For many students and their parents, the start of the school year also marks the arrival of new schedules, routines, and academic expectations. Whether the fall semester sees your child buying their own lunch for the first time or dealing with the pressures of high school exams, the way that they cope with these transition periods can have a huge impact on their psychological, social, and academic well-being.

But while parents should always keep an eye out for potential adjustment issues, there are stages in the school journey that can present more acute problems. Children advancing to the next stage of their education, such as making the move up from kindergarten, elementary, middle, or high school, are particularly prone to feeling unsettled both at school and at home. Some may even be changing curricula or between international and local schools, both of which can seriously disrupt their personal development.

So What’s New?
Starting at a new school can be difficult. New classmates, teachers, and environments may be problematic for children of all ages, especially if they are naturally more introverted than others. Besides the more obvious hurdles, there are a number of other issues to contend with. Going from being the oldest in a school to the youngest or from being at the top of the class to a more competitive environment can all cause anxiety and affect a child’s emotional welfare.

In many cases, however, differences in routines and expectations lie at the heart of adjustment problems. This is especially the case for younger children, for whom the greatest changes may take the form of new activities and responsibilities. Although it is all a natural part of growing up, the prospect of school assemblies, longer days, stricter rules, or the introduction of activities such as swimming or IT can be daunting.

It may take some time to adapt to new schedules. This was something that Canadian and beijingkids Board Member Victor Wong found when his youngest son Ethan, now 9 years old, started his first year of elementary school. “He had to be more organized and there were lots of new things to do each day, like taking the bus,” Wong says. “Individually, the new duties weren’t too difficult. But when you combine them, it adds up to a lot of adjustment.”

Beyond the restructuring of the daily routine, the expectations placed on children invariably grow as they progress up the school ladder. Wong discovered that moving from the play-orientated focus of kindergarten to a more formal learning environment required some preparation.

“At kindergarten, all Ethan had to do was run around,” he says. “But then he found he had to start taking responsibility for himself. He is a super energetic kid and I literally had to practice sitting down with him!”

For older children, growing expectations can be even more severe. While they too will have to deal with new classmates, teachers, and surroundings, they will also face the increasing academic rigor that unfolds at each stage of education. Preparation for exams and the introduction of a broader range of subjects both have the potential to act as stress triggers.

These worries were amplified for Wong when his eldest son, also called Victor, decided that he wanted to move from an international elementary to a Chinese middle school. The differences in curriculum, teaching style, and – most problematically – language were profound.

“When he started Chinese school, he understood almost nothing,” recalls Wong. “It was the pace, the teaching – everything. We underestimated just how different the system was going to be and the local schools have their own curriculum and styles. But it does work. My son’s doing really well and not only that, he’s happy and adjusted.”

Warning Signs
Although both of Victor’s sons had the determination and flexibility to adapt, many children will struggle regardless of their age or the nature of the changes they undergo. It is inevitable that some will find the transition more difficult, according to Dr. Rob Blinn, a clinical psychologist at Beijing United Family Hospital.

“Whether we’re preschoolers or high schoolers, when human beings are faced with new situations, we have to learn to adapt and some of us do better than others,” he explains. Every child will react differently during transition periods but there are some signals to be aware of. Problems with behavior, mood, and motivation can all emerge from the stress and uncertainty of change.

“The main warning signs are things like isolation, acting out, aggression towards other kids, or more anxious behavior,” says Dr. Blinn. “You may also see developmental regression. So with a younger child, you could find that although they were pretty good with [toilet training], they start to wet their pants once or twice a week.”

Parents with older children may experience more subtle shifts in attitude, such as eye rolling, grumpiness, and irritability. But with age comes the ability to hide problems, so simply looking for these symptoms is not enough. Moreover, drops in achievement or difficulty making friends may not manifest themselves in noticeable ways at home. So although the obvious warning signs can help, their absence does not necessarily mean that everything is going smoothly.

Creating and maintaining a good relationship with teachers is clearly an effective way to spot issues you might not otherwise have been aware of. But actively listening to your child is the key to identifying and solving transitional difficulties, according to Ishbel Bruce, who runs Parent Effectiveness Training (PET) courses in Beijing.

