davina bottle, pink, $45, Bumps to Babes; Beatrix insulated lunchbox, Dulce & Panna style, $295, Tiny Footprints; Artist Series Name Labels, Sweetie Pie style, $259, Stuck on You; Seedling Alphabet Stamp Set, $229, Tiny Footprints; Chronicle Books Masha and Friends journal, $135, Tiny Footprints; Melissa & Doug Princess Crayon Set, $35, Tiny Footprints; Sigg Twittering .4L bottle, $245, Tiny Footprints; Lunch Skins, sub bag, tangerine orange style, $95, Tiny Footprints; Lunch Skins, sandwich bag, mango slice style, $85, Tiny Footprints; Coq en Pate pouch, Paleo style, $170, Petit Bazaar; Peggy Nille Color pencil case, $180, Petit Bazaar; Trixibelles filled pencil case, $280, Petit Bazaar.
40 Playtimes Vintage wooden folding ruler, $95, Attic Lifestyle; Set of 12 file folders, $95, Attic Lifestyle; Beatrix insulated lunchbox, Dieter style, $295, Tiny Footprints; Sistema Twist ‘n’ Sip 600ml BPA-free Wave bottle, blue, $55, Bumps to Babes; Super Scissors, $69, Seedling; Artist Series Name Labels, Zzzap style, $259, Stuck on You; Melissa & Doug Truck Crayon Set, $35, Tiny Footprints; Sigg Pirate .4L bottle, $245, Tiny Footprints, Lunch Skins, sandwich size, green lizard style, $85, Tiny Footprints; Little Pirate Pencil, $20 each, Petit Bazaar; Pirate eraser, $30 each, Petit Bazaar; Coq en Pate pouch, Ocean Friends and Plate Elephant styles, $170 each, Petit Bazaar; Britto Colorful Markers set, $110, Tiny Footprints; Ten-colour Spaceboy Pen, $40, Petit Bazaar; Michael Millar Cowboy Notes 15x15cm Notebook, $90, Petit Bazaar.
September 2012 41 42 Playtimes You’ve taken amazing trips, regaled your friends and family with the tales, and thought you could give Bill Bryson a run for his money. Now, consider sharing your stories with Playtimes readers in our second annual Travel-Writing Contest. Tell us your story and you might just see your work in print! Visit www.ppp.com.hk/playtimes for all the details and to read last year’s winning stories. The deadline for entering is Monday, 12 November, so get started today!
September 2012 43 harvest moon This month’s Mid-Autumn Festival presents a great opportunity for you and your kids to learn about an important Chinese celebration. he Mid-Autumn Festival – also called Moon Over the centuries, the harvest celebration and Festival, or Mooncake Festival – is one of traditional legends have intermingled, resulting in the most important Chinese festivals, dating traditions that all celebrate the moon. Each year, Chinese back 3,000 years and celebrated on the 15th families gather to admire the bright moon and eat dayT of the eighth lunar month, when the moon is at mooncakes. Hanging paper lanterns with burning candles its fullest and brightest. This year, the festival falls on inside bring a festive ambiance to the celebration. September 30th. Similar to Thanksgiving in the US or Harvest Festival in Britain, this festival celebrates the end of the harvest, and is observed in many countries outside China, including Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines. As with many Chinese festivals, the Mid-Autumn Celebrate! Festival is an opportunity for families to retell legends, and these stories are far more interesting and unusual Even if you won’t be celebrating with your than ones involving a simple harvest. While the details extended family, you can still enjoy the festival. can differ depending on the storyteller, most involve an archer named Houyi, the love of his life, Chang’e, and a 1. Try mooncakes. Multiple varieties are on offer legendary emperor. One popular version goes like this: at shops throughout Hong Kong. While the Once upon a time, around 2170 BC some say, ten burning suns traditional flavours – egg yolks and lotus seeds mysteriously appeared in the sky, scorching the earth and killing many – might not appeal to all Western palates, people. At the Emperor’s request, a skilled archer named Houyi shot down Häagen-Dazs and Starbucks offer modern, nine of the suns, saving the rest of the people. Safe for the moment, the sweeter varieties. people were worried that some day the suns might reappear. They worried that Houyi – a mortal man – might not be around to help them again. So 2. S ee the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance. Over the people begged the Emperor to grant Houyi immortality. three days, 300 performers create a spectacle The Emperor gave Houyi a magical, glowing pill that would of fire and smoke. make him immortal, but also strict instructions not to take the pill right away. Houyi followed his instructions and hid the pill at home. 3. Enjoy the lantern festival. Lantern displays will But one day when she noticed its strange glow, his wife Chang’e delight throughout the city, but the grandest discovered the pill and swallowed it. She then floated up to the moon, of all will be at Victoria Park. where she has lived ever since.
September 2012 45
Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn and you will. Vernon Howard
September 2012 47 48 Playtimes no room at the inn What happens when the schools are full and there’s no space available for your child? Elle Kwan investigates.
or any parent of a four- or Afterschool learning centres, a five-year-old child studying year or two of homeschooling and at Woodland’s Harbourside personal tutors are among the other Pre-School, the number one alternative short-term solutions some topicF of conversation at the gates is: parents feel forced to turn to. Has your child found a school place? Woodland is one institution Bottom of the list offering a temporary solution for There are a number of reasons parents whose children have not schools are over-subscribed. Local gained places within the traditional families seeking an international education system in Hong Kong. education for their children, The English-speaking kindergarten expatriate families working longer has begun offering reception classes contracts, and higher birth rates are for the growing number of children among the main contributors. And unable to enter international and none of those factors looks likely English Schools Foundation (ESF) to change. ESF’s last intake saw schools at Primary One. applications rise 15 per cent year-
I was quite principled about education when I arrived, but that soon went out the window. You find yourself doing crazy things because you are desperate.
on-year, with 2,259 applications her eldest was finally granted a place year waiting list at Kellett School. received for just 1,020 places. in a different school. Bradbury refused even a school tour Fighting for a place can be Despite feeling more than happy due to over-subscription. She was exhausting for parents. “Everyone with the education her children are offered no interview at Clearwater there is looking for a school place,” says now receiving, Charlotte wishes the Bay School. Her older daughter, then Charlotte Douglas about Woodland’s application process had been different. aged seven, was placed number 65 Harbourside Pre-School. Her child “No one said to us that we’d really on the waiting list at The French studied reception there while waiting struggle. No one told us where we’d International School. to enter Bradbury ESF. While be on the list. A year on in, we’d The family decided to separate. Charlotte praises the kindergarten staff moved one spot,” she recalls. More Grainne and the kids stayed in and programme, daily comparing of transparency could have made the Singapore and her husband moved other pupils’ places on waiting lists, process easier, she thinks. At times, to Hong Kong. “It was really hard, hearing a child has leapfrogged your she was reduced to tears. “There’s no because there seemed [to be] no end own to gain a place, or watching dignity in begging and pleading.” point. Every week, I was ringing or as child after child leaves to begin emailing [the schools]. Sometimes it primary school was draining. “It did us A high price to pay felt like it would never end.” fine, but it was stressful,” she says. A nine-month wait for a spot in a Two months in, Grainne’s husband Charlotte ended up spending school broke up Grainne O’Sullivan’s obtained a company debenture, giving 18 months on the waiting list for family. Her two girls were happily the family hope that they would soon Bradbury ESF, where her child was settled into school in Singapore when be reunited. They were placed number number 44, with 43 others ahead her husband was offered and accepted 20 on the waiting list at French of him for any spot that might open a job here. Rather than apply blindly, International, but it was another six up. Less than optimistic about her Grainne decided to try to find a months before her daughter gained child’s chances, Charlotte refocused school that fitted with her children’s entry – ensuring that her younger her efforts. It took moving to a new personalities and Grainne’s own ideals sister would eventually be granted a catchment area, making a new for education, which yielded a short space, too – and the family was able to application and, Charlotte suspects, a list of four target schools. But she reunite under the same roof. threat to talk to the local press, before was shocked to find a two- or three- Sometimes only a company
September 2012 51 debenture will do, agrees mum-of- three Kelly Allan, whose eldest son spent two years on waiting lists. She became so frustrated with the lack of places that she was considering moving with her children to Phuket and having her husband commute to Hong Kong. Kelly, who estimates she has spent about HK$40,000 on application fees, balked at the idea of shelling out for a debenture, but, in desperation, stumped up HK$1,000,000 with the intention of securing a place for her son at Australian International School. She was then told three people were ahead of her on the list. Kelly is grateful that at least the school warned her, and in the end, she decided not to buy. She says she knows other schools let parents purchase debentures knowing no spots are available. Stories like these are common, says Kelly, “We go to a school sports day and you’ll have 40 families all with worse stories. It’s diabolical,” she says. The system has forced Kelly to change her views on how her children should be schooled. “I have tiger- mummed my three-year-old so he can read and write so he can gain a place in school. My oldest was never exposed to that, nor do I believe they should be. I was quite principled about education when I arrived, but that soon went out the window. You find yourself doing crazy things because at international schools rising, she feels ISF Academy. Five years ago, no one you are desperate,” she says. that financially her options are limited. knew what that school was,” she says. She has also changed the way Many parents tend to disregard For Julie Forte, a mum and former she applies to schools and cast a schools without fancy facilities crèche manager, discovering her wider search for her second son. or a big reputation, says Ruth child was 270th on Bradbury School’s His acceptance into Hong Kong Benny, founder of Top Schools, a list was the impetus to look for other Academy, which ensures sibling school advisory service, who has options. Friends recommended the priority, has finally given Kelly some been investigating some of the new Island Christian Academy, sense of security when it comes to less well-known schools across the opening this year in Central. She feels embarking on the search for a school territory. Her website (topschools. the school will suit her child’s needs for her third son. hk) profiles schools, from famous well and, in the end, what she thought international institutions to new, was an alternative option may prove to Alternative choices small and independent schools, and be a winning one. Others just embarking on the government-run English-medium and applications journey are panicked. Ann direct subsidy school (DSS) options. Take action Lin Khoo held her twin boys back Hong Kong Academy and The It can be tempting to blanket-apply from kindergarten feeling they weren’t Harbour School are just two newer to every big name school in an effort developmentally ready. Now she has options worth a second look, Ruth to gain at least one place. This can discovered that they will only be accepted says. Parents should try to plan in the be a waste of time and money, says into classes with pupils the same age, medium- to long-term. “ESF is not the Anne Murphy at ITS Educational which, of course, are already full. only option. I wish I could shout that Services, another placement With debentures spiralling and costs from the rooftops. Think about the specialist. A better solution is to
September 2012 53
What children need most is a caring teacher who plans well. Find that, and you may just have hit gold.
spend time visiting schools, learning move faster than anticipated. “We a caring teacher who plans well. Find about their academic programmes, would never encourage people not that, and you may just have hit gold. teachers and methodology, says to apply. The application fee is still A secure environment will be Anne. Call admissions offices to ask reasonable. You can’t lose. You can harmonious for young children. Visit about the possibility of being called only gain,” says Jonathan Straker, schools when children are having for assessment before making the head of student support with ESF. lessons. Once there, look for happy application, she advises. There are more openings in secondary students, teachers interacting with Charlotte Douglas agrees that schools, says Jonathan, so it’s worth kids down at their level, and bright, contact with the school is essential, planning for this and making an eye-catching displays highlighting though not always enjoyable. Once application in good time. students’ work – all indicators that the on a waiting list, be prepared to call Applicants can also widen their school is well-managed. regularly to chat with the school’s chances of entering ESF by submitting Whichever route you choose, try admissions staff – and be forceful if to the organisation’s two privately run to stay calm, advises Julie. “Some you have to. “You have to drill down. schools, says Jonathan, referencing parents spend every waking minute Find out where you are on the waitlist ESF’s Renaissance and Discovery stressing and talking about it. You and then find out how that waitlist College schools. can’t do that.” Sometimes, she says, all works,” she says. you can do is wait. While all ESF schools are over- There is hope That wait has finally paid off subscribed, some locations are more High fees and sparkling facilities for Kelly Allan, who, this summer, in demand than others. Bradbury, do not always amount to the best learned that her eldest son has Kennedy, Clearwater Bay, King education, Julie Forte stresses. “Try to gained two school places for the George V and Glenealy Schools do the best within your budget, and coming year. That means just one are very popular, yet also see a high then don’t worry too much about it,” more decision is brewing: Which turnover of pupils, meaning lists may she says. What children need most is school to choose?
