Events

The summer break is drawing to a close, but while you’ve been away on holiday the team at beijingkids has been busy giving your favorite magazine an overhaul. We’ve got a brand new cover and a few shiny new tweaks inside. Be prepared to see new sections introduced over the next few issues and old sections revamped. We love it! And hopefully you will too.
 
This August is the pregnancy issue. We got two moms to scour high and low, looking for information to help newcomers and veterans alike navigate the maze of birthing options in Beijing. They found everything you need to know about hospital and natural births. For parents who are struggling to adapt to life with a baby, mom Sonia Cahill spoke with a therapist about postnatal depression and what you can do to spot the signs. If Chinese pregnancy traditions have always baffled you, Kara Chin is here to set things straight.

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All your favorite Disney characters have landed in Beijing and will be performing in “Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales” through the weekend. After finding a magic book in Mickey’s secret attic, Mickey Mouse, Minnie, Donald Duck and Goofy head on a fantastical adventure into the stories of three of Disney’s most beloved heroines: Cinderella, Snow White and Beauty from Beauty and the Beast. The audience has the chance to sing along to classic Disney songs such as Be My Guest and A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes as well as to be involved in the show through helping solve clues.

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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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Stars and Rain Education Institute for Autism, a school and outreach program for autistic children, is holding an ongoing toy drive starting today. All toy donations are welcome, new or used, but playthings for children under 6 are preferred. Toys can be dropped off at The Bookworm. For more information about the drive contact Angela Fan at 15901258016 or angelinchina@gmail.com.

To learn more about Tian Huiping, the school’s founder, and her efforts to educate Chinese parents about how to understand and care for their autistic children, check out CNN’s article on the school.

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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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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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When: Saturday, June 19

Where: The Westin Beijing Chaoyang

Time: Indoor Swimming on the 5/F: 9am - 12pm (the pool is reserved between 9am-noon only)
. Lunch buffet on the 2/F at Seasonal Tastes restaurant: noon-2pm

Price in RMB:
Adult: 250 (beijingkids Club Member: 200)
Child age 3-12: 150 (beijingkids Club Member: 100)
Free for children 3 and under

Advanced tickets required: order via Clarisse at events@beijing-kids.com or 5820 7700 ext. 866. Bookings close tomorrow Friday, June 18

Do your kids need to get out and about this summer? Check out Sports Beijing's fun summer camp options:
 
June 14-18

1. Basketball Summer Camp (NBA)      
   9:00am-5:00pm  
2. Basketball Summer Camp (NCAA)    
   9:00am-12:00pm        
3. Rhythmic Gymnastics Summer Camp (Ages 6.5-8)        3:00pm-4:05pm
4. Rhythmic Gymnastics Summer Camp (Ages 9+)            4:15pm-5:30pm
5. Soccer Summer Camp (Ages 7-9)                                      9:00am-3:00pm
6. Soccer Summer Camp (Ages 10-12)                                 9:00am-3:00pm
7. Taekwondo Summer Camp (Ages 8+)                              10:00am-12:00pm
8. Tennis Summer Camp (Ages 7-9)                                      9:00am-3:00pm
9. Tennis Summer Camp (Ages 10-12)                                  9:00am-3:00pm 

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Summer is finally here and, boy do we have a treat for you and the family! Put on your bathing suits and prepare for some splishin' and splashin'. No need for sunscreen as we'll have the deluxe indoor pool at the Westin all to ourselves. Don't forget to bring your favorite water toys and some floaties for little swimmers. Afterwards, re-energize with the Westin Beijing Chaoyang's Seasonal Tastes lunch buffet.

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 Students all over China will be taking the Gaokao, an intense, three-day college entrance examination, beginning today.  This annual test decides whether high school graduates will secure a spot in a top Chinese university. This year, 80,241 students will take the exam in Beijing, according to the China Daily. To make Gaokao run smoothly, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education is encouraging residents to take public transportation to ensure that students arrive on time for their exam.

Read the full China Daily article here.

To read more about Gaokao, check out this earlier beijingkids post.