She suggests that while most parents like to think they are there for their kids, it takes a considered approach to creating an environment in which children feel comfortable talking about matters that are really troubling them.

“What I find to not be helpful is asking ‘So how was school today?’ straight after class because you won’t get much of a response,” she warns. “You should try and avoid that type of interrogative question.”

Instead, Bruce recommends allocating some time every day, even if it is only five or ten minutes, to having one-to-one time with your child that is spent on their terms.

“It might be reading a book or maybe older children want to go to a movie, but you give them a devoted period of time,” she suggests. “You may not talk directly about the transition they’re going through but when you speak together about your experiences, there will be door openers.

“The talking process is cathartic, but it can also help you get to the root of a problem. For example, your child may complain that they don’t like their math teacher, but using active listening you may discover that it’s part of a deeper root cause. Maybe they don’t like who they sit next to in class or perhaps they are just not doing particularly well in math.”

Once you identify a specific adjustment problem, there is, unfortunately, no cure-all solution. Each must be treated in a case-specific way and worked through between yourself, your child and, if appropriate, the school. But simply assuring them that everything will be fine is often the worst thing you can do.

“One of the mistakes parents make is that they try and ease the transition too much rather than being honest with their kids,” says Wong. “When my son moved to a local Chinese school, I had to tell him ‘This is going to be really hard!’”

Children First
Of course, sometimes there is not a single specific issue troubling your child, but a more general sense of uncertainty about change. This can be much more intense for families that are new to the country. As well as dealing with the prospect of a new school and classmates, the cultural differences of a foreign city and international education can be disconcerting for some. In these cases, however, it is often the parents’ own difficulty adjusting that is causing friction, according to Dr. Blinn.

“Sometimes parents are so busy adapting themselves that they do not devote as much time to being there for the kids,” he says. “But it’s important for new parents to be present and available in order to help their children through the period of transition. When parents can deal with their own stress and adjustment issues, it puts them in a much better place to be present and help the children settle in. On airlines, they normally tell you to put on your own oxygen mask and make sure the parents are stable first, but in this case, it’s important to go through the transition together.”

This is advice that resonates with Renee Baker, who relocated to Beijing from the US less than six weeks ago with her husband and two daughters, 8-year-old Sophie and 3-year-old Hollis. She is putting off looking for work for at least a year to make sure that the family is settled as the girls start school.

“My priority has to be the children and making sure they’re comfortable,” she says. “If there’s an issue, then it’s important that I hear from them right away so I know whether I need to speak with the teacher or school about it.”

Given how much upheaval Baker faced during the recent relocation, continuity has been particularly important for her family as they prepare for the new semester.

“The big thing we tried to establish here is consistency,” she says. “That can mean keeping expectations the same as back in the US or just trying to find some things that are similar, even if it’s just familiar snack foods or their favorite sandwich. One thing we did back home was have weekly family meetings, so we have now reinstated those as a way to check in, discuss any issues, and talk about what’s going on that week.”

The experts agree that maintaining children’s stability and routine outside school can be the best way to smooth the transition in the classroom.

“Children will need as much of their family life to remain unchanged while they are experiencing a change at school,” says PET trainer Bruce. “Keep up the family routines, the familiar weekend activities, or the favorite bedtime stories and try to keep disruptions to a minimum.”

But there will also be many things that will inevitably be different, so helping children come to terms with these elements of school life is as important as maintaining stability at home. Most schools offer open days or orientation sessions and talking your kids through their daily schedule in advance can help.

Once the school year is underway there is still plenty more you can do outside school hours to help your child adapt. For Wong, focusing on his son’s social life was the key to the successful transition to a local school. Helping Victor socialize with other kids and arranging weekend activities made it easier to fit in during the week.

“Of course there were new challenges with the curriculum and teaching styles,” he explains. “But if you start to make friends, then everything else becomes easier because you have a support network in school.”

So both parents and experts agree that a successful transition is based on the emotional support of parents and peers. Helping your child to adjust is a case of providing continuity where you can and help adapting where you can’t. But it all begins with listening to and understanding your child’s needs. Without this first step, minor adjustment issues may become larger problems as the year unfolds.