September 2012 55 stay-at-home… teacher?
56 Playtimes Homeschooling looks to be gaining popularity in Hong Kong, writes Elle Kwan.
um Pam Golafshar an English teacher. High fees put one,” she says about timetabling was overjoyed school out of reach this year and lessons, “and it’ll be the office in when she received Pam has decided to homeschool. the afternoon.” Pam, who turned to acceptances for her “We can’t afford it right now,” the internet, other homeschooling eldestM son to study at not one, but says the mother of two. families, and a book called 100 Top two private English-speaking schools Pam has considered taking more Picks for Homeschool Curriculum to in Hong Kong. With applications work, or changing roles in a bid to help select a curriculum for her son at an all-time high, Pam, like many bring in more funds. Now she knows to study this year, is excited by the Hong Kong-based parents, had spent she’ll have to make adjustments prospect of becoming an educator, long hours worrying about the future to her current work-from-home but doesn’t think homeschooling of her son’s education and agonised schedule to ensure she can make will be a long-term solution. She over the admissions process. But she time for her work, her eldest son’s hopes the family’s financial situation soon realised that the acceptances education and caring for her toddler. will have changed in a year to were only the first hurdle: the cost The flexibility that accommodate private schooling. “I of sending her son to school soon homeschooling offered made for the don’t plan on doing it beyond then, became a bigger stress for Pam, a best option. “I’ll homeschool him but if it’s my only choice, we’ll think freelance designer, and her husband, in the morning, working one-on- again,” she says.
September 2012 57
Other parents, regardless of and wanted to make the best of it. helped them meet new friends. She their income, decide that debentures Sometimes this meant travelling kept records of all the girls’ work and and monthly fees are simply too when school was still in session for the achievements. excessive and are not willing to pay. local kids. This was a huge advantage Implementing the curriculum “We were not going to pay US$25- for us.” and keeping everyone on schedule 30,000 per year for the girls to go to One of the biggest decisions didn’t prove an issue, as she says she school. The company [that employed was choosing a curriculum. After is quite routine-focused usually. She my husband] did not pay school deciding not to pursue a religion- also didn’t try to play a “teacher” tuition, so this was falling on us,” based choice – contrary to many role different from her normal role. says another homeschooling mum homeschooling families in the West “I would never put on the teacher hat who prefers not to be named. She – she then decided that, with limited and take off the mom hat. I think that homeschooled her two children, then time in Hong Kong, concentrating on they go hand in hand,” she says. aged nine and ten, in Hong Kong for cornerstone subjects would help her The undivided attention on her two years before moving back to the girls most when re-entering the US girls meant that she could answer US, where they will soon be enrolled system. After referencing books like more and specific questions that in public school. What Your Sixth Grader Needs to Know might have gone unanswered in a Convenience also played a part in and The Well-Trained Mind, she made larger classroom. “I can say that the decision to homeschool. “Another maths and language arts the focus even though there were tough times, reason that we found homeschooling and also included science, history I would not trade this time with was a fit for us is because we wanted and spelling. She supplemented their my daughters for anything. I am to travel. We knew that we were home education by enrolling them quite lucky to have had two years to only in the region for two years in classes in sports and arts, which influence my children,” she says.
September 2012 59
Home or away? Whether homeschooling is born out of desire or necessity, the legalities of it in Hong Kong remain sketchy. There is no lawful obligation for the parents of children up to six years old to enrol them in any school, but it is required by law to enrol after this age, says Ruth Benny, who runs Top Schools, a school placement advisory service. However, Ruth (and other homeschooling families) says that if a family can make a case for their child not attending formal school, then Hong Kong’s education board may show leniency and be able to make concessions. Each case, though, is highly individual. One way to get around this is by an American educational products Sangeeta says she started opening a school. Sound like a stretch? company called Accelerated instructing phonics while her younger Not to Peck Leng Chan-yeo. “I’m not Christian Education that is twins were still in highchairs “with an educator, I’m just a very passionate recommended by the school and their slushy food.” They now read mum,” she says. Two years ago, is used by private schools and a level above what’s considered Peck Leng decided to open Almitas homeschoolers across the US. usual for their age. But teaching has Academy in a commercial building in Peck Leng says many parents always been fun, says Sangeeta, who North Point. want more input into how their taught through games and around Peck Leng had homeschooled children are educated, but have the subjects that her children were her two boys until the age of six, and little opportunity or experience, naturally curious about. “It’s not like saw them flourish. Her philosophy and don’t know how to start. She we sat around a desk counting and at home centred on whole learning, has plans to hold regular workshops chanting,” she says. incorporating a sound academic base for parents on educational strategy, Supermarket trips were an ideal with a well-rounded character – beliefs which are included in the monthly start for learning about countries that she brings to her new school, fees to encourage attendance. “A of origin and even flag recognition, which will cater to children from lot of parents would like to be more says Sangeeta, who suggests parents Primary One through to Primary Five. involved in their child’s education, can use even an outing to the park Parents like Peck Leng who but they are scared,” she says. as a jumping-off point to educate. enjoy a high level of involvement “If they’ve seen a frog in the park in their children’s education, might Make learning fun you can learn about life-cycles or find themselves sold on the school, Homeschooling can be as loose habitats,” she says. which has just finished accepting or as structured as desired, thinks Those who oppose applications for Primary One. Small Sangeeta Soni, another mum who homeschooling worry that teaching classes will enable an individualised has homeschooled her three children at home stifles children’s social curriculum suited to the needs of to primary level. Her twins, she says skills. Sangeeta admits that her each child. School hours will be proudly, have never been enrolled children can be shy, but says it isn’t every afternoon from Tuesday to in kindergarten, and homeschooling fair to blame that on homeschooling Friday, leaving time each morning hasn’t held her children back. Her when, in fact, that could be their for parents to bolster learning with eldest is now enrolled and happy in an natural personalities. She also enrols a Christian-based curriculum from ESF school. her children in extracurricular
September 2012 61 activities that involve them with for many families is the Hong Kong children, who had been educated up other children. Some homeschooling International Learning Academy to Primary Two level but had been families meet to take children on (HKILA) in Discovery Bay. left without Primary Three provision. group outings. Head of the accademy Justine This we did for the entire academic Barlow explains, “At HKILA, year so students could continue Help for homeschoolers children who are currently their education whilst waiting for For parents considering homeschooled or who are not able mainstream places to open up. Those homeschooling – either through to access mainstream education students have all made a successful choice or necessity – there is a wide can come and study in a welcoming transition into mainstream schools. array of resources on the internet environment. We can advise on a If we cannot offer a place (we are to draw on. Not only is there advice number of curriculum choices from currently full), we can provide on the nuts and bolts of a child’s around the globe for full- and part- information on alternative online education, such as selecting a time tuition, so parents can choose education providers for children.” curriculum, timetabling studies and a curriculum that is right for their So whether you are considering devising effective teaching strategies, child. We organise the curriculum homeschooling because you want but there are also organisations that and monitor progress with the study more say in what your child learns aim to help with the social aspects, materials, as well as maintaining and how he learns it, or because such as forums and groups of motivation and teaching independent the cost of schooling is prohibitive, homeschoolers who meet up for days learning skills. We also offer a valuable or because you have been unable out and to glean tips from others. opportunity for students to socialise to secure a place in a school, you Tutors and study centres are also with their peers. are not alone in Hong Kong. an option for homeschooling families “Most of our enquiries come Getting a good education for your to use if children need a little more from parents who are unable to secure child is undoubtedly one of the help than parents can provide, or if school places for their children. Last biggest worries for parents. But as children would benefit from a different year, when Year Three places were our homeschooling families show, approach to their studies. One new incredibly tight, we were approached getting a good education doesn’t addition to the educational landscape by a group of parents and asked if always have to begin and end in a which has been a valuable resource we could provide tuition for their mainstream school.
September 2012 63 all together now Is mainstream school in Hong Kong an option for children with a diagnosis on the autistic spectrum? Angela Baura finds out.
64 Playtimes t the tender age of one, Sophia’s son, Yannis, development. The psychologist may recommend a specialist learned to read. He would read books for hours school that provides direct, intensive education, or a every day, mostly in silence. But there was mainstream school that offers an “inclusive programme”. no babbling, no words by 16 months, and no Beacon Hill School, Small World Christian phrasesA at 24 months. At three years, Yannis was diagnosed Kindergarten and The Harbour School all offer with autism spectrum disorder, a development disability integrated programmes for children with autism. that can cause varying levels of social, communication and While the programmes are different in their execution, behavioural challenges. the ethos is the same: to provide an inclusive school Grappling with Yannis’s diagnosis, Sophia was further community that accepts, respects and celebrates each perturbed by complaints from kindergarten teachers about child’s strengths and differences. his “emotional and behavioural problems”. “We needed to find a school for him that would support his needs rather Beacon Hill School than label him a troublemaker,” Sophia recalls. Yannis, now eight, attends Beacon Hill School in Margaret, mother of Daren, encountered the same Kowloon Tong (www.beaconhill.edu.hk), a member of challenges: “While every parent has concerns about the English Schools Foundation (ESF) and the longest- schooling for children in Hong Kong, having an autistic serving school in Hong Kong to support children with child raised added concerns that were fundamental special needs. to an academic environment, namely social skills and Having previously worked with schools for special speech development. Without the ability to communicate education needs across Australia, principal John Brewster is effectively and follow appropriate classroom behaviour, a firm believer in inclusion at all levels throughout Beacon my son would be even more challenged in comprehending Hill School. The learning support programme currently classroom lessons.” accommodates 21 students with special needs from Years When a child is diagnosed with autism, a clinical One to Six. Eighteen of these students have moderate to psychologist can suggest appropriate school programmes high-functioning autism and are therefore, with appropriate depending on the child’s strengths and areas for support, able to cope in a mainstream classroom.
