Category: Parents Zone

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Parents Zone

Open-ended questions help enhance children’s associative skills

Written by: Pang Chi Wah, Registered Educational Psychologist

Many parents hope to enhance their children’s thinking skills. In fact, as long as parents properly guide their children to connect some small things in life and then ask leading questions, they can consciously think about the things they see and related knowledge. For example, when children see an apple, let them think about what kind of object is also round or red; when they hear the sound of birds, they will think about what kind of animal can fly.

Ask your child more questions that are not restrictive

When parents ask children questions, do not force them to answer or ask for a definite answer, or even ask them to answer the question right away because they may still be thinking about it. Parents do not need to ask any restrictive questions and can ask whatever comes to mind, such as what kind of objects chopsticks are like and what kind of people wear uniforms like students. In addition to making them think more, parents can also think and discuss with their children as a parent-child activity, which helps to enhance their relationship.

In addition to asking individual questions, parents can also allow children to answer questions with their siblings or friends. For children with higher ability, parents can let them answer more different answers; for children with average ability, they can answer fewer answers; for those with weaker ability, parents can guide them to answer through appropriate prompting and demonstration.

Parents can look for questions in their lives

Parents can look for questions in their lives that they can ask. They can even try to ask questions that are imaginative and open to discussion, so that their children can use their imagination and associative power. For example, parents can ask their children what things are round outdoors, what things in the house are made of iron, what foods are red, and so on. On the other hand, questions with definite and positive answers, such as math questions (1 plus 1 equals how many), are generally called “closed-ended questions” and are not very helpful in improving children’s associative skills because they only have specific answers.

In fact, creation and association should start from the smallest things, which is a good way to train children’s associative and thinking skills. Therefore, parents should start from today to enhance your child’s associative skills!

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Parents Zone

Oral Muscle Development Training: Laying the Foundation for Language Skills

Written by: Speech Therapist Ms Jenny T. Y. Kwok

Every child’s language ability is different. Some children can speak various words by the age of one and form sentences by two, communicating effectively with others. However, some children develop their language skills more slowly. In fact, the development of oral muscles has a profound impact on both eating and language abilities. Parents can engage in various small games to train their children’s oral muscles, laying a solid foundation for their language development.

Oral muscles include the muscles of the cheeks, lips, tongue, and jaw, which develop and improve with age and eating experiences. The strength, control, flexibility, and coordination of these muscles are crucial factors in a child’s ability to learn to speak.

Daily meal times provide excellent practice opportunities. However, some cases involve children primarily eating finely chopped or pureed foods, which can hinder the normal development of their chewing abilities, affecting both eating and language development. Common issues include drooling and unclear or inaccurate pronunciation, so oral muscle problems must be addressed.

Here are some simple games to train oral muscles, which we hope will improve children’s oral capabilities through fun activities, thus laying a strong foundation for their language skills.

Blowing Practice

How to Play:

First, prepare a basin of water and position it between the parent and child, who should face each other. Fill the basin halfway with water and place a paper boat on the parent’s side, adding a small treat or toy (such as stickers, etc.) inside. The parent blows the paper boat toward the child, who can then take the treat. If the child wants more, they must blow the boat back toward the parent.

This blowing exercise strengthens the ability to retract the tongue and round the lips, enhancing the stability and control of the jaw, which improves speech clarity.

Chewing Practice

How to Play:

Cut harder vegetables or fruits (such as carrots, cucumbers, celery, and apples) into strips approximately the length and thickness of a finger. The parent holds the end of the vegetable strip and places it between the child’s molars to encourage chewing. The parent should stabilize the food’s position, pushing it slightly each time the child bites until the strip is completely eaten, alternating sides for practice. Parents can adjust the size, length, and hardness of the food strips according to the child’s abilities.

Chewing requires the coordination of the lips, tongue, and jaw muscles, while speech development also relies on the collaboration of different oral muscles to produce various sounds. Therefore, chewing training helps improve clarity of pronunciation.

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Parents Zone

Are You Fearful of Answering Calls from School?

