TODAY IN HONG KONG
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TICKIKIDS HONG KONG BLOG
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TickiKids' Educational Guide: Top preschools in Hong Kong
Choosing the right preschool for your child can be a daunting and tad stressful task for most parents living in a big city like Hong Kong. However, it will be well worth the investment of time and energy in the long run. Receiving a good preschool education is vital during a child's formative years, as children in this tender age group absorb and achieve more than at any other stage in their school life. This crucial first step on the educational road fosters an interest, enthusiasm and confidence that has every chance of persisting through their subsequent time in school. At TickiKids, we pride ourselves on our understanding of the things that really matter to parents when it comes to childcare and preschool education. You want your child to be happy, confident, challenged and able to reach his/her potential physically, socially, emotionally and, sure enough, academically, before moving on to the next school. Fret not, because we have done the hard work for you. For our educational guide, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the top preschools and daycare options in Hong Kong.
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3 ways to get your child to read more
“How do I stop being on the screen all the time and get him interested in reading?” -asked my friend, mother of a 12-year-old.I looked at my friend surprised, wondering what prompted her to ask this question. We were traveling in the Hong Kong subway which is called MTR (short for Mass Transit Rail). She pointed towards a family sitting in a few seats away. The child was reading a book!! While this was a common sight when we were growing up, these days books and newspapers have been replaced by phones and tablets. In Hong Kong, it is a common to see all ages glued to their screen irrespective of whether they are walking or sitting or dining!!!
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The Shops for Babies and Mums-to-Be in Hong Kong All Parents Will Love
A sensible approach to the new addition to the family can save you from the piles of needless baby stuff. And the choice of the shop for babies and future parents is crucial, as this place can save you lots of time and money. Our experts handpicked top shops that offer essential and high-quality goods for your beloved ones.
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Great Online Courses for the Young in Hong Kong
COVID-19 changes our plans with lightning speed. Schools close, classes are on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic. But, before your kids start to celebrate this education-free time, there is no need to worry, parents! TickiKids has got your backs!This isolation period is the window of opportunity to spend time on the disciplines that your kid likes or wants to improve. So, before digging into the textbooks with your kid, consider online courses that will occupy your child for a couple of hours and save some free time for you. We have selected the most interesting and entertaining online courses that turn studies into fun and catching pastime. Take full advantage of this ‘mandatory leave’ as it is the perfect possibility to learn something useful from the comfort of your home!
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Best Movies to Keep Kids Engaged While Staying at Home
Сinema has given us thousands of indelible that entertain and stimulate children. We all grew up with classics that have stuck with us: for some it was Pixar; others were weaned on the classics of Disney animation or Studio Ghibli's fantastical otherworlds.TickiKids selected the best movies to keep kids engaged while staying at home. Watch it and enjoy it!
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5 Ways to Help Kids Socialise in a Time of Social Distancing
“I don’t know how we are going to do this. I have taken the next 3 days off. But after that, with both me and my wife working from home and kids having nothing to do, nowhere to go. I don’t know how we are going to manage. The problem is, we don’t even know how long social distancing needs to continue. The kids can’t go to their friends’ house, they can’t go to the park, what do they do?” said my exasperated brother who lives in Canada. My call with him prompted me to write this article.
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Coping with Children's Anxiety about the Coronavirus Outbreak
As you can see, our current situation has all the factors that make a person stressful. Most of the parents I have talked to are stressed out themselves. One parent I was talking to even mentioned that sometimes she gets flashes of images from the movie Doomsday. If the current situation is doing this to us adults, just imagine what might be going on in a teen’s mind.
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Self-Doubt in Children
“Everyone is always getting better grades than me in class. I never do anything better than others.”“She is so much better than me in everything. I don’t think she considers me to be her friend. She is just being nice to me.”“I think people talk behind my back. I think they don’t like me. I don’t have any friends in school.”The above statements are all from real life, expressed by my teen clients during coaching sessions. There is a common thread that binds them all. Each statement is negative, disempowering, based on the opinion of themselves. One can sense the underlying theme of “I am not good enough and I don’t think I can do anything about it.” This feeling of “not good enough” is the root cause of unhappiness and frustration. It leads us to believe we are unimportant and worthless. This, in turn, holds us back from truly attaining our highest potential. One needs to be especially cautious of this feeling of self-doubt lingering in teenagers.
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Great Ideas for Throwing a Spooky Halloween Party for Kids
Halloween is fast approaching, that time once again when children of all ages and the not so young dress as all things spooky, scary and ghoulish. Cursed to walk the earth or at least their local neighbourhood not so much in search of blood and souls but rather sweets and treats. Welcome to trick or treating a tradition that is popular in North America, parts of Europe and more recently in Hong Kong. So how can you make the most of this and the accompanying blood chilling parties, that children and adults enjoy so much? Luckily for you we've done the research to provide you with all the top ideas and resources to make your Halloween party or gathering memorably spooky and fun so that everyone will enjoy and feel suitably terrified. Waw ha ha!!!