Resources

Beijing United Family Hospital
Dr. Rob Blinn provides consultations in English at BJU’s Psychological Health Center, now based at the New Hope Oncology Center. 9-11 Jiangtai Xi Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100015 (5927 7008) ufh.com.cn 朝阳区将台西路9-11号 邮编 100015

Ishbel Bruce
Bruce offers Parent Effectiveness Training (PET) courses and can be contacted at ishbelbruce@yahoo.co.uk or 139 1103 4134.

Creating an Effective Homework Routine
Choose a time and stick to it. Some kids may work better straight after school and others may need a snack or some playtime first. But once you’ve set a time, try not to deviate from it.

Create a single workspace. Find somewhere where your child is comfortable working and establish it as the only place for homework. It should be quiet, free from distractions, and well-stocked with paper and stationery.

Buy a shared calendar. It can be used to signal any disruption to the schedule as well as help your child track their deadlines.

Understand the school’s expectations. Know how much and when homework needs to be produced so you can help your child make a work plan for the week. Spreading the work evenly across the week will help maintain a regular routine.

Be available. You don’t need to peer over your child’s shoulder but let them know that you’re there to help if they need you. If you have any paperwork to get on with, do it nearby to establish a shared quiet time.

Establishing a Healthy Bedtime Routine
As with homework, choose a time and stick to it. A child’s internal body clock responds to routine, so by enforcing a strict bedtime they will begin to feel naturally tired at the allocated time. Try not to stray too far from it on weekends and holidays.

Give them plenty of warning. As bedtime nears, be vocal about how long there is left. Regular reminders such as “10 minutes until bed” or “five minutes until you brush your teeth” will help them mentally prepare for sleep.

Prepare with some quiet time. Turn off any electronic devices an hour before bed and encourage quiet activities like reading or packing their school bag for the next day. Children may also benefit from a bath, which has been shown to relax the body for sleep.

Explain why sleep matters. Poor sleeping patterns can have short- and long-term effects on a child’s memory and development, so it is important that they understand the rationale behind the rules. This is especially the case for teenagers who may not necessarily go to sleep straight after going to bed.

Eat and drink wisely. Sugary foods and caffeinated drinks will disrupt sleep patterns, so make sure you hand out any treats well before bedtime.

This article originally appeared on p52-55 of the beijingkids September 2013 issue. Check out the PDF version online at Issuu.com.
Photos by Lova.

Comics should, by virtue of their name, be funny. So after last week’s look at the best adventure series to emerge in the genre, we complete our top ten with some of the more humorous cartoons from the European comic tradition.

Asterix
A light-hearted introduction to ancient history for generations of children, the Asterix books chart the fortunes of a village of Gauls defending themselves against incessant attacks from the Romans. The genius of René Goscinny’s comics lies in their witty wordplay, much of which could easily have been lost in translation.

 

For some parents, the idea of comic books only conjures images of spandex-wearing, square-chinned heroes employing superpowers in the face of evil. But the literary traditions of the genre – in particular the comic books that emerged in Europe during the middle of the 20th century – stretch far beyond the disposable format of heroes like Superman and Captain America.

As well as being beautifully drawn and dripping with suspense, these comics have provided a window into the social and political contexts of faraway lands and bygone times to generations of children.

Here at beijingkids,we retain fond memories of our own favorite childhood comics. So, we put together a two-part list of our top 10 recommendations. Part one looks at the adventure genre and next week we’ll post our top five comedy comics. Happy reading!

The Adventures of Tintin
Suitable for ages 7+
As journalists, perhaps it was inevitable that we would feel some affinity with Tintin, the sprightly news reporter who travels the world (and the moon) fighting crime and exposing injustice. Along with his pet dog Snowy, the bumbling Professor Calculus, and the foul-tempered but ultimately heroic Captain Haddock, Tintin’s adventures are as much a guide to 20th century history as they are tales of adventure. In The Blue Lotus, Tintin even finds himself in China during the Japanese invasion in an attempt to expose a drug-smuggling ring.