Written by: Heep Hong Society Educational Psychologist Team

During a parents’ meeting, Mrs. Wong expressed her fear of receiving calls addressed to her as “Mrs. Wong,” as they are usually from her son Didi’s class teacher. Each time, the call revolves around complaints about Didi’s unusual behavior in class—either he frequently leaves his seat or disrupts his classmates during lessons. On rare occasions when he stays in his seat, she hopes for some quiet, but within 15 minutes, he becomes active again, and his disruptive behavior resumes. The most frustrating issue for the teacher is Didi’s noticeable lack of focus compared to his peers. He cannot concentrate for long during lessons; even the sound of a classmate coughing or whispering is enough to distract him, especially in dull classes where his attention drops rapidly.

Didi is also an impulsive child. There was an incident when a classmate sitting next to him accidentally kicked him, and he immediately retaliated with his fists. He often speaks without thinking, which frequently embarrasses those around him. Over time, not only do many teachers dislike him, but his classmates also find him very annoying. As a result, during recess, Didi often finds himself alone. Each day he comes home and complains to his mother about how unhappy he is because no one wants to play with him, and each time she hears this, her heart aches. She patiently talks to Didi, hoping he will realize his mistakes and change, but the calls from school continue without interruption.

Compared to other children his age, Didi has a shorter attention span, is unusually hyperactive, and exhibits many behavioral problems. Due to his impulsivity, he may be a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Parents who notice similar signs in their children should seek evaluation and assistance as soon as possible. The earlier children receive help, the more their difficulties in learning and socializing can be alleviated.

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Parents Zone

Understanding Common Infectious Diseases in Schoolchildren

Written by : Dr. Chiu Cheung Shing

The weather in Hong Kong can be unpredictable, and combined with children’s weaker immune systems, they are prone to various illnesses. Moreover, children learn and play together at school, making it easy for infectious diseases to spread. Therefore, parents must have a certain understanding of common infectious diseases among schoolchildren to take necessary preventive measures and avoid infections.

In Hong Kong, schoolchildren’s infectious diseases can be categorized based on their mode of transmission:

1. Droplet Transmission

Children can inhale droplets expelled by an infected person when they sneeze, cough, spit, or talk. They may also touch surfaces contaminated with pathogens and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth, allowing the virus to enter their bodies and cause infection. Common illnesses include upper respiratory infections (commonly referred to as colds), influenza, and hand, foot, and mouth disease.

2. Contact Transmission

This occurs when viruses are transmitted through direct contact with an infected person’s body, such as skin-to-skin contact. The most common example is hand, foot, and mouth disease.

3. Airborne Transmission

Pathogens can remain suspended in the air for a period, entering the human body through the respiratory system without direct contact. Common diseases transmitted this way include chickenpox and measles.

4. Hygiene-Related Infections

Some infectious diseases arise from improper personal hygiene, such as urinary tract infections or gastroenteritis (commonly referred to as stomach flu).

Handling Infectious Diseases

When a child contracts any infectious disease, they should not attend school. Firstly, the child may encounter more viruses at school or further weaken their immune system. Secondly, for public health considerations, it is essential to prevent the spread of the virus. Parents should allow their children to rest at home and return to school only after recovery. Additionally, parents can take preventive actions early, such as ensuring their children receive vaccinations against diseases like influenza or chickenpox, which can effectively prevent infections.

Parents should teach their children to avoid contact with classmates who have colds and to wash their hands frequently, using hand sanitizers appropriately to maintain personal hygiene. They should also instruct their children not to share cups or utensils to prevent cross-infection.

If a school suspects that a student has an infectious disease, teachers should remind the affected student to wear a mask, cover their mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing, and should try to isolate the student while properly handling any bodily fluids. Parents should be informed to take the child to see a doctor.

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Parents Zone

Master These 3 Tips to Help Your Children Follow Instructions!

“Why don’t you listen?” “Look at how well-behaved that child is.” Have you ever found these phrases familiar? The issue of children not listening is a common problem that many parents struggle to resolve. Some parents resort to scolding, which can worsen the parent-child relationship, while others choose to ignore the behavior, fearing their children will become worse as they grow up.

If you want your children to grow up healthy and happy while also being able to follow instructions, it’s actually not difficult—the key lies in the hands of the parents.