September 2012 65
Children learn to appreciate each other’s differences, which will benefit them when they go out into the wider world.
In each year, there is one target classroom – a enabled Dean to interact well with typically developing mainstream classroom that caters to three or four children and follow a mainstream classroom routine. students with special needs who, with the support of a The school caters to children aged two years and special needs teacher or assistant, learn side by side with ten months to six years. Each mainstream classroom of typically developing peers. At appropriate opportunities, 23 students includes one child with special needs who is the children are discreetly taught social communication supported by a learning support assistant. skills, and are visited by a speech therapist and One mainstream classroom, however, also offers occupational therapist twice a week outside of the LEAP (Learning Experiences: an Alternative Program mainstream classroom. The school fees for all students, for pre-schoolers and parents) – a best practice inclusive irrespective of their needs, are the same. model that focuses on enhancing the skills of children Belinda McLaughlin, head of special educational with autism through interaction and play with typically needs, says: “Inclusion benefits everybody. We have developing peers. The class, which is taught by two children with autism who are now thriving in specialist teachers, is capped at 14 students and includes three areas. This gives them the chance to shine amongst children with exceptionally high-functioning autism. their peers. Our students learn compassion, tolerance Guidance is provided by Dr Caleb Knight (www. and respect for each other on a daily basis, and our childandfamilycentre.net), an educational psychologist mainstream teachers constantly learn through the who has provided services for hundreds of children on variety of children and specialist teachers.” the autism spectrum. Sophia is pleased with Yannis’s progress at Beacon Once a week, Dr Knight provides social skills Hill School. “Yannis describes school as a ‘big, happy training to all of the LEAP class students, which benefits family’,” she says. “The teachers are all very warm children with autism and typically developing peers, too. and considerate. They devise appropriate, personalised The students with autism also spend two hours a week strategies to help children with autism and communicate with a speech therapist. The fees for all of Small World’s them to parents to ensure that we are implementing students are the same. the same strategies at home. Yannis is more confident Principal Tess Baguio believes that teachers are now and has made big improvements in overcoming his instrumental in the success of an inclusive programme. difficulties, thanks to this wonderful school.” “Our teachers are very loving and accepting. Through their positive attitude, children learn to appreciate each Small World Christian Kindergarten other’s differences, which will benefit them when they Dean, aged four, joined Small World (www.swck.edu. go out into the wider world.” Expressing concerns about hk) in the Mid-Levels last year. According to his mother Hong Kong’s focus on high achievers and top grades, Charm, the school’s loving and caring environment has she adds: “These children are going to be citizens of the
September 2012 67 world. It is the role of our whole society to give every on par academically with his peers, and considered a child the opportunity to excel.” proficient reader in his class,” Margaret says, attributing his significant progress to TCI’s commitment, communication The Children’s Institute of Hong Kong Limited (TCI) in with parents and overview of every child’s development. collaboration with The Harbour School (THS) Daren, now eight, attends TCI in Kennedy Town (www. One size does not fit all tcihk.org). The school for special education needs There is significant research to demonstrate the benefits provides one-on-one applied behavioural analysis (ABA) of inclusion for typically developing children and programming for children with all levels of autism children with autism when they receive their education and integrates all of its students into THS’s (www. together in an appropriate setting. theharbourschool.edu.hk) mainstream classrooms. However, different children with autism can have According to Dr Jeremy H Greenberg, director of very different symptoms, hence the name autism TCI, students have their own personalised schedules spectrum disorder. Some children may not benefit from of activities, some of which may occur in the TCI mainstream education, and for these students, classroom, while others may occur in THS’s mainstream the Autism Partnership School (www.apschool.edu.hk) classrooms. An ABA teacher accompanies and supports was established in 2007. Lisa, mother of nine-year-old Tim, the student – one-to-one – wherever they go. Initially, it explains that her son has developed social, behavioural, may be appropriate for TCI students to partake only in self-help and relationship skills at the school, which non-academic subjects; however, over time, they may be caters to students with all levels of autism from the able to access all of the subjects in THS’s curriculum. ages of five to 18. Children are taught individualised Dr Greenberg says, “When this occurs, the TCI teacher curricula in class sizes of four to eight, with a one-to-two systematically fades out of the picture, all the while or one-to-one teacher to student ratio. The academic making careful observations of the student in the THS curriculum follows the local mainstream national class to ensure continued success.” curriculum. When Daren started partial mainstream integration Choosing the right school for a child with autism is into THS, he was still socially awkward, mum Margaret a major concern for parents; however, as all four of these recalls. TCI created a tailored programme to support mothers attest, it is entirely possible to source excellent Daren’s social development, integration and classroom educational opportunities in Hong Kong that are compliance. Within two months, Daren was following more professionally supported and that maximise each child’s social norms. “Daren is thriving in school. He is currently individual potential.
September 2012 69 70 Playtimes thinkabout it Learning is about more than repeating facts and figures. Eleanor Smallwood and Olivia Hungerford explain the value of critical thinking skills, even for the youngest kids.
e’ve bought into the new experiences and become rational “ idea that education and reasonable human beings. It is is about training a skill that benefits businesses and and ‘success’ defined communities locally, nationally and Wmonetarily, rather than learning to globally, by creating informed and think critically and to challenge. responsible members of society; it’s We should not forget that the true what sets us apart as humans. But purpose of education is to make have our children been missing out on minds, not careers.” this crucial skill? So says Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Chris Hedges, Lifelong learning and his concern is one that will To try to address the criticism, in resonate with many Hong Kong 2009, the Hong Kong government parents. The education system here introduced “liberal studies” as has for many years been criticised part of its core secondary school for giving priority to content at the curriculum. The Hong Kong expense of teaching children how to education department stated that the learn and developing their critical new subject would provide a “useful faculties. The concern is that Hong foundation for further studies, future Kong children can apply technical employment and a life of fulfilment”. knowledge faultlessly but are unable Kenneth Chen, Hong Kong Under to think for themselves or form an Secretary for Education, said in an opinion – vital life skills for any age. interview that, “Obviously, you need The ability to think critically content and subject knowledge … but enables us to make self-assessments, more importantly, we feel that kids balance contradictory viewpoints, need to have that attitude that they form reasoned judgments, learn from need to learn continuously.” The plan
September 2012 71 is to encourage the next generation of their environment. Only then will a number of suggestions for activities Hongkongers to have enquiring minds students be able to cultivate and to do at home with your children and breadth in their education, to see hone these skills as they get older so from pre-school age up until the learning as something that takes place that thinking and analysing become end of primary school to help lay a everywhere, not just in the classroom second nature. foundation for learning how to learn. and not just for the purpose of getting At our centre, we see a number a good, well-paid job at the end. of our primary age students lacking Little learners It has, however, been a the ability to judge what they see or At pre-school age, children are at their controversial addition to the read. Many of our students are great most inquisitive and this should be syllabus with many teachers and technical readers but, on finishing the encouraged in every way. Let them students worried that it is too vague story, will have no comprehension of explore through all of their senses – and unquantifiable an exam to be what they have read. When asked, touch, taste, sound, smell and sight marked. Tutorial centres have seen “Do you like this character?” many – and encourage them to talk about a boom in the number of students will look blank and respond: “What is what they are doing and how it makes coming to them for the “answers” to the right answer?” Working with these them feel. Do they like the taste? If the papers – which defeats the very children over time, we are able to tap not, why not? What does that rug feel purpose of the curriculum! into their natural curiosity about life like? Have they ever felt anything Perhaps the problem is that and encourage them to think, question similar? Does that smell good? Does it adding a brand new subject for the and argue in order to understand. remind them of anything? Take your last three years of a student’s schooling Children should not see teachers pre-schooler for a walk, pick up leaves is bound to be confusing for the and tutors as purely didactic figures and talk about them. Then take them majority of learners who have never whose role is to tell them the right home and draw them. Ask them to been faced with this approach to answer. The best teachers are those describe what they’ve drawn and how thinking and schoolwork before. The who are able to draw ideas out from it makes them feel. Ask them why they development of critical faculties should the student’s own mind, to guide and think trees have leaves. happen throughout life, starting at instruct rather than to tell. But how Read to your child every night a young age, by teaching children can we encourage our children to and talk to them about the story as how to understand themselves, their think freely and develop questioning you are reading. Do they like the relationships with other people and minds from a young age? Below are characters? What do they think will
The best teachers are those who are able to draw ideas out from the student’s own mind, to guide and instruct rather than to tell.
September 2012 73 happen next? At all stages, encourage Ages six to eight years of news in a different way? Read about them to think and articulate their At this age, try to encourage a breadth and discuss other cultures, perhaps thoughts as best they can. of learning. Introduce reading in choosing books about children their many different forms to look at how own age who live in different countries Ages four to six years language can be used for varying or from different periods of history. At this age, children should start purposes: fiction, factual books, How can they relate to them and what to have more ownership over their articles, plays and poetry. Discuss sets them apart? Perhaps they might learning process. Encourage them the topics that these pieces bring up like to write to a foreign pen pal to to keep a daily journal to log their and ask children for their opinions discuss these issues. feelings and experiences. This and reactions to what they are can start as simply as a picture reading. Extend this to other areas Secondary students encapsulating part of their day, and of their lives, too – discuss plays or As your children move into secondary build up to include words over time. performances that they have seen. education, they should begin looking They should choose books that Perhaps they could write a book or at history, science, literature and they like to read, both independently film review that not only summarises geography with a more critical eye. and with you. Read the same books the plot but also explores their At all stages of their education, over again and discuss different themes emotional reaction to it. They might encourage opinions, discussion and each time: How do they think the even discuss these with friends to see debate. In essays, as in life, there is character feels? Why? How would how their responses differ. usually no such thing as being right they feel in this situation? Discuss with or wrong, but rather being effective or them moral choices both in literature Ages eight to 11 not in making your argument. and in their own lives. Why is sharing Read newspapers or watch the news important? How could they resolve with your children and discuss issues arguments they may be having with raised both locally and globally. What Olivia Hungerford and Eleanor Smallwood friends? This is also a good age to are the contrasts and comparisons are the managing directors of British Tutors introduce a children’s newspaper to between Hong Kong and other Ltd, a company which brings the highest broaden their reading to new and countries? What makes Hong Kong standard of academic, one-on-one tuition to diverse topics, to expand their horizons different? Might people from a homes in Hong Kong. For more information, and to encourage inquisitiveness. different country view the same piece see www.britishtutors.com.