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How to be a “Lazy” Parent
As they say, children don’t come up with instruction manuals. And what that means is we parents end up spending energy on musing, ‘Am I doing enough?’ This thought becomes even more accentuated when both the parents are working. In the process of getting rid of the guilt, we end up doing more for the child that is required. This, in the process, becomes counterproductive, and the child ends up being labelled by the society as an overprotected spoiled brat. And again, the parents take the brunt. So, after spending energy on worrying about not becoming a good parent, we end up being judged as so. Where to go … what to do?!
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The Best Music Classes for Kids and Teens in Hong Kong
We know how tricky it can be to choose the right school or tutor that provides the highest quality music education for their students, especially when you're a parent who works through your daily routine. That's why we've taken the time to handpick a selection of the most reputable music schools and independent music classes in Hong Kong.
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Does Your Child Procrastinate?
The primary school that my girls went to did not have much workload in terms of homework. Whatever they had was easily manageable with all the other activities they were involved in. The only time management they needed was to learn to be on time at various places. Things changed dramatically when they entered secondary school.
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All You Need for a Child's Birthday Party to Succeed
If the thought of throwing a child's birthday party makes you break out in a cold sweat, do not worry! There are plenty of ways to celebrate a birthday in our vibrant city. From themed birthday parties, best bakeries, stylish party supplies & decorations to face painting sessions, these are the coolest ways to make the birthday bash an unqualified success.
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Does Your Child Procrastinate?
The primary school that my girls went to did not have much workload in terms of homework. Whatever they had was easily manageable with all the other activities they were involved in. The only time management they needed was to learn to be on time at various places. Things changed dramatically when they entered secondary school.
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Three Steps to becoming a "Listening" Parent
Most teenagers feel that not only their parents but adults, in general, do not listen to them. Being a Coach for teenagers gives me numerous opportunities to hear their side of the story. When asked to further elaborate on why they feel so, this is what some of them have said:
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Public Speaking? Nah… Just Tell a Story!
I dedicate this article to my favourite age group – the youth of today. Much has been said and written about this topic and yet it remains an enigma to most of us when it really shouldn’t be. It should be as easy as it is for a 4-year-old to tell a story.Recently I was invited to mentor a group of kids to improve their public speaking skills. These kids were going to present their project to a group of judges and the best idea was to win an award to fund their idea. I first asked them to tell me about their project. As they told me about why they chose the project, the passion, enthusiasm, and energy in their gestures and body language was apparent. Then I asked them to present their idea to me as they would to the judges.
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10 Ultimate Things to Do with Kids in the Run-up to Christmas
It’s officially December and Christmas creeps up ever closer. It means you are now most probably getting excited about family holiday activities over the festive period. Whether you opt for a Christmas performance, family brunch in a restaurant or atmospheric Christmas markets, here is our selection of fun and festive ideas for what to do with kids in Hong Kong during December.
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Is Your Child a Smartphone Addict?
I often hear mums concerned about the amount of time children spend on their phones playing games, and in the process not only do they lose track of the time, but it's also hard to pull them away from the game. Whilst it is true for the mobile devices in general, in this article I will focus on the gaming part of the devices. I will give a glimpse of what goes on in the mind of a video gamer and why it’s challenging to pull them away from the game or indeed, pulling themselves away. I will also give tips on what can potentially be done.
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Are You Burning Bridges With Your Child?
“My 13-year-old daughter is just so unenthusiastic and passive for just about everything. I have to constantly remind her of small things like putting her shoes away to packing her bags. She is intelligent, but she needs to be reminded to do her homework and prepare for her assessments. When she does it, she does it well…but my pain is the reminders. I feel like a broken record player…you know one that keeps playing the same track again and again!! Arghhh!!! Other children her age are so active and self-motivated”, ranted my client. Fatigue and frustration were apparent in her voice, face and body language.This is a story of not just one parent but of so many of us. As a Mom and Teen Coach, I have had the privilege of listening to both sides of the story on the same issues.
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Ten Brilliant Things to Do with Kids on a Rainy Day
If the weather turns grey and the torrential rainstorm has poured water on your plans, it is very easy for your mind to go completely blank. Are you still on the hunt for the perfect boredom-busting activities for children? Chin up! You are in safe hands now: luckily, TickiKids are experts at presenting a “Plan B”, revealing plenty of brilliant things to do with kids on a rainy day. We’ve put together ten of our favourite video tutorials. This lifesaver will be of interest to all parents who want to have some fun family time in a comfort of their homes, using easily available materials.
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The best and most idyllic beaches in Hong Kong for the whole family
What is a dream holiday without the sea? Thousands of sun worshippers, beach lovers and children flock to Hong Kong's family-friendly seashores in August and September to soak up the sunshine and enjoy the last remnants of summer. Whether you are planning a family leisurely weekend or a city escape, discover TickiKids’ round-up of the best government-maintained beaches in Hong Kong for a great day out.