  1. Avoid Bombarding with Demands

Put yourself in their shoes. Imagine that when you arrive at work, your boss immediately throws ten tasks at you. You would likely feel frustrated, unsure of where to start, and overwhelmed by the sheer volume of work. The same goes for children; receiving too many instructions at once can leave them feeling confused, and they may not have the ability to prioritize those tasks, leading them to simply “pretend not to hear.” Parents should wait for their children to complete one task before giving them another, rather than listing all demands at once.

  1. Avoid Using Interrogative Phrasing

Some parents like to give instructions in the form of questions, such as “How about you clean up after eating?” For children, this is not an instruction but rather a question that they can choose to ignore. If parents want their children to clean up after meals, they should say directly, “You need to clean up after eating.”

  1. Choose a Time When Everyone is Focused

When to give instructions is also an important aspect. Sometimes, when children are watching TV or using their phones, they may not hear your instructions at all; they might just respond with a reflexive “Oh” or “Okay,” and then forget completely. Parents can wait until after the children have finished watching TV, or directly ask them for a minute of their attention to ensure that they understand the request. Additionally, when making requests, parents should also put aside other tasks to model focused communication for their children.

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Parents Zone

Genetics or Poor Lifestyle Habits Can Make Children Prone to Astigmatism!

Astigmatism can cause blurred or distorted vision, affecting eyesight. The primary cause of astigmatism in children is related to genetic factors, but it can also be due to poor lifestyle habits, such as engaging in activities in poorly lit environments or lying down while reading, which may lead to astigmatism. Learn more about the symptoms, treatment, and prevention methods for astigmatism in children.

Definition of Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a common refractive error. A normal cornea is a perfectly round hemisphere, while an astigmatic cornea has an oval shape. When the cornea or lens cannot evenly focus light coming from all directions onto the retina, it results in blurred or distorted images, leading to astigmatism.

Regular Astigmatism vs. Irregular Astigmatism

Astigmatism is mainly divided into regular and irregular types.

  • Irregular Astigmatism: This occurs when the shape of the cornea is unevenly curved, causing light to scatter in all directions and preventing it from focusing on the retina, leading to image distortion.
  • Regular Astigmatism: This occurs when the curvature of the cornea is inconsistent in one direction compared to its perpendicular direction. The varying curvature causes light to focus at different positions on the retina, resulting in different types of regular astigmatism, including:
    1. Myopic Astigmatism: One main light ray focuses on the retina while another focuses in front of it; or both main light rays focus in front of the retina but at different points.
    2. Hyperopic Astigmatism: One main light ray focuses on the retina while another focuses behind it; or both main light rays focus behind the retina but at different points.
    3. Mixed Astigmatism: One main light ray focuses in front of the retina while another focuses behind it.

What Symptoms Indicate That a Child Might Have Astigmatism?

  1. Decreased Vision: Astigmatism usually causes blurred or distorted vision, affecting the ability to see both distant and nearby objects. When the degree of astigmatism is mild, it may not significantly impact vision. However, as it worsens, vision may decline noticeably, and in severe cases, double vision may occur.
  2. Eye Fatigue: Children may experience eye fatigue due to the ciliary muscles straining to see clearly. In severe cases, this can lead to headaches and discomfort in the eyes and eye sockets, impacting daily life.

Causes of Astigmatism

  1. Genetics: One of the primary causes of astigmatism is the inherent shape of the eyeball, which may be related to genetic factors. When the eyeball does not grow perfectly round, light cannot focus on the same spot on the retina, resulting in astigmatism. Congenital astigmatism may gradually decrease as the eyeball develops.
  2. Poor Lifestyle Habits: The likelihood of astigmatism developing due to acquired factors is low. Reports suggest that improper eye usage, such as frequently engaging in activities in poorly lit environments, lying down while reading, squinting, and rubbing the eyes, can exert pressure on the cornea, changing its curvature and increasing the degree of astigmatism.
  3. Previous Eye Injuries: Additionally, a small number of people may experience corneal trauma, such as ulcers or injuries. Scarring that occurs after healing can result in an uneven cornea with varying curvature, leading to astigmatism.

Methods for Detecting Astigmatism

If you notice that your child has difficulty seeing distant or nearby objects or frequently feels eye fatigue, it is important to schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye health examination.