September 2012 75 76 Playtimes degrees of success “We can get your kids into the Ivy League,” promise the growing number of education consultants. Aileen Lai finds out more.
y daughter is a strong prestigious colleges and universities. Gloria paints a clearer picture: student and she’s Most are parents of local students “We start with assessing and interested in Harvard exploring overseas boarding school refining the student’s academic and or Stanford. Can options or those aiming for selected extracurricular choices, capitalising youM help her?” This is one of the top colleges and universities, and on their strengths and interests, then most common requests that Gloria they’re counting on these “admissions develop an appropriate list of schools Choy gets as director of Dunbar experts” to map out the academic based on that, help to plan for standard Education Consultants. It’s parents course that will ensure success. tests, interviews and campus visits, then with high expectations like this guide them through the application and an eagerness for “branded A complex path process through to completion.” schools” that has spurred the trend of In case you’re not up on the trend, the Parents who find the process education consultancies sprouting up role of an “education consultant” is to of navigating and planning their throughout Hong Kong. listen to the student client, find out and children’s education confusing, While the interest in overseas understand his or her capabilities and complex and stressful count on experts education is hardly a new concept strengths, share the range of options like Jennifer Ma and Jennifer Yu, both here, it does seem as if more parents available in different countries with founders of Arch Academy, who have are engaging the services of education both the student and the family, while Ivy League/Oxbridge credentials consultants to increase the chances setting and managing reasonable and themselves. To these parents, the of their children securing spots in realistic expectations. pair’s familiarity with the education
September 2012 77
The biggest challenge is convincing parents and students of the importance of good intellectual and social fits.
systems and requirements bolsters that can conflict with the pursuit of a importance of good intellectual their confidence. The education brand name.” and social fits. Also, we stress consultants’ involvement with Managing parents’ expectations the importance of following the boarding schools and universities against the capabilities and wishes of student’s interests, which, based as scholarship trustees and alumni the student can be a fine balancing on our experience, always leads interviewers (volunteer alumni of act. A common, but difficult, them towards a profession that’s particular colleges who interview challenge facing the consultants acceptable to both the student and applicants and report back to the is parents who say they want their their family.” college) adds to their appeal. child to be happy but, in reality, Communication is another Both Jennifers believe they focus in only on a school’s ranking indispensable part of the process, can help “bridge the education and reputation. especially at the beginning of the gap” through their advice on skills “Some parents are not willing relationship. “Parents may be the upgrade, development of personal to accept reality,” says Irene Tam, main decision-makers when it and fundamental aptitudes, and director of Canada-China Culture comes to studying abroad, but on practical support and guidance. and Education Association. While it many occasions, we need to educate “We offer experience, hands-on might be a top concern for the child the parents on the importance counselling and the network.” to get into a top-tier, brand name of communication within the school, it’s important to consider if family,” shares Mandy Lam, senior What’s the best fit? this is really the best option for the admissions officer of EF Education While education consultancies may student. Does it match his interests? First. It should be a mutual decision have varying expertise and areas of Will he be able to fit in or catch that has been amicably discussed, specialisations, they all say that the up? Is this the best place for him to thought over and agreed upon. goal is finding the “right” school for grow and develop his strengths and their clients, whose needs vary. interests? These are definitely some Keep talking “Going by the university’s prestige questions worth asking. Sometimes, education consultants or ranking would be easy,” says Frank Gloria from Dunbar Education act as mediators between the Chan, a consultant at Apex Education Consultants adds, “The biggest children and parents, especially Center. “But we focus on finding the challenge we face is convincing when there are conflicts or right match for each individual. Often, parents and students of the differences of opinion.
September 2012 79
Gloria remembers a case where a That extra nudge student and mother had a particularly It takes more than a good education consultant to kick start your student’s troubled relationship. Although she journey to success. These tips can help. was a talented and bright student, the daughter’s performance at school 1. Put your child’s interests first. Remember that there might be a suffered as she rebelled. Eventually, difference between what you think is good for them and what really is she was asked to leave the school good for them. Have an open mind, listen, and try not to control every because of substance abuse. decision. By showing respect and being supportive, you’re actually “She was referred to us and we letting your child grow. managed to convince her to attend 2. Give yourselves time. Education consultants can serve as advisers a boarding school overseas. We and guides, but they can’t guarantee entrance to the school of your continued to guide her throughout her dreams. Plan in advance and allow ample time for preparations and high school years and she prospered processes. Applications can take as long as four to five months. into a serious student who eventually 3. Do your homework. It’s good to have professional advice, but it never entered one of the top universities in hurts to be more informed or prepared. Encourage your child to start the US. At the time of her graduation, thinking about his own skills, preferences and goals. Visit universities her relationship with her mum had abroad, and attend open houses, talks and forums. improved dramatically and she’s now a successful banker!” your best route rather than working with number of choices that they offer to Look before you leap a consultant, says Ann White, founder of students and their parents. While education consultants might Clear View College Consulting. Undoubtedly, we all want our help to increase the chances of your “I think students can find suitable kids to bear the school crest of a child getting his name onto the schools and complete applications on reputable institution. But, at the end register books and possibly help to their own if they do enough research of the day, there’s only so much that resolve family conflicts, there is no and start thinking through what you can do as a parent. The child guarantee of success. While there is they want from an institution. They himself plays the more important role evidence supporting the popularity will then realise that there is much in determining whether his education of such centres and successful case more to achieving the ‘best fit’ than a – local or overseas – turns out to be a studies to go by, success typically brand name.” successful experience. boils down to having a shared vision For parents looking to jump “We navigate, but they are within the family, setting realistic on the bandwagon of engaging the drivers,” says Frank from Apex expectations and sheer hard work education consultants, Ann cautions, Education Center. “If they refuse to from the student. “Ask if the education consultants drive, we will not get anywhere. Our job In many instances, some research also serve as paid agents of overseas is to guide them and to bring them back and careful planning on your own is institutions. This can limit the on track whenever they veer off.”
September 2012 81 82 Playtimes screenWith technology playing an ever-increasing role in test21st-century life, what does this mean for our children? asks child psychologist John Shanahan.
ur kids and teenagers are In his newly released book How to spending more and more Thrive in the Digital Age, author and tech of their days in front of commentator Tom Chatfield cites six screens: TVs, computers, underlying reasons that video games OiPads, smartphones, video games. capture the attention of our youth: While we struggle to keep up with constant progress reports; rewards for them technologically, we also struggle effort; long- and short-term objectives; to figure out whether all of this screen rapid, frequent, clear feedback; an time is even good for them. element of uncertainty; and other According to a recent study in people. Let’s look at each reason and Britain, 97 per cent of 11- to 16-year- how it might be incorporated into the olds own a mobile phone – that’s mainstream classroom. eight per cent more than adults! Most youngsters spend more than two Constant progress reports hours in front of the television every Video games measure progress day, and more than two million kids continually, and as users play, they’re under 13 years old use Facebook, able to watch that progress and see despite Facebook’s policy of requiring successes accumulate. Once a player users to be at least 14. While we has amassed a certain amount, don’t know how many users are kids, they are upgraded to the next recent reports show that more than level. Imagine if we translated this 70 million people worldwide are concept into measuring homework playing Farmville – the online farming progress: we could continuously track simulation game – every day! and record a student’s actions and achievements – the time spent working So, what’s the hook? on maths problems in school and at To understand what entices our home, and the number of problems children to continually choose video solved successfully, for example – and games rather than the outdoor then upgrade them to the next level – activities or sports we remember of work, of complexity, of completion. playing as kids, it helps to know The sense of achievement would more about the structure of those propel them. games. And that’s just what many educators are investigating: Could we Rewards for effort incorporate the methods and strategies Games continuously reward their users used in these games to help motivate for every bit of effort: pick a lock and our kids to learn in school? your thieving skills progress; talk to
September 2012 83 another character and your charisma Cast a spell, and you learn that your increases our engagement. In the increases; turn on the game and you magic ability has improved five per classroom, we might try it this way: receive a small prize or reward. There cent. Shoot someone in the head, and a six-year-old who is reluctant to is already ample research that shows you are told immediately that this was complete his homework is given a children will try harder and persist for a “head shot”. Make an evil decision, set of six boxes and offered one a longer if their efforts – not just their and learn instantly that your karma day to open upon completion of his ultimate successes – are rewarded. So, points have shifted towards the dark homework. He knows that some boxes instead of rewarding just a great grade side. Game makers do this because it contain good toys and some contain at school, a parent could praise the is difficult to link consequences with pretty terrible toys. It’s virtually effort the student put into the revision actions without clear feedback. In the guaranteed that he will continue to and preparation. classroom, if we can provide frequent, engage in his homework because he clear feedback about learning a new knows that eventually he’ll hit the Long- and short-term objectives skill, and link it back so that the mother lode. Games often have both long-term student can see the value of acquiring goals – such as defeating the level the new skill, then we may see them Other people boss – and short-term goals – such as more motivated to continue learning. The popular games are much more gathering magic items along the way. At home, we can also provide clear, fun and engaging when played This method of rewarding is one of frequent feedback on our children’s online than when your child plays the greatest enticements to persevere progress: your child sat at his desk to on a computer alone. Watching with a game: users experience a sense start homework? Great. Completed others, having others watch us, and of achievement when they reach each the first five questions correctly? Good interacting with others along the way individual goal, which motivates job, your maths skills have improved is a powerful motivator. Similarly in them to continue. This model works by x per cent. Completed their entire the classroom, children who dislike in the classroom, too: the long-term homework assignment? Nice! maths often suddenly love it when aims are the term or final grades, World Maths Day comes around and short-term goals might include An element of uncertainty when they get to play maths games attendance in a certain number of This, the author calls a “neurological with others around the world. They classes, or answering a certain number goldmine”. A certain reward become engaged in maths not because of questions correctly. excites people, but an unknown the maths itself has become any more reward, pitched correctly, can be interesting to them, but because there Rapid, frequent, clear feedback even more exciting to our brains. are other people involved. Having Games provide frequent, clear Consider gambling, and the way that children complete homework in a feedback throughout the experience. controlled randomness of success group, or work together to complete
September 2012 85 a project, or anything that involves a social component might stimulate that motivational and competitive social drive. In addition to these hooks, when used effectively, technology itself – educational apps or games that are interactive and fun to play – can help capture students’ attention, which puts them in a better frame of mind to learn. Learning about the Arctic and Antarctic is so much more fun when watching and listening to David Attenborough than listening to a lecture on it. Seeing and mapping the stars can be way cooler looking through an iPad than reading about it in a static book. Teachers using their interactive white boards effectively can create much more interesting and interactive learning experiences than those who use a traditional blackboard.
