At our recent Principals’ Sharing Session, parents learned how VPP’s trilingual playgroups enhance language skills and promote self-management, ensuring a smooth transition to kindergarten! Parents also had the opportunity to connect with our education experts, exploring the vital role of play in fostering holistic development.

A heartfelt thank you to Ms. Gabriel Li, Principal of Victoria (Kornhill) Nursery and Advisor of Victoria Playpark, along with Ms. Genevieve Best, Director of English Studies at Victoria Educational Organisation, for sharing their invaluable insights with parents!

Stay tuned for our next Principal’s Sharing Session!

Does your child cry if you are away for a short period of time? Separation anxiety is a normal part of young children’s development between the ages of 6 months and 3 years. However, it can be difficult when dropping off your child at a nursery or a new environment.

In an exclusive interview, Ms. Carol Cheung, a registered music therapist from Humansa, shared how music therapy can help in parenting:

1. What is music therapy?
   Music therapy refers to the use of music, including melody, rhythm, lyrics and musical instruments, to achieve therapeutic goals such as easing anxiety and depression.

2. How does music help ease children’s separation anxiety?
   Music can be combined with role-play to help children practise how to say goodbye and welcome their parents back. For example, singing familiar kids’ songs with a known structure and rewritten lyrics (e.g. mummy is going to work/coming home) repeatedly can help children be aware of why parents are leaving and when they will come back. Including words like ‘goodbye’ in the lyrics can also help desensitise the sadness or unpleasantness of departure.

3. How can we use songs at home to empower our children?
   Parents can rewrite the lyrics with positive words (e.g. I am brave) and sing it with their children every day. This can raise their self-confidence and resilience.

(The opinions expressed by the interviewee do not necessarily reflect the views of the organiser.)

VPP parents and students recently participated in a parent-child workshop at the dental clinic, where they received valuable advice from dentists on keeping children’s teeth healthy! There are some frequently asked questions:

1.  At what age should children start visiting the dentist?
   Children should start visiting the dentist as soon as they learn to talk and develop memory. Early visits prevent negative first impressions associated with dental problems.
2.  How should we help children brush their teeth? Should we use toothpaste?
   Let children brush their teeth on their own first, then assist them if needed. Typically, children need help until around age 6. Use fluoride-free toothpaste for young children to avoid accidental swallowing.
3.  Must children’s decayed teeth be removed?
   Generally, cavities are treated with filling materials rather than removing the decayed tooth. Keeping milk teeth is crucial for the proper eruption of permanent teeth.

(The opinions expressed by the interviewee do not necessarily reflect the views of the organiser.)

Ensuring the health of our children’s eyes is crucial, but when should they have their first eye checkup? In today’s digital age, prolonged use of smartphones and tablets could lead to eye strain and other issues. What should we be mindful of when our little ones use digital devices?

Dr. Julie Lok, Specialist in Ophthalmology and Chief Medical Executive of Humansa Eye Centre, shares two essential eye care tips for young children:

1. Conduct early and regular eye examinations:

–         Age 2 to 3: A comprehensive checkup to identify innate eye issues

–         Age 4 to 5: A checkup to detect and assess the risk of squinting, short-sightedness or far-sightedness

–         Starting from Age 6: Regular checkups to monitor changes

2. Use digital devices properly:

–         Use digital devices in well-lit environments with adequate viewing distance (preferably larger screens and longer distances).

–         Limit screen time to no more than 1 hour per day, taking a break every 10 to 15 minutes.

(The opinions expressed by the interviewee do not necessarily reflect the views of the organiser.)

In the digital age, it is important for parents to correctly introduce children to tablet-based learning.

Dr. Sarah Tsui, a specialist in Paediatrics and visiting consultant of Humansa, helps us understand the potential downsides of excessive screen time for children and how it can negatively impact their vision, physical and language development, as well as sleeping quality and concentration. In this video, Dr. Tsui shares the following practical tips:

1. Avoid as much screen time as possible for children aged below 2; while limiting screen time to less than an hour per day and take breaks in between for children aged 2 to 5.
2. Accompany and guide your children in educational tablet activities.
3. Ensure appropriate viewing distance and a good sitting posture.
4. Spend quality family time with children as it is vital for children’s holistic development.

Stay tuned for the EduMakers App launch – with valuable resources and features it offers.

(The opinions expressed by the interviewee do not necessarily reflect the views of the organiser.)