Many eye clinics and hospitals offer one-stop eye health programs for children, which may include the following services:

  • Comprehensive examinations (with detailed reports)
  • Recommendations for myopia control from optometrists: myopia control lenses and frames / orthokeratology lenses (OK lenses) for overnight wear / daily wear soft contact lenses for myopia control / atropine eye drops, etc.

3 Treatment Methods for Astigmatism

  1. Eyeglasses or Soft Contact Lenses: These correct astigmatism by allowing light to refract properly and focus on the retina.
  2. Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lenses: Wearing rigid contact lenses at night can reshape the cornea, providing normal levels of vision after removal in the morning. This method is commonly used to control the progression of myopia and astigmatism in children and teenagers.
  3. Laser Vision Correction (for Adults Only): Adults over the age of 18 with stable astigmatism may consider laser vision correction surgery to correct astigmatism.

Since age and adaptability of the eyes vary from person to person, vision correction plans can differ. Before undergoing vision correction, a detailed eye health examination and consultation with an ophthalmologist should be conducted to find the most suitable correction method.

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Parents Zone

Positive Parenting Academy

Director Dad, Chen Min
“Can nurturing a child only be successful, not a failure?” It can, but at a cost. If I ask everyone to share your “childhood” memories, what would be the first thing that comes to your mind? During the counseling process, I always try to understand the recipient’s childhood memories because according to many psychological studies, a person’s experiences during childhood are enough to influence a person’s future values, mate selection, the quality of interpersonal relationships, and even their destiny.
As parents, we always hope that our children will surpass us, so we unconsciously have expectations for them. This is an inevitable occurrence, but whether parents have expectations that are too high or too low, what is considered “reasonable,” how we evaluate or set reasonable expectations can significantly affect how children build their self-confidence and self-efficacy.
I remember during a communication process with teenagers, I asked them a question, “Who can share 10 personal strengths in 1 minute?” One teenager responded, “He said it’s already good that we have no weaknesses, so why talk about so many strengths!” This statement deeply shocked me because these are what we call top students; they possess what others consider high academic achievements, yet they have no confidence in themselves. It made me realize that behind the pursuit of perfection lies the potential for a person’s self-worth to be completely defeated.
Between 1989 and 2016, psychologists Thomas Curran and Andrew Hill conducted comprehensive analyses and studies on perfectionism and found a significant increase in perfectionist tendencies. Surprisingly, in children and teenagers, 2 out of 5 individuals were found to be perfectionists. Contrary to popular belief, research shows that individuals with perfectionist tendencies do not necessarily become more successful; instead, they tend to become more fragile and anxious than the average person. This is because they cope with the world through the ultimate form of self-defeat. They often cannot accept making mistakes, yet making mistakes is a necessary stage in people’s lives, an essential part of our growth, learning, and indispensable for navigating social interactions.

 

According to research from Curtin University in Australia, perfectionism can lead to various mental disorders. The higher the degree of perfectionism, the greater the psychological obstacles one faces. Therefore, when parents do not understand the extent to which their children can endure and demand perfection and success in everything, the cost can be depression, anxiety disorders, self-harm, and more alarmingly, the increasing number of student suicides in recent years.
Of course, some scholars argue that perfectionism is healthy and desirable. For example, perfectionists are usually hardworking, loyal, diligent, and so on. However, in reality, perfectionism and high standards are not the same. Perfectionism is a way of thinking about oneself, not a behavior.

Here are some behavioral characteristics of perfectionism:
They experience intense emotional fluctuations and are highly sensitive to stress.
They cannot accept failure and are not easily open to suggestions.
They tend to turn opinions into shame and anger.
They choose to avoid or resist things that they are not sure of succeeding in.
They are good at self-criticism, which can lead to symptoms of depression.

Having read this far, I wonder what opinions the readers have about perfectionism. If you hope that our next generation will learn to appreciate themselves, face failures and successes willingly, and be willing to learn in the process, I encourage you to support their efforts more, to take pride in their efforts, rather than just focusing on the outcomes.