How much is too much? Like everything, technology and its usage is best served in moderation. Research shows that primary school aged children with a TV in their room tend to perform worse on tests than those who do not have one. While the findings aren’t lives, too: TV that’s playing in Six- to 12-year-olds who spend more conclusive, and more research needs the background does draw your than two hours a day in front of a to be conducted, everything we child’s attention. Having TVs and screen have more trouble paying know so far does suggest that more computers in your kids’ bedrooms attention in school and are more than two hours per day of screen makes it nearly impossible to likely to resist going to bed. And time can have a negative effect on a monitor their activity, and provides increases in TV time have been child’s well-being. too much temptation and distraction linked to increases in waistlines. Implementing a screen time at bedtime. There is also growing research budget for your kids might be a useful And don’t forget to set a good to suggest that children’s mental strategy for keeping their hours in example yourself: parents who check health problems increase with screen check. Agreeing upon a suitable their emails three times during time. In 2010, a study found that budget is tricky, as there are so many dinnertime are modelling bad screen those children who spent more than factors to take into account, such as time behaviour, so it’s only natural two hours per day watching TV or your child’s age, amount of screen that children want to do the same. playing computer games were about time needed to complete homework, Technology can be a huge help 60 per cent more likely to develop etc. But, for younger kids, striving to to learning and our daily lives, significant psychological difficulties. stay under two hours per day might be and, as we’ve examined, can even These effects were evident regardless a good starting point. enhance our kids’ learning. But, of sex, age, stage of puberty, or level As your child gets older, the there are disadvantages, too. As of education. These difficulties were budget will need to be updated. with most things, the real trick as a further exacerbated in children who They might be using computers parent is to find the right balance for did not engage in more than one throughout the day at school and your family. hour of moderate to rigorous exercise. will likely need the internet to Interestingly, engaging in more complete their homework. Each physical activity did not compensate family will need to figure out what John Shanahan is a child and for the psychological consequences makes the most sense based on their developmental psychologist and practices of screen time. So it is not effective to own needs and circumstances. at Central Health Medical Practice, try to mitigate too much screen time Beware of sneaky ways screens Southside Family Health Centre, and simply by upping physical activity. find their way into your kids’ Island Health Family Practice.
September 2012 87 bugsback to school Kids and teachers aren’t the only ones heading back into the classroom. Dr Mishi Khanna, BDS, tells you what you need to know about common bugs your kids are likely to encounter.
his season marks the time of year that kids are be spread quickly. Symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting, most likely to pick up an infectious illness from high temperature and stomach pains. Although stomach school. From the common cold to conjunctivitis, bugs are generally not serious, affected children can often here’s the lowdown on the most common school become dehydrated, so they should be given plenty of fluids. Tillnesses, and how to keep your kids healthy. Viral stomach bugs spread between classmates via hand-to-mouth transmission. Teaching and Common cold encouraging your kids to wash their hands regularly, The common cold is undoubtedly one of the most especially after using the toilet, is essential to minimise widespread and contagious of infections, simply due to the spread of infection. the manner in which it spreads. All it takes is for a child Children should be kept away from school and other to sneeze or cough, and tiny little respiratory droplets go children while they have symptoms and for at least 48 airborne, and everyone is susceptible. hours after the final episode of diarrhoea or vomiting. Colds are viruses that affect the nose, throat and Generally a visit to the GP is not required, but if the child sinuses. Common symptoms include a temperature, nasal becomes floppy or groggy they may be dehydrated and congestion or pain, sneezing, coughing, a hoarse voice and need to see a medical professional. a runny nose. Colds tend to last longer in the under-fives, with their symptoms typically lasting from ten to 14 days. Chickenpox Along with frequent hand-washing, taking a reusable Chickenpox is caused by a virus called varicella-zoster and water bottle to school instead of using the water fountain is spread quickly and easily through coughs and sneezes. can reduce kids’ risk for colds and other infections, since It is most common in children under the age of ten and is the parts of the fountain that students touch can become usually caught in winter or spring. contaminated with germs. Make sure to wash the water The virus causes a rash of red, itchy spots that turn bottle thoroughly every day. If your kids do catch a cold, into fluid-filled blisters, which then develop into scabs that teach them to sneeze or cough into a tissue (or the inside of eventually drop off. Scratching should be discouraged to their elbow, if they don’t have a tissue) instead of their hands, minimise potential scarring. Applying calamine lotion so they don’t spread the virus to everything they touch. will help soothe discomfort and minimise itchiness, while paracetamol will help ease the associated viral symptoms Stomach bug such as fever and malaise. Children are infectious from a Viral stomach bugs are highly common in children and can few days prior to the onset of the rash and for five days after
88 Playtimes the first blistered spots appear. Keep your affected kids Strep throat home and away from other kids during this time. This bacterial infection of the throat is most common in kids aged five to 15 and can sometimes have serious Molluscum contagiosum complications, including rheumatic fever, which can Although this skin rash is common in kids aged one to ten, damage heart valves. Caused by group A streptococcal many parents have never heard of it. Triggered by a viral bacteria, strep throat strikes in crowded environments infection, it causes pink, white or flesh-coloured bumps. As such as schools. Although it can occur any time, late the name suggests, molluscum contagiosum is contagious, autumn and early spring are the peak seasons. mainly through skin-to-skin contact or contact with Good hand hygiene and avoiding sharing food, contaminated objects, such as clothing or toys. beverages, eating utensils or toothbrushes are the Good hand hygiene and avoiding sharing personal best ways to avoid strep throat. If your child catches items, including clothing, towels and hairbrushes, are the it, sanitise his or her eating utensils in very hot best ways to avoid this skin infection, which typically clears soapy water or the dishwasher. Get your child a new up without treatment in six to 12 months. toothbrush once he or she is no longer contagious. Otherwise, the bacteria can survive in the toothbrush Bacterial conjunctivitis and cause re-infection. This is an eye infection, also known as pink-eye, which causes eyes to become red and sticky. The infection is Head lice present in the conjunctiva – the thin lining covering the Head lice are small brown or grey insects that live in the white part of the eyeball – and the inside of the eyelids. hair and suck blood from the scalp. Head lice cannot jump, It can easily spread from one eye to another and causes fly or swim, but are transferred by head-to-head contact as irritation, discharge and red eyes. It is much more common they climb from the hair of an infected person to the hair in kids than in adults, and can also be caused by allergies. of someone else. They are most common in children aged Teach kids not to share tissues, towels, washcloths, four to 11 years old. eye make-up (if they’ve reached that age or enjoy playing To avoid catching it, discourage kids from sharing dress-up with it) or eye drops with other people. If your hairbrushes, combs, hair ornaments, scarves, ribbons, hats child has allergies, then dust and vacuum often to reduce and other headwear. Avoiding head-to-head contact during allergens in your home and close your windows when the play can also curb the spread of lice. Turn to page 90 to pollen count is high. learn more about head lice and how to treat it.
September 2012 89 90 Playtimes If you catch your children clawing at their heads, there’s a good chance that they might have head lice. Dr Carmen Tam provides tips on how to recognise lice and keep them at bay.
What are head lice? items such as hats, scarves, combs, brushes, coats, sports Also called pediculosis, head lice are parasitic wingless uniforms, towels or hair ribbons, particularly if the school has insects. Having them is not a serious health concern; it’s announced that cases of head lice have been found. more of a discomfort. Head lice can also survive in most soft furnishings Head lice are an extremely common problem, including beds, sofas, pillows, carpets and stuffed animals. especially in children aged three to 12 years. They like to live amongst human hair, and it’s a myth that they are What do head lice look like? attracted to dirty hair. They are found in hair that is clean There are three forms of lice: the egg (also called a nit), and dirty, long and short, in hair of all types, condition, the nymph, and the adult. and length. “Nits” is the name given to head lice eggs. They are very small, about the size of a knot in thread, and are oval How will you know if your child has head lice? and usually yellow to white. They can often be confused for The most common clue is that your child starts scratching dandruff or hairspray droplets. They can attach themselves or rubbing their head, an indication that they feel tickling firmly to the hair shaft and take about a week to hatch. or the sensation of something moving in their hair. Some Eggs that are likely to hatch are usually found within a children can also feel itching caused by an allergic reaction quarter-inch of the scalp. to the bites and may develop sores caused by scratching. The nit hatches into a baby louse called a nymph. It looks like an adult head louse, but is smaller. Nymphs How might my child get head lice? mature into adults about seven days after hatching. To live, The most common way for a child to get head lice is to be the nymph must feed on small amounts of blood. in direct contact with another child who already has them. The adult louse is about the size of a sesame seed, has This can easily happen when kids are playing sports or are on six legs, and is tan to greyish-white. In people with dark the playground. It’s worth reminding your child not to share hair, the adult louse will look darker. Females, which are
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To live, adult lice need to feed on blood and can live up to 30 days on a person’s head. usually larger than males, lay eggs. To live, adult lice need to feed on blood and can live up to 30 days on a person’s head. If the louse falls off a person, it dies within two days.
Where are lice found? They are most commonly found on the scalp, behind the ears and on the back of the neck. They are rarely found on • If you have eyelashes, eyebrows or other parts of the body. more than one child, check them How are head lice diagnosed? regularly, too. You will be able to see nits, nymphs or adults by looking • Wash bed linens and through the hair and scalp. However, both nymphs and hats in hot water and adults can be more difficult to find as they are usually small detergent. in numbers and quickly move away from searching fingers. If you are unsure whether or not your child has lice, do There are some not self-medicate; your doctor should make the diagnosis promising alternative non-toxic before going ahead with treatment. treatments, but at the moment, most are untested. Such treatments include applying Vaseline, Treatment mayonnaise or a thick conditioner, which have been said to • For children older than two years, thoroughly wash “smother” the lice and temporarily immobilise them. the hair with a medicated shampoo or lotion that If you decide to try these, I suggest starting with contains permethrin. It’s important that you follow the conditioner, since Vaseline does not wash out of hair easily. instructions accurately because these products are made In fact, it can take a week or so of shampooing to get it all up of insecticides. out. Liberally cover their head with conditioner and put • For children two years or younger, do not use a shower cap on overnight (or for an eight-hour period). medicated lice treatments – instead, remove the nits After that time, shampoo and rinse. Then, importantly, and lice with a comb. continue to comb carefully through their hair to remove • You will need a special nit comb to remove nits and the nits and lice. lice from the hair. Wetting the hair before combing Happy hunting! temporarily immobilises the lice, making it easier to identify where they are. Using a conditioner will also make it easier to get the comb through the hair. • Every two to three days, wet, examine and comb the hair Dr Carmen Tam is a specialist in paediatrics and works at Central to ensure that all lice and nits have gone. Continue to Health Medical Practice, Southside Family Health Centre and check for the next two to three weeks. Island Health Family Practice.
