I’m outraged by parents who hit their children. Sometimes I see this in Hong Kong and it drives me crazy. What are your thoughts on this?
Dr. Helen Poon answers: Throughout history many cultures have accepted spanking or hitting as a means of disciplining children. The Asian culture is no different. In fact in most parts of Eastern Asia (including China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea), physical/ corporal punishment of one’s children is lawful. This would include Hong Kong. more…
My child is 6 years old. He graduated valedictorian in kindergarten last March. He is in First Grade now, but he doesn’t love to write… so he is failing quizzes and missing assignments. What can I do to help him love writing? Please help me.
Maria, Davao City, Philippines
Mio Debnam replies: Valedictorian is a title normally given to the most academically able student of a graduating year, so I’m assuming that the fact that he was valedictorian in his kindergarten must mean that your son is a quick learner, and is a bright boy… who doesn’t like writing (yet). more…
I recently closed an education/insurance policy I had at a bank because my financial situation changed. I got a payout of about HK$20,000. What would be a good long-term invest with this money for my child’s university education? She is 11 years old now.
Sheila Dickinson replies: When it comes to education planning and funding, there isn’t a rule of thumb. You should first look at the fundamentals such as where you are now, how many children you have, how old they are, how long it is before you need the education fund, what ambitions do you have for your children and what level of education you want to provide. more…
How important is it for my child to keep up with his reading/writing over the long summer holidays? If he does not, will he fall seriously behind?
Amy Stewart replies: It is always great to encourage your child to read and write, whether it is during the school term time or during the holidays. But it is also good to be mindful that your child should take a break from full-time learning. more…
PRESS RELEASE
Daily7 and Daily10 launches online newspapers for kids
HONG KONG, JUNE 17, 2010: Step Max Ltd, the leading publisher of English language newspapers for children aged 5 to 11, has launched a digital version of its newspapers. Daily7 and Daily10 are now available online via the company’s website www.daily7-daily10.com. Subscribers can log on to read the news which is updated every day except on Sundays.
I’d like my child to develop his love of writing further. How can I do this? He is 9 years old, and likes to write ‘imaginary’ stories. He is very creative!
Mio Debnam replies: It’s lovely to hear of a child who loves to write and has a good imagination! I think that having the enthusiasm and the drive to write are two of the most important things to being a writer, so he is well on his way. more…
My daughter is 5 and we are going to have another baby in four months. It’s a boy. How can I make sure that my little girl accepts and loves her brother from the very start?
Dr. Helen Poon answers: Love and acceptance can never be guaranteed nor assumed. However as parents you can encourage and put things into place to facilitate the upcoming changes (new family member) in the family unit. more…
My daughter is 7. Should I be teaching her anything about money, like how to save and spend and things like that?
Sheila Dickinson replies: Research shows that children’s money behaviour is usually established by age 10. However, learning good money habits doesn’t happen by osmosis and it’s not genetic. more…