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Parents Zone

Writing Skills Mini Training

Article by Mr. Cheng Wai-keung, Psychological Counselor at the Infant and Toddler Psychological Development Association.
During the writing training session, Mr. Cheng Wai-keung, a psychological counselor from the Infant and Toddler Psychological Development Association, mentioned the common struggles children face when learning to write in K2.
“He can never write within the lines, everything ends up ‘flying’!”
“His letters always go beyond the boxes; usually, one letter ‘bullies’ two boxes!”
“He often skips lines or boxes while writing.”
“It seems like he lacks strength when writing, the writing is so light that it’s almost invisible!”
These are typical scenarios many children encounter when learning to write in K2. Writing
requires a combination of various skills, with the most basic being the strength and flexibility
of the small finger muscles (fine motor skills). Insufficient training in fine motor skills can lead
to issues like weak or shaky handwriting. So, how can parents handle and train their children
in this aspect? It’s simple—start by letting them play with clay, playdough, flour, and other
similar materials from a young age.

 

Furthermore, visual spatial awareness and eye control are also crucial for handwriting.Engaging in general ball activities is excellent for training these skills. Tracking the ball visually and making contact (or kicking) the ball is a natural and fun way to practice.Additionally, activities like spot the difference games (finding variances in two pictures) and maze games (first visually finding the way out, then connecting the lines with a pen) can also enhance eye control abilities.

Hand-eye coordination is vital during handwriting practice and should not be overlooked!Activities like bean bag tossing, fishing games, pouring water exercises, and paper cutting can greatly improve hand-eye coordination.

When should these games be introduced, and how long should they be practiced daily?Ideally, parents can start playing these games with their children when they understand and are capable of playing. It’s crucial to base the duration of play on the child’s willingness. If a child loses interest, parents should switch activities rather than enforcing a specific time frame. The author believes that through daily play, children can naturally acquire skills, preventing issues from arising, rather than resorting to remedial exercises. Otherwise, even the most enjoyable games can become tedious and burdensome, leading to more suffering than enjoyment.

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Is it Eczema or Skin Sensitivity?

Parent Tips

Is it Eczema or Skin Sensitivity?

Written by: YEUNG Ming Ha, Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner

As we move into early autumn, in addition to starting to feel the cool breezes, we also notice that many of our friends around us have started to “itch”, and skin problems have come knocking on the door again! Many people have rushed to seek medical attention, constantly inquiring whether they have already contracted incurable eczema. Although eczema itself has different categories, in terms of the pathogenesis, there are many similarities with skin sensitivity. How exactly should we distinguish between skin sensitivity and eczema? Is eczema really as terrible as it seems?

  • Causes of the Condition

Eczema is a common type of allergic dermatitis that is not contagious. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is referred to as “damp sores”, and it is a very common skin condition. The internal factors of eczema include constitution, emotions, and organ dysfunction, while the external factors include wind, dampness, and heat obstructing the skin. “Where evil congregates, the vital energy must be deficient.” When the body’s righteous qi is weakened, and the immune system function is reduced, wind, dampness, and heat evils permeate the skin, leading to the development or worsening of eczema.

Skin sensitivity, also known as urticaria, is closely related to certain food sensitivities or contact with substances. There are two common types of skin sensitivity. The first is an allergic reaction triggered by exposure to external irritants such as metals, dust mites, and chemicals. The second is caused by food sensitivity, which can lead to varying degrees of skin sensitivity issues, including redness, dryness, and peeling, as well as intense itching that may result in a “scratching” sensation.

  • Differences in the Appearance of the Affected Areas

In terms of the appearance of the skin rash, skin sensitivity generally presents with redness, and even urticaria, which can worsen after scratching. Acute eczema can manifest with red rashes, oozing, and even bleeding, while chronic eczema can lead to thickening of the stratum corneum, an uneven surface, dryness, and even cracking. Once this thickened stratum corneum is scratched off, it can not only cause bleeding, but also result in oozing. Moreover, eczema can occur on any part of the body, such as the ears, head, face, hands, navel, and legs, but in a symmetrical distribution. Patients often experience intense itching, and when they scratch the affected areas, it can lead to skin erosion, oozing of serous fluid, and even the formation of thick crusts. The repeated episodes can make the skin surface rough and with raised lesions.