September 2012 93 Learn the stories behind Hong Kong’s A streets and neighbourhoods. Aberdeen The fishing port of Aberdeen was given its English name in 1845 in honour of Lord Aberdeen, who was Hong Kong the British Foreign Secretary when the British took possession of Hong Kong in 1841. The area was used for the manufacturing of incense sticks and subsequently became known as Heung Gong (“Fragrant Harbour”) because of the scent of sandalwood. Gradually the name came to refer to the whole island. ABCs Admiralty From 1878 until the 1970s, this area was known as “Admiralty Dock”, because it was home to the British naval yard. The dock was later destroyed when the land was reclaimed and developed as the HMS Tamar naval base. The Cantonese name for Admiralty, Jin Chung, which translates to “Golden Bell”, refers to a golden bell once housed at the docks. B Big Wave Bay Known as Tai Long Wan in Cantonese, this bay is noted for having the largest waves on Hong Kong Island. The C area is also home to a collection of ancient rock carvings Central – the first to be declared a monument by the Hong Kong When the British took possession of Hong Government. First discovered in 1970 by a police officer, Kong in 1841, the initial fleet of settlers landed the carvings have geometric patterns with hints of human at Possession Point in Sheung Wan. The British or animal images. It is unknown who was responsible for officials soon decided to build a city on the these carvings, but their state of weathering indicates their north coast. The present-day Central was long history. chosen to house major military facilities and * Top Tip: There is more than one Tai Long Wan in Hong Kong so act as an administrative centre. Central soon always check to make sure you are going to the right one. attracted both Westerners and Chinese for trading and residential purposes. In official Bowen Road documents, Central, or Chung Wan (Middle The road was named after the ninth governor of Hong Circuit), is still referred to by its early Kong, George Ferguson Bowen. Bowen Road was known designation as the City of Victoria. colloquially as “Third Road” because it was the third east-west road from the shore. The famous “Lovers Rock” Causeway Bay is located along Bowen Road, and is said to give those who This area has changed names many times, worship it the gift of a happy marriage. from Wong Nai Chung to Bowrington and, until the 1930s, Causeway Bay was known Boundary Street as East Point. Before urban development Boundary Street, located near Kowloon Tong, was originally and massive land reclamation, Causeway a line of bamboo trees used to mark the boundary between the Bay was a heavily silted bay. Its former southern part of Kowloon (ceded by Qing China to the United shape can be found on old maps of Hong Kingdom in 1860) and the northern part of Kowloon. The Kong by tracing Tung Lo Wan Road, northern part of Kowloon remained part of China until it was which ran along the former waters- leased as the New Territories to the United Kingdom in 1898 edge. In the early stages of the bay’s for 99 years. Although the street is the historical boundary, the development a causeway was built, hence actual road did not come into existence until 1934. the name Causeway Bay.
94 Playtimes D Discovery Bay E Discovery Bay – also affectionately referred to by Elgin Street locals as Disco Bay or DB – was originally conceived Elgin Street is located in Central by Hong Kong Resort Company Limited as a public and is named after James Bruce, the holiday resort. The plan was later transformed into a 8th Earl of Elgin. One of the earliest residential development. designated streets in Hong Kong, the road was also known as “Mud Diamond Hill Street” by locals, as the rain and the Contrary to its name, the area has never been home to street’s steep slope made it a muddy a diamond mine. There are a number of popular myths thoroughfare. as to the name’s origin, but the most commonly accepted derivation is that it is a mistranslation of the Cantonese name Jin Shek Shan, as in “to mine or quarry”, and not as an adjective describing the type of gemstone. F Fanling D’Aguilar Peninsula The name Fanling is a shortened D’Aguilar Peninsula was named after George Charles form of the Cantonese name Fan D’Aguilar, a British Army Major-General and Pik Leng, which means “pink Lieutenant Governor of Hong Kong. This area is home mountain”. For hundreds of years, to the Cape D’Aguilar Lighthouse, which was declared a the villagers here have worshipped a historic monument by the Hong Kong Government. It is nearby pink rock, which is thought the oldest lighthouse in Hong Kong. to bring good fortune to the village.
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G H Gutzlaff Street Hong Kong Wai This street was named after the 19th-century Christian missionary Karl This is one of Hong Kong Island’s Gutzlaff. During his lifetime, Gutzlaff was one of the few Westerners oldest remaining villages. Before living in Hong Kong who spoke Chinese. To raise money for the printing Hong Kong was established as of Christian Bibles, Gutzlaff reluctantly worked as a translator for opium a British colony, the area was a traders. Gutzlaff went on to work for the Hong Kong Government as the minor riverside port from where Secretary in Charge of Chinese Affairs. fragrant wood was exported. Hong Kong Wai still has a number of old Government Hill buildings, some of which are over There’s no surprise about the origin of this name. Since the establishment 100 years old. of British rule, the area has housed Hong Kong’s administrative headquarters, including Government House. Happy Valley The name originated in the early years Glenealy of British rule as a morbid reference Glenealy is one of the few roads in Hong Kong without a suffix. It was to the number of deaths in the area formerly known as Elliot’s Vale after Charles Elliot, the first British caused by malaria, as well as the administrator of Hong Kong. The road led to a house named Glenealy, subsequent proliferation of cemeteries. which is now the site of a Roman Catholic Church, and so the road became known as Glenealy. I Ice House Street This street was originally the site of a large 19th-century ice depot that stood at the junction with Queen’s Road Central. The depot was owned by the Hong Kong Ice company. The trade in ice continued here until 1874 when the company built an ice manufacturing plant in Causeway Bay.
I Shing Temple I Shing Temple is situated at the multi-clan village of Wang Chau in Yuen Long. The temple was constructed by the villagers around the 57th year of Kangxi (1718) to promote communal spirit. It was dedicated to the worship of the two deities, Hung Shing and Che Kung. The building uses a two-hall structure with an open courtyard in between. Although it underwent renovations in the 1970s and 1980s, most of its original features were kept intact. The temple was declared a monument in 1996. J Jordan Jordan is not an official district of Hong Kong. The MTR station and connecting road, which bear the name, are thought to be named after a civil servant in the colonial government at the time of construction. The area is also known officially as Kwung Chung.
Jardine’s Lookout This area is named after Dr William Jardine, one of the two founders of Jardine Matheson Group, a company which pre-dates British occupancy in Hong Kong. Jardine started out as a ship’s surgeon who then became involved in the opium trading business in China.
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K L Kennedy Town Lam Tin Kennedy Town was named after Sir Arthur Kennedy, Governor of Hong The area of Lam Tin was once known Kong from 1872 to 1877. The area was developed during his time in office as a as Ham Tin Shan. It was settled in suburban housing solution for the rapidly expanding population. the ninth century BC by the Nan Yue people. Ham Tin Shan, which Kowloon City means “salty field hill”, was part of The name Kowloon is the English pronunciation of “nine dragons” in Cantonese. The the Kowloon Bay salt-fields. The name “Nine Dragons” represents the eight mountain peaks on Kowloon that can be British acquired the western half of seen from Hong Kong island, plus the emperor – the ninth dragon. This particular the salt-fields in 1860 and the eastern district contains part of what used to be the infamous Kowloon Walled City, now half in 1898. Under British rule the known as Walled City Park. Kowloon Walled City was China’s tiny enclave in the salt-fields were destroyed to build Kai middle of British Hong Kong, which stood for decades and remained under Chinese Tak Airport. The area was renamed control, until it was torn down in 1993. It was used as a makeshift spy centre to check Lam Tin, meaning “produced from on British influence in the area. For many years the area surrounding it remained the blue fields in jade”, to reflect the largely undeveloped, used by the British mainly for tiger-hunting expeditions. change in land usage.
Kwun Tong Located in the eastern part of the Kowloon Peninsula, this area was formerly called Koon Tong. Some say it was named after the Koon Fu salt yards, set up by the government to secure central administration of the salt trade and prevent unauthorised salt trading. Despite the government’s close watch, an illegal salt trade was still active on Lantau Island. When the officials found out, a full-scale crackdown was initiated. The Lantau villagers instigated an all-out uprising of salt farmers, leading finally to a major civil riot. N North Point As you would expect, North Point is the most northerly point on Hong Kong Island. In the 1920s, people could alight from the tram at North Point and go swimming in what was then very clear, unpolluted water. By 1941, North Point was home to a power station, a refugee camp built to house Nationalist soldiers (later used to house Canadian prisoners-of-war during Japanese occupation), a few factories and not much else. In the 1950s North Point became more built up and was known as “Little Shanghai”.
Ngau Tau Kok Ngau Tau Kok means “ox horn”, which is a reference to the coastline’s shape prior to reclamation of Kowloon Bay. Ngau Tau Kok has a long history of Hakka habitants, a subgroup of the Han Chinese people. M Mong Kok The name in Chinese means “flourishing/busy corner”. Recent road works uncovered pottery typical of the Jin Dynasty (265-420), which suggests the area may have been inhabited as early as 265 AD. The Guinness World Records once listed Mong Kok as having the highest population density in the world.
Mid-Levels The name is derived from the fact that the area is located halfway up Victoria Peak, directly above Central. Until the late 1950s, Mid-Levels was a place of winding tree-lined roads with gracious mansions and terraced gardens. The property boom of the 1960s and 70s meant that many old mansions were sold for development. The Central-Mid-Levels escalator was opened to the public in 1994, in order to make the steep incline easier for residents. The escalator is 800 metres long, making it the longest outdoor escalator in the world.
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O Old Peak Road This was the only road up to The Peak and so the main form of transit until the construction of the Peak Tram in 1888. It was originally just Peak Road, but a newer Peak Road was built on Cheung Chau, and so the name was modified to Old Peak Road.
Old Bailey Street Old Bailey Street, located in Central, takes its name from “Old Bailey”, the Central Criminal Court in London. Hong Kong’s first prison was built on the street in 1841. As the city’s population grew, a larger prison was needed and, in 1925, construction began on what became Stanley Prison. P Q Po Toi O Quarry Bay Po Toi O is a small fishing village on the Clear Water Bay Peninsula in Quarry Bay is an area beneath the New Territories. Po Toi O literally means “a sack” in Cantonese – a Mount Parker on Hong Kong Island. reference to the sack-like shape of the bay. Interestingly, everyone living in The area was used to quarry rocks the village near the bay has the same surname: Po. from the hillside for construction or road building. Once quarried, the Pok Fu Lam rocks were transported by ship. Pok Fu Lam, meaning “waterfall bay”, was among the first places on Hong Kong Island to be visited by European explorers. It was known to ships en Queen’s Pier route to Guangdong, formerly known in English as Canton, as a reliable The pier has been rebuilt twice. source of fresh water. There was little here other than unsanitary squatter The first was a wooden structure known residences that remained until the early 1950s. Little further was developed officially known as “Queen’s Statue here until the years immediately preceding the outbreak of war with Wharf”. It was a ceremonial landing Japan. It was also the place where Hong Kong’s floral emblem, the Bauhinia area for the British Royal family. The blakeana, was first discovered. pier was rebuilt in 1925 and given the name “Statue Pier”, but was renamed “Queen’s Pier” a few months later in R honour of Queen Victoria. Repulse Bay Tsin Shui Wan, as Repulse Bay is known in Chinese, can be translated as “Shallow Water Bay”. However, it acquired its new English name in commemoration of the HMS Repulse, a Royal Navy vessel that visited Hong Kong waters in the 19th century. Repulse Bay was an important strategic location during the Battle of Hong Kong and World War Two. In the 1910s, Repulse Bay was developed into a beach.
Rednaxela Terrace Rednaxela is Alexander spelled backwards. The street was named as such because the Chinese street sign painter couldn’t read English. Up until the early 20th century, the area comprised a series of dingy terraced streets running off of Shelley Street. They provided “cheek-by-jowl” terraced accommodation for less well-off members of Hong Kong’s local Portuguese community.