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Public Speaking? Nah… Just Tell a Story!
I dedicate this article to my favourite age group – the youth of today. Much has been said and written about this topic and yet it remains an enigma to most of us when it really shouldn’t be. It should be as easy as it is for a 4-year-old to tell a story.Recently I was invited to mentor a group of kids to improve their public speaking skills. These kids were going to present their project to a group of judges and the best idea was to win an award to fund their idea. I first asked them to tell me about their project. As they told me about why they chose the project, the passion, enthusiasm, and energy in their gestures and body language was apparent. Then I asked them to present their idea to me as they would to the judges.
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Tabby McTat: TickiKids review
ABA Productions, an international theatre production company and the host of KidsFest, is about to unveil its “Dear Zoo” show to the world in Hong Kong. During the wait for this keenly anticipated event, TickiKids has taken a closer look at "Tabby McTat", the sold-out show produced by the same production group.
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Hong Kong Forest Adventures: Test Patrol Visit
Hong Kong Forest Adventures offers families an incredible experience of immersing into free unstructured play in natural surroundings. Education and child personal development shouldn’t always be a teacher lead activity, because there’s no one else who knows and feels your children needs better, than kids themselves. Away from strict curriculum, from competitive approach to learning and from sticking to a boring schedule!Our Test Patrol mom, Carley Chan, who is also a prolific blogger and an expert in kids’ events, visited one of the workshops with her family. Her personal acquaintance with Forest Adventures's approach to learning proves, that it’s a must-try for every Hong Kong kid!
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Midsummer Night's Dream: Professional English Drama Performed by Children
Meet TickiKids' incredible partner and friend - Loretta Lam and her helpful blog 童你去玩 Go Go Go With Him! Awesome blogger, talanted author and mother of two kids, Loretta creates great videos and writes about popular places she's visited with her kids. This time Loretta shared her new family experience of visiting Midsummer Night's Dream by Faust International Youth Theater.
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Chinese New Year 2018 in Hong Kong: CNY Family Guide
Hong Kong is getting ready for its most vibrant and spectacular festival: Chinese New Year celebration. In order for you and your loved ones to have the best experience of the colurful festivity Tickikids has picked a must-do list for families. You will definitely enjoy 2018 Spring Festival!
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Guide to Must-See Hong Kong Christmas Events for Kids
There is nothing more heart-warming than sharing the wonder and joy of Christmas with your little ones! The festive vibe and anticipation of celebration are on in Hong Kong, and if you haven’t yet planned a family day out to enjoy Christmas fun, here is TickiKids’ guide to the most spectacular family-friendly Christmas events and activities in Hong Kong.
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M.int Academy: All about Music
Andrea and Philippa Wong, talented musicians and founders of M.int Academy, shared with TickiKids the story behind this ambitious project, their view on how the music should be taught so that kids get the most from this amazing opportunity. The sisters also gave some tips for the parents who are on the fence regarding the music classes to make up their minds.
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Introduction to Science with Curiosity
What is the best way of introducing your kids to science? Is there such thing as “too early” when it comes to exploring scientific concepts with your child? TickiKids had a chance to talk to Stuti Sharma, founder of Curiosity, that offers hands-on experiment classes that foster in kids the habit of observing and exploring and teach children how science impacts them in daily lives, but do it in a fun and simple way.
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Top 10 Places to Visit in Hong Kong with Kids
Hong Kong is known for the variety of experiences it has to offer for everyone. It’s a fun city rich in amazing places to spend time with your kids. TickiKids picked the best ones for you, so that you explore Hong Kong with your little ones and get the best moments of your life.
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Inspirem: Professional Music Therapy and Fun Education
Did you know that most of Hong Kong school kids suffer from at least moderate levels of psychological symptomatology associated with their academic studies? Education centre Inspirem comes up with affordable and high quality programs aimed at helping kids reduce their stress and anxiety, at the same time supporting them to be as creative and curious as they can.
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Best Cooking and Baking Classes for Kids in Hong Kong
Baking, cooking and working in the kitchen are not something Hong Kong kids have access to in their everyday lives. Of course, knowing how to cook may be not considered by modern Hong Kong parents as important as being good at math, coding or languages. However, we shouldn’t forget that this skill makes a kid much more independent and can have positive influence on a child’s eating habits. Moreover, learning to cook and bake can be an exciting and enriching experience for your little ones, letting them explore the world of tastes and smells, giving them knowledge in math and science, challenging their problem-solving skills, making them work as a team and, of course, giving them that special pleasure of tasting the fruit of their labour! TickiKids has rounded up the very best baking and cooking classes for kids in Hong Kong.
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Top 5 Mandarin Learning Apps by Mulberry House
Apps can be very handy and interactive for your child’s language learning nowadays. Here are top 5 Mandarin Learning Apps that we would recommend. Let them help your child to advance faster in laughter!