Yoko Tsuno
Suitable for ages 8+
Providing a modern twist on the Franco-Belgian cartoon tradition, Yoko Tsuno is a female Japanese-born electrical engineer with a black belt in martial arts. She may be a role model for girls, but her adventures have captured the imaginations of countless young technology fans as she battles aliens using robots, time travel, and even cryogenics. The more down-to-earth side of the books tackles themes like friendship, loyalty, and honor.

Persepolis
Suitable for teens
Although not strictly an adventure comic, this beautifully crafted Iranian graphic novel certainly deserves a mention in our top 10. Tracing autobiographical tales of childhood during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s, cartoonist Marjane Satrapi paints a vivid picture of life in the wake of the Islamic revolution. But as well as providing parables on the ills of totalitarianism, the striking black-and-white comics are a coming-of-age tale that deals with family pressures, social change, and personal identity.

Spirou
Suitable for ages 8+
Like his Belgian compatriot Tintin, Spirou is also a journalist, though he normally finds himself doing much more adventuring than reporting. Dressed in a distinctive hotel bellboy uniform in his earlier incarnations, Spirou’s keen moral compass leads him into the path of evil captains, mafia bosses, and megalomaniacs. He can usually be found with co-adventurer Fantasio, who provides comic relief and an untamable imagination.

Jo, Zette and Jocko
Suitable for ages 5+
Although the cartoonist Hergé will always be best known for the Tintin series, he also created a wealth of other characters over his 40-year career. The best of the rest has to be the brother-and-sister team of Jo and Zette Legrand, who, along with pet monkey Jocko, take on pirates, cannibals and gangsters as they travel the world with their jet-setting parents. The family’s adventures take the protagonists across Asia, the Americas, and the North Pole – which seems fitting for expat kids.

All of these comics have been translated and published in multiple languages. This includes Chinese in the cases of Tintin and Yoko Tsuno. Click here to consult our Directory of bookstores and libraries in Beijing. Or, try Taobao.

Photos: swanksalot, jorgempf, pittaya, marsupilami92 via Flickr and Wikimedia Commons

I always thought that the flu jab was only for old people. The yearly awareness campaigns in the UK always seemed to feature benevolent elderly types, grinning and proclaiming that the injection saved them from a fatal bout of the sniffles.

So I was a little surprised when I saw the recent call from New Century Women and Children’s Hospital urging parents to get their children vaccinated this winter. Surely it’s best for kids to get ill when they’re young and build immunity for their later years?

Surely not. It seems that large parts of the medical community actually support the administering of the flu vaccine in children over 6 months old.

Now I think about it, it’s rather obvious. Influenza is a virus that changes every year. Being immune to one strand is of little consequence next year (which is why a yearly injection is needed to protect against the virus).

So while you may think that seeing the little ones power through, comforted by the belief that it will only make them stronger, it is actually just causing unnecessary suffering. Or perhaps worse.

Flu is actually a pretty nasty illness. People often say “flu” when they mean “cold” (or as it’s known when I get it – “man flu”) but aside from all the vomiting and fevers, the real thing can be serious for children. It can even lead to a hospital stay and more complicated conditions, including pneumonia and bronchitis.

Moreover, by protecting your kid you’re also preventing one of flu’s most effective spreaders from bringing down everyone else around them. Children’s tendency to poke things, put things in their mouths, and generally disregard one another’s personal space, means that they pass the virus on at warp speed. According to Global Times, more than 40 percent of preschoolers miss some time at school each year because of flu.

So, I will happily admit that I was wrong on this one. A little further digging found the real reason why the UK’s National Health Service didn’t promote the vaccination to kids when I was young: it couldn’t afford to roll it out across the country. Now that it can, it is, and all 2- and 3-year-olds in the UK are being offered the vaccination for free.

A free service does operate with some of the schools here in Beijing, but not all. So if your child isn’t provided with a jab, or is below school age, then the good news is that it’s affordable to choose private (it should cost less than RMB 100 per shot). Contrary to my long-held misconception, it is probably worth getting.