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S Sha Tin The original name for Sha Tin was Lek Yuen, which means “trickling source of clear water”. Allegedly, when British surveyors first visited Sha Tin Wai (a village in the area), they asked what the area was called. The villagers answered Sha Tin and the British mistakenly recorded this as the name for the whole area, replacing Lek Yuen.
Shau Kei Wan Shau Kei Wan means “rice basket bay” in Cantonese. The area closely resembles the shape of a rice basket in old photographs and on old maps. However, this is not the case today, as the coastline has been altered by reclamation. The original settlement pre-dates British arrival by centuries.
Shouson Hill Located between Deepwater Bay and Aberdeen, Shouson Hill was named after Chow Shouson, a high-ranking T official in China, before Tsim Sha Tsui the 1911 revolution. He was an Several villages were established here before Kowloon was ceded to the active businessman and politician British in 1860. Tsim Sha Tsui means “sandy mouth” and was a place in Hong Kong thereafter. used in the exportation of incense trees. Thus, the area used to be known as Heung Po Tau, “the fragrant quay”. In 1888, the Star Ferry was built Stanley for transportation between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui and the area has The area was named after Lord flourished ever since. Stanley, Secretary of State for the Colonies when Hong Kong was ceded Tin Hau to Great Britain in 1860. During the Tin Hau, Queen of Heaven, is an ancient Chinese deity. She is venerated as reign of the Chia Ching Emperor in the patron deity of the boat people in Hong Kong. The area takes its name the late 18th century, the notorious from the Tin Hau Temple. All Tin Hau temples are meant to be located very local pirate Cheung Po-Tsai had a close to the seashore – and this one used to be. The temple hasn’t moved, headquarters in the area. Cheung’s but the shoreline has by several hundred metres. A Tin Hau Temple, albeit notoriety is still evident in the Tin smaller and less elaborate than the current version, stood on the site several Hau Temple at nearby Ma Hang. decades before the British arrived in Hong Kong. U Upper Albert Road Named after Queen Victoria’s Consort Prince Albert, it surrounds Government House, the residence of former Governors of Hong Kong and the Chief Executive of Hong Kong.
Upper Lascar Row (Cat Street) “Lascars” were seamen from the East Indies who frequented the area, giving it a reputation for lawlessness and criminal behaviour. In the past it was a common joke that, if you had something stolen, you were almost certain to find it for sale back in Cat Street. In Cantonese slang, thieves are called rats, and the dealers who purchase goods from the rats are cats. Thus, this street is also known as “Cat Street” in Cantonese.
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V Victoria Peak Victoria Peak is a mountain on Hong Kong Island. During the late 1800s, the area became a desirable retreat for Hong Kong’s more affluent residents due to the cooler temperatures it enjoys during Hong Kong’s humid summers. In 1968, Hong Kong Governor Sir Richard MacDonnell built his summer home in the area, cementing its prestigious reputation.
Victoria Park Victoria Park was built on top of Hong Kong’s original typhoon shelter. In 1950, the land was reclaimed and a new typhoon shelter was built further out to sea. The reclaimed land was used to create Victoria Park. The park takes its name from the statue of Queen Victoria which stands in the park. Originally the statue stood in Statue Square. During World War Two, however, the Japanese removed the statue for scrap metal. When the statue was recovered after the war ended, Queen Victoria’s statue was re-mounted in Victoria Park. The name in Chinese characters on the statue still reads “Empress’ Statue Square”. W Wan Chai Despite its present-day form of busy roads and high-density buildings, the name Wan Chai, reflects a quieter past. Wan Chai means “small bay” in Cantonese and the area was once a quiet sandy bay on Hong Kong’s northern shoreline.
Wong Tai Sin Wong Tai Sin district’s name is derived from Wong Tai Sin Temple, a Taoist place of worship and one of the most famous shrines in Hong Kong. The temple was established in 1921 and is dedicated to the Chinese deity Wong Tai Sin, or the “Great Immortal Wong”. The influence of Wong Tai Sin spread from Guangdong Province to Hong Kong in the early 20th century. Y Z Yau Ma Tei Hong Kong Zoological and The name Yau Ma Tei cannot be found in any historical document prior to Botanical gardens British rule. However, the area was traditionally known as Kwun Chung, a The gardens were first established name which can be found in numerous documents. Kwun Chung was a river in 1860, and were originally set up valley and home to a village. The area was home to Kwun Chung Fort, which to determine what plants could grow was built by the Chinese to fend off the British. The fort was instrumental in best in the local soil and climate. keeping Kowloon from British takeover during the Battle of Kwun Chung in 1839. The fort with the hill was demolished for development during early British rule of Kowloon.
Yuen Long Yuen Long, also formerly known as Un Long, has a very long history. The earliest significant settlements in Yuen Long can be traced back to the Sung Dynasty (960 - 1279 AD) For centuries the area was a traditional market town.
September 2012 105 f it for your princess {or prince}
When your family stays at The Ritz-Carlton Sanya, it’s not just Mum and Dad who should expect VIP treatment, writes Larissa Downes.
106 Playtimes he Ritz-Carlton is one of a string of five-star region, plus all the amenities you’d expect in a top-notch hotels overlooking Yalong Bay at Sanya on resort. What sets The Ritz-Carlton apart is its focus on Hainan Island, rubbing shoulders with the giving children a truly first-class holiday experience. Hilton next door and the Marriott down the Parents will appreciate the careful attention to detail Troad, all of which are attracting a growing number of that makes a stay with kids easy. As well as the usual cots and Chinese visitors to the country’s very own tropical holiday high chairs, the hotel provides bottle warmers and sterilisers, isle. And with at least two airlines plying the 90-minute changing mats, baby bathtubs, prams and car seats on direct Hong Kong-Sanya route, Yalong Bay is one of request – all helping to lighten the load of families travelling the most accessible destinations for Hong Kong families with babies. In the hotel room, rubber protective corners on looking for a quick beach getaway. A weekend break with sharp-edged furniture will help toddlers avoid nasty bumps, my ten-year-old daughter Natasha made a perfect Friday and potties are to be found in all of the hotel’s restrooms. afternoon to Sunday evening escape. The focus on children extends to meal times, too. Executive chef Chris Southwick has created nutritious and Five-star treatment kid-friendly menus in all of the hotel’s restaurants, where From the moment you arrive in the hotel lobby you know small-sized tables and buffet tables are set up to cater to your kids are in for a treat – they are welcomed at their younger guests. What a treat to find a kids’ menu that very own check-in desk, where they have their photo taken doesn’t include the ubiquitous anything-fried-with-chips for their “Petit VIP” passport, in which they can collect staples! And when the kids get to make their own pizzas, stamps for each kids’ club activity they complete. The under the careful tutelage of the hotel chefs, the resulting newly crowned VIPs will find treats in the hotel room too, meal can be a lot of fun. where amenities include kid-sized bathrobes and slippers. For kids with the goal of achieving the highest level of The Ritz-Carlton is a big resort with expansive VIP service (those with a penchant for business class travel, gardens, two large swimming pools, a lagoon-style pool I suspect), the hotel offers a “child butler” service (for a not with access directly into the water from some rooms, and inconsiderable fee) where an individual attendant will cater a collection of secluded villas just off the beach. There are to a child’s every whim, 24 hours a day. While not quite in restaurants aplenty, luxury shops and the largest spa in the keeping with the spirit of the all-inclusive family holiday,
September 2012 107 this is certainly a boon for exhausted parents looking for engineer, “Uncle Martin”, decided to do a bit of gardening a break themselves. And I’m sure the kids could get used once upon a time. The result is a marvellous to it too! and carefully designed tropical garden that is home to many different kinds of More than a kids’ club small animals – from guinea pigs to The centrepiece of The Ritz-Carlton’s focus on kids is its ducks and Nimo, the resident three- Petit VIP programme, which runs throughout the hotel, flippered turtle (a graduate from all year round, dreamt up by the charismatic Ladislas the resort’s Sea Turtle 911 rescue Rubino, a teacher and ex-Club Med staffer (as well as part- programme). It is thoughtfully time magician) from France who is taking his message of laid out, with almost everything treating kids with class to five-star hotels around the world. made from recycled natural And it’s a programme very much suited to the little princes materials, including a few tree and princesses of Asia – who by the age of four already stumps carefully crafted as seats seem quite accustomed to the perks of a business class and a suitably gnarled tree lounge. (Indeed, it’s not uncommon at this time of year to house. It is a super place for hear earnest debate among a group of Hong Kong ten- city kids to learn about the year-olds over which is the best hotel pool in Asia!) natural world. The kids’ club offers activities each week at no Back inside the hotel, the additional cost for children in two age groups (ages one kids’ club is fully equipped to six and seven to 14). During our stay, the stand-out with toys, and there is also moments for parents and kids alike included an educational an outdoor playground, plus “turtle release” event, crab-catching by torchlight on the a dedicated kids’ pool with beach (followed by marshmallows and music around a slide. But you won’t campfire), a pirate treasure hunt through Uncle Martin’s find a single video Secret Garden and morning Family Tai Chi on the game in sight. lawn. My daughter lapped up the five-star treatment At the heart and particularly enjoyed a holiday packed with activities of the Petit she was interested in. The most fun she had was on the VIP concept is Segways (for hire at the beachfront) which, according to providing a Natasha, were “awesome”. Snorkelling and scuba diving holiday for the equipment is also available to hire. The hotel plans to add whole family more traditional Chinese elements to the programme, to reconnect, which is jam-packed with arts and crafts and sports. leaving the Nature is a real focus at the hotel, borne out by PlayStations the unusual find at the back of the hotel where its chief behind.
September 2012 109 This season, trend-setting is all about the glasses. Here, we show you the shapes and styles in the
spotlight. ISO 400 DEC 2012 DEC 400 ISO frame focus Styling and words Ingrid Keneally Photography Melanie Adamson Models Emma, Mei Yun, Kennedy and Jessica Hair styling Studio & props provided by Jennifer Bautista Melanie Adamson
110 Playtimes ISO 400 DEC 2012 Kennedy wears a denim dress from Gap, and Ray-Ban frames from SmartBuyGlasses.
112 Playtimes Kennedy wears a check dress from Kaloo, and Burberry frames from SmartBuyGlasses. Mei Yun wears a blue and white striped T-shirt from H&M, and Nike blue frames from SmartBuyGlasses.
114 Playtimes Emma wears a floral smock dress from Little Mercerie, and Burberry frames from SmartBuyGlasses. Jessica wears a blue and white striped Little Navy dress, and Nike sport frames from SmartBuyGlasses.
116 Playtimes Mei Yun wears stylist’s own dress, and Ray-Ban frames from SmartBuyGlasses. Emma wears a floral smock dress from Little Mercerie, and Burberry frames from SmartBuyGlasses. Mei Yun wears a blue and white striped T-shirt from H&M, and Nike blue frames from SmartBuyGlasses. Emma wears stylist’s own vintage Liberty dress, and Chloe frames from SmartBuyGlasses.
All of the frames pictured range from $800 to $1,600, and are available from SmartBuyGlasses.