 

  • Treatments Converge Towards the Same Goal

Skin problems are primarily related to the three pathogenic factors of wind, dampness, and heat, especially dampness. Dampness can engender heat, leading to a damp-heat pattern. Over time, dampness can injure the spleen, while heat can damage the yin blood, resulting in a mixed pattern of deficiency and excess. This is because the patient’s innate constitution (inherent physical factors) is intolerant, with a weakened spleen and stomach, leading to the generation of internal damp-heat. When combined with an external wind evil, the internal and external evils interact, causing the wind-damp-heat evil to permeate the skin. Patients generally have a congenitally weak spleen and stomach constitution. Excessive consumption of spicy, irritating foods like seafood, or a large intake of raw, cold foods in summer can lead to dampness and toxins burdening the body, further impairing the spleen’s function and increasing the likelihood of developing skin sensitivity.

Therefore, dietary adjustment is crucial in the treatment of skin problems. Patients with skin diseases should avoid “aggravating foods” during the treatment period. These include seafood, beef, sweets, spicy foods, and alcohol – items that can trigger or worsen skin rashes. Patients should also avoid various skin irritants, such as scratching, using strongly alkaline soaps, taking hot showers, and engaging in activities that cause excessive sweating, as these can provide relief for eczema.

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Healthy Back Care Exercises – Suitable for Both Adults and Children

Parent Tips

Healthy Back Care Exercises – Suitable for Both Adults and Children

Written by: Fong Wai Kwan, Dr. Kong’s Professional Team of Registered Physiotherapist

 

Parents should avoid letting their children develop the following bad postures, which can affect the development of the spine:

 

When children are doing their homework, they should avoid sitting sideways to one side, as this posture can easily lead to uneven use of force on the left and right sides of the spine, causing problems such as scoliosis. At the same time, they should maintain an upright posture in both the neck and waist.

When children use computers, they should not lean their necks too far forward to look at the screen, as this can easily lead to neck strain. Parents should also remind children to keep their necks and backs straight, and choose chairs that are adjustable in height and equipped with backrests and armrests to support the back, hands, and wrists. Additionally, the screen should be positioned at a height not above eye level. After every 30 minutes of computer use, there should be adequate rest breaks taken.

 

When lifting heavy objects from the floor, it is best to avoid bending the waist forward to pick them up. Instead, one should adopt a semi-squatting posture, keeping the waist straight. Then, grip the heavy object with both hands, keeping it as close to the body as possible. Finally, use the leg muscles to stand up, maintaining a straight waist.

 

Neck Stretching Exercises

Purpose: To help relieve muscle tension in the neck

Steps: 1. Turn your head to the left and right sides, holding each position for 10 seconds.

  1. Move your head up and down, holding each position for 10 seconds.
  2. Tilt your head towards the left and right sides, holding each position for 10 seconds.

Repeat the full set of exercises 10 times per day.

 

Shoulder Stretching Exercises

Purpose: To help relieve tension in the shoulder muscles

Steps: Place your hands on your shoulders, and rotate your elbows forward and backward 10 times in each direction.

Chest Stretching

Purpose: To help stretch the chest muscles and improve poor posture

Steps: Firmly grasp your hands behind your back, and raise your hands as high as possible, holding for 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times per day.

 

Stretching the Back and Waist Muscles

Purpose: To help relieve tension in the back and waist muscles

Steps: 1. Place your hands on your knees, then bend forward at the waist, hold for 10 seconds, and slowly return to a standing position.

  1. Place your hands on your hips, then bend backward at the waist, hold for 10 seconds, and slowly return to a standing position.

Repeat the full set of exercises 10 times per day.

 

Side Body Stretching

Purpose: To help relieve tension in the side waist muscles

Steps: 1. Place your hands on your hips and twist your waist from side to side, slowly returning to the starting standing position with hands on hips. Hold each side for 10 seconds.

  1. Raise your left hand and bend to the right, hold for 10 seconds, then slowly return to the starting standing position with hands on hips.
  2. Raise your right hand and bend to the left, hold for 10 seconds, then slowly return to the starting standing position with hands on hips.

Repeat the full set of exercises 10 times per day.