Jessica Rapp

In an environment where eating hot foods in the scorching summertime is considered more healthy than consuming soothing cold meals, you might have trouble convincing your ayi to perform the following:

Grab a bowl and fill it to the brim with sweet, crunchy flakes, colorful fruity shapes, rich chocolately pebbles or any of the other cereal varieties available at your local supermarket. Add some cold milk, grab a spoon and violà, breakfast is served.

With recent research, you can safely explain to your protesting ayi—who might also be concerned with the high sugar content in this day-starter—that this classic Western fare has significant health benefits.

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A new study has found that gaming for extended periods of time can cause children to have trouble concentrating in school. Although researchers have yet to pinpoint the reason why this is the case, the findings could raise a red flag for parents. 

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Beijing Color Studio is inviting young artists to submit their work for Do You Hutong?, a fundraising event hosted by the Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center. All entries should reflect child's interpretation and understanding of China's cultural heritage and protection. There is no age requirement or artistic prerequisite, and all mediums are encouraged.

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Few busy travelers go more than a few days without problems interrupting their itinerary, including harrowing flight delays, upset stomachs, long lines and language barriers. Avoid adding temper tantrums and safety worries to this list by checking out BabyGro’s new items for little ones. From booster seats to blackout blinds, to ride-friendly luggage, BabyGro has the resources on-the-go parents need in familiar, trusted brand names, including Fisher Price. This month, BabyGro has newly stocked baby toys from US brand Sassy and Belgium company Motta.

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New research published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology shows that women who choose home births might put their babies at a higher mortality risk. The study compared women from the US and Europe who had planned home births to those who had planned hospital births and found that twice the amount of babies died in the four weeks after home delivery. They found triple the mortality rate for babies born at home when “they removed those with congenital defects from the calculation,” according to The Guardian. Many of these babies died from a lack of oxygen during or after labor.

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With cheap, cold beer available on nearly every street corner in Beijing, no drinking age and a nightly fuss of World Cup celebrations, some parents, both in Beijing and abroad, might be wondering how to monitor their teens’ drinking habits. A recent New York Times forum shares the attitudes of some kids whose parents chose to not keep them corralled and instead exposed them to alcohol early.

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Just a friendly reminder for those traveling to Shanghai this summer: check out CNReviews for their handy World Expo Kids Guide, Transportation Guide and Food Guide. They frequently update their coverage on the Expo so that you know what to expect, making the prospect of navigating the long lines and busy metros a little less scary.

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Summer break for most Beijing students is just around the corner, which means kids will have to decide how they will spend those hot, sticky days. Some will while them away at the water parks, but others may find that they can’t afford the recreation fee, as their savings are nothing but linty pockets. If parents refrain from simply handing over money, they can teach kids how to manage their finances in a world of economic uncertainties.

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School administrators in the US have adopted a surprising strategy for discouraging bullying and social discomfort among young students: say bye-bye to your bestie. The New York Times reported that many teachers and parents prefer to advocate learning and playing in large groups to foster multiple friendships instead of isolated pairing.

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Get your kickboards, flippers and calendars ready to sign up for weekly summer lessons with the Dragon Fire Swim Team. The team, with more than 300 members, competes in Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong as well as in Beijing. Kids ages 5 and up can take beginner to advanced courses or choose to train for the competitions, and parents can brush up on their stroke skills in the masters course.

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