118 Playtimes
JERI TELSTAR WRITING COMPETITION is now open from 17th September to 16th October!
Great prizes to be won! 2. Superhero Jeri Telstar packed away the boots that 2 winners will be chosen, one aged between 7 and 9, and a made him fly and the gloves that gave him strength. second aged between 10 and 12. Each winner will receive a His grandmother scooped up the hero gear. “It’s about time $500 Dymocks voucher and 20 bound copies of their fiction we got these washed, laundered and serviced,” she said. “I’m story. Each winner’s school will receive a complete set of P3 sending them to the lab for a complete overhaul.” children’s books. Details of the winners will be published in the Now he was just ordinary citizen Jeremiah Lee, a normal, December issue of Playtimes. nerdish kid in a normal school uniform. “It’ll take about two days,” she said. The Competition But less than 24 hours later, an emergency call came from the You may choose to complete any one of the three Jeri Telstar mayor. “We need Jeri Telstar!” he squealed. “Disaster is upon us.” story prompts included below. All entries must be in English and Jeremiah ran towards the centre of town, but he had no should not exceed 300 words. idea how he could help…
How to Enter 3. Jeremiah Lee’s best friend Merry Weather Please send your typed entry to: Jeri Telstar Writing scratched her head. Competition, PPP Company Limited, Unit 713, Level 7, Core E, The new teacher in the science lab looked just like the Cyberport 3, 100 Cyberport Road, Cyberport, Hong Kong or picture in the newspaper of a supervillain who had just email to [email protected] broken out of jail. Below are excerpts from three new Jeri Telstar adventures. Just then he threw off his disguise. “I have locked the door Choose one and write up to 300 words telling us the rest of the and will hold you all hostage,” he said. “Until I get my revenge story. N.B. Don’t forget knowledge is power! on Jeri Telstar, who put me in jail.” She called Jeri on her secret wrist-phone. He replied: 1. Jeremiah Lee watched the tv news with his eyes wide. “I can’t get there for at least ten minutes. See if you can He couldn’t believe what he saw! A huge supervillain defeat him with something you find in the science lab. And was emptying the city’s biggest bank. The baddie was so try not to be too violent!” strong that none of the usual grown-up superheroes could defeat him. Your entry should be accompanied by a typed letter stating your The TV news camera crew caught the supervillain’s name, home address, date of birth and the name and address cry of triumph. “No one can stop me! I, Musclehead, can of your school. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRY IS 16TH defeat anyone!” OCTOBER 2012. For more information, please call 2201 9715 or Jeremiah realized that if super-strength could not defeat email to [email protected]. this bad guy, brains and the knowledge from his school textbooks would have to do the trick. Five minutes later, in his costume as junior superhero Jeri Telstar, he was flying into action.
The Author
Comic novel author Nury Vittachi is one of Asia’s best-known writers. Chief judge of one of the world’s largest literary prizes, he co-founded the Hong Kong International Literary Festival and is founding editor of the Asia Literary Review. His novels are published around the world in many languages. But this author of more than 30 books insists that children’s literature is his biggest love. He has visited more than 100 schools around the world, where his talks range from “How to write stories teachers will love” for small children to “How to create a Nintendo game” for middle schoolers and “The Shakespeare rap” for older students. He was the keynote speaker at a recent international storytellers’ conference. His columns (which can be seen at www.misterjam.com) are read by more than a million people a month. If you ask your teacher nicely, he may be able to come and visit your school. Please see the website above or contact P3 Publishing at 2201 9715 or email to [email protected] for more details.
120 Playtimes superfood heroes Kick-start your day with these recipes from gourmet raw food chef and mum, Priscilla Soligo.
The Cheeky Chimp Smoothie Enjoy a green smoothie for breakfast, a snack, or on those nights you’re too tired to cook dinner. This is fast food that’s nutritious, delicious and filling. Equipment needed: Vitamix or high-speed blender. Makes 4 cups.
Ingredients • 2 cups (106g) spinach (including stems), chopped • 1 cup (125g) blueberries Ssshhhhh! • 1 cup (170g) mango, chopped If you can’t get your little one (or big one) to drink anything • 1 cup (139g) pear, chopped green, try “hiding” it inside an opaque bottle. It’ll be so • 1 Tbsp ground flax seeds yummy that they’ll never know it’s packed with nutrients • 1 Tbsp coconut oil (organic, cold-pressed is best) and superfoods. • 1 Tbsp hemp seeds • 1 tsp spirulina mana • 1 Tbsp almond butter (optional) • 1 cup filtered water Rotate your greens Method One morning, try spinach; the next day, try kale leaves • Place all ingredients into a Vitamix or high-speed blender (no stems). Baby bok choi, lettuce, parsley, choi sum – any and blend until creamy, smooth and well-incorporated. green leaf that you can wrap around your finger will work. • Green smoothies are best consumed immediately. They can You can even try green carrot tops and beet tops, which keep overnight; however, once oxidization begins, the flavours are actually much more nutritious than their roots! will change.
September 2012 121 www.hkywa.com I love writing. “I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions. James Michener, American author” The Hong Kong Young Writers Awards 2013 P3, the publisher of Playtimes magazine, now invites schools to register for the fourth annual HKYWA.
The theme for 2013 is “New Tales of the Great Wall”.
The Great Wall of China is one of the most inspiring man-made structures in the world. Built across the historical northern borders of China, students should find this a great source of inspiration to produce written and creative works in our four categories: Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry and Cover Art.
How to enter: If your school has not received the registration package, or you would like more information, please email [email protected].
Registration must be carried out through schools and not by individual students. Please register online at www.ppp.com.hk/ojs before 30 September 2012.
Organiser Sponsors
122 Playtimes superfood heroes
Apple Cinnamon Blueberry Chia Porridge with Nut-free Seed Milk
Equipment needed: Vitamix or high-speed blender, nut milk bag Makes 6 servings
Ingredients • 1 cup (157g) chia seeds • ¼ cup (37g) cacao nibs • 8 cups filtered water • 1 tsp maca powder • 1 cup (154g before soaking) pumpkin seeds, soaked in filtered • 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon water for at least 4 hours, and rinsed • ½ tsp ground nutmeg • 6 Medjool dates, pitted • ½ tsp Pink Himalayan crystal salt • 1 whole vanilla bean pod, chopped • 20 drops vanilla liquid stevia (or, to taste) • 2 cups (192g) coconut flakes • 1 cup (125g) blueberries • ¾ cup (95g) goji berries • 1 cup packed (234g) red or green apple, grated
Method • In a large bowl, combine chia seeds and 3 cups filtered • In a large separate bowl, combine coconut flakes, goji water and set aside to soak for at least 15 minutes, stirring berries, cacao nibs, maca powder, cinnamon, nutmeg occasionally. Chia seeds are hydrophilic and will absorb and salt, and mix well using a spoon or a spatula. up to 12 times their weight! • Add chia-milk mixture to dry ingredients and combine • In a high-speed blender, combine soaked pumpkin seeds, well by hand. dates, vanilla bean, and 5 cups filtered water, and blend • Add vanilla liquid stevia (to taste) and mix well by hand. until well-incorporated. Using a nut milk bag, strain the • Pour porridge into individual serving bowls. Fold milk into a separate large bowl, gently squeezing and blueberries into each serving and top with grated apple. pressing until the milk comes out. • This porridge will keep for up to 4 to 5 days in the fridge • Add the milk mixture immediately to the soaked chia seeds. (without blueberries and apple added).
To learn more about Rawthentic Food Chef Priscilla, click www.rawthenticfood.com. Shopping for all things raw? Visit their online store at www.rawthenticfoodstore.com. Chef Priscilla offers organic living food classes and dining experiences at two locations: The Studio by Culinart and Chef Priscilla and her son Luca Grassroots Pantry. Find details on the Rawthentic Food website. Photo by Kate Baumgartner@LotusBlu
September 2012 123
stockists
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Editorial Deadline: 10 September Booking Deadline: 17 September Artwork Deadline: 18 September
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128 Playtimes September 2012 129 130 Playtimes September 2012 131 132 Playtimes September 2012 133 134 Playtimes September 2012 135 How to write the perfect academic paper Education is not just for kids: adults can enhance their careers with academic magic, says father-of-three Nury Vittachi.
eachers, accountants and other professionals: But beware. Some tricks are too well-known, Denise said. do you want more respect and more pay? Want For example, the phrase, “Researchers would like to to be called “Professor”? Now you can. Simply acknowledge the assistance given by students” is known to write academic papers and your career will mean “I made my students do the work and then stole it.” beT magically enhanced. Do enough of them and you can And sentences such as “We selected three examples officially get the title “Doctor” and can moonlight with at random” inevitably mean “Out of 2,368 attempts, only a bit of surgery. It can’t be that difficult. I carved a leg three results supported our hypothesis, so those are the of lamb once. But what does one have to write? Will my ones we here record.” Facebook entries do? “No,” said Syed Siddique, a reader who has been a professor for more than 20 years. They have to be works in “academic-style writing” published in “learned journals”. What exactly does that mean? Reader Denise Luk Instead of, “Me and my showed me a paper published by top academic publisher Routledge, opening with this line: “Since thought is seen friend think,” you put, “It is to be rhizomatic rather than arboreal, the movement of universally accepted that”. differentiation and becoming is already imbued with its own positive trajectory.” OK. Right. If you want to sound really smart, the final three steps What? are these. To the rescue came reader Chaminda Da Silva, a Tokyo- 1 Rewrite your sentences to be in the passive voice, so that based research fellow in computer science. He offered to give “I lit a fire” becomes “The fire was lit by I.” me lessons, saying: “The title has to follow a certain pattern.” 2 Remove easy words and substitute hard ones. So it 1 Short baffling phrase. becomes: “The conflagration was ignited by a two-legged 2 Colon. mammalian animal of the species humanus academica 3 Long boring phrase. boringus.” He explained: “For example, Harry Potter and the 3 As a final step, true academics go through their papers Sorcerer’s Stone would become PotStone: a Study of Harry Potter’s and replace every occurrence of the word “I” with the Experiences Related to the Sorcerer’s Rock Specimen.” word “we”, however absurd it sounds. I tried it myself. Batman would become: Going into Bat: A Example: “On the day of the experiment, we woke up, Narrative of a Tycoon in a Pointy-Eared Mask Inspired by the Aerial blew our nose and kissed our wife. Our experiment was Winged Rodent Chiroptera.” delayed when we dropped our test tube on our left foot after That wasn’t so hard. As a service to academics who we were distracted by our departmental secretary, who sat want to be head teachers, doctors, masters, professors, etc., on our lap.” here are other Top Tips from academic readers. If all of the above sounds too exhausting, take a break After you’ve made a hypothesis, done some and watch a movie. I recommend The Aerial Winged Rodent experiments to see if it is true, and then written up your Chiroptera Rises. notes, edit your phrases as follows: Instead of “I think,” you write, “It is widely believed”. Instead of,“Me and my friend think,” you put, “It is Nury Vittachi writes a regular humour column at universally accepted that”. www.mrjam.org.
136 Playtimes