Photo courtesy of C. Thomas Anderson (Flickr)

Expat life is filled with those moments when you realize that something you thought to be universal is actually a mystery to everyone outside your home country. The most recent of these occurred when I brought up the ultimate childhood game of British autumns – Conkers – and was met by blank faces.

For those of you who are still confused, a conker is another name for a chestnut (or technically speaking, the seed of a horse chestnut tree). Given their abundance in Beijing it will not be long before streets and parks are filled with the ammunition required for this classic school ground contest.

At its simplest, the game involves tying a conker to string and trying to break your opponents’ before your own is shattered. But there’s a lot more to it than that.

Preparing for Battle
The key to a winning conker all begins with the selection process. Choose one that is big, round and symmetrical to improve your chances from the start. Once you’ve got one, drill or bore a hole through the center. A neat hole will make it less likely to split when hit, so using a drill for rather than a screwdriver or sharp implement is preferable.

Feed a piece of string (or a shoelace) approximately 25 centimeters in length through the hole. Tie a knot in the end of the string so it doesn’t pull off, leaving the conker hanging at the bottom.

How to Play
The aim of this two-player game is to smash your opponents’ conker or simply knock it from its string.

Players face each other and choose who goes first, a quick game of rock, paper, scissors is my personal choice. Whoever loses must dangle their conker in front of them, completely still, as the victor takes their first shot.

To take your turn, hold the conker in one hand and the string in the other and swing it towards your opponent’s. If you hit it, you get another chance to swing. If you miss it’s time to change turn. Repeat until one conker is broken or knocked from the string.

There are some additional rules to add a bit of further excitement:

Strings – if the two strings become entangled after a shot the first person to shout "strings" takes the next swing.

Tips – If a player only brushes the edge of their opponent’s conker, they must shout "hit" before the defending player can shout "miss". The first to call takes the next turn.

Stampsies – A potentially controversial one here. If a conker flies from its string the other player can shout "stampsies" and legitimately crush it underfoot.

How to Score
Points are attributed to the conker not the player. So one that has achieved a single win is called a "one-er", two wins makes it a "two-er" and so on. But conkers can accumulate more points by destroying more experienced opponents.

So if a two-er beats a five-er it will become an eight-er by taking a point for the victory and stealing the additional five points.

The higher the conker’s score the greater its value. It may be exchanged for sweets or other playground currencies.

How to Win
The ethics of hardening conkers has been (and will remain) the subject of endless classroom debate. Now, I would never condone cheating but in my school it was considered “fair-game” to employ one of the following methods to improve your chances.

If your child’s friends are turning up to school with modified super-conkers then here are some ways to avoid a swift defeat, though the Campaign for Real Conkers (a genuine action group) may have something to say about these.

• Cover your conker a coat of clear nail varnish to harden the outer shell.
• Briefly bake your conker (or leave it on a radiator), as this is believed to make it stronger.
• Leave the conker in vinegar for a couple of minutes.
• Upon finding your first of the season say "Oddly oddly onker my first conker" and you will be blessed with good luck. Apparently.

But for those among you with a long-term game, the best (and most legitimate) method is to collect next year’s conkers today. Store them in a cool, dry place and by next autumn you could have a world-beater on your hands. Some will go moldy inside so play the numbers game – hold on to 20 and you should have at least one winner for next season.

Happy conker-ing!

Photos courtesy of David Davies (Flickr) and Kiteman (instructables)

The following article was written by Elva Li, the deputy managing editor of JingKids (beijingkids’ Chinese-language sister magazine). She and former beijingkids staff writer Oscar Holland recently had a chance to sit down with Chinese sports hero Yao Ming at the opening of his eponymous basketball school in Wukesong – the NBA Yao School.

When writing these interview questions, I fixated on a picture of Yao Ming and wondered about the defining moment of his life. Was it when he joined the Chinese national basketball team at age 18, was voted FIBA Asia Championship MVP at age 21, served as the flag bearer at the Olympic opening ceremony at age 24, or bought the Shanghai Sharks – his first club team – at age 29?

It wasn’t until I met Yao Ming at the MasterCard Center in Wukesong that I got a hint of an answer. As he stooped down to give his full attention to his younger fans, completely unfazed by the flashes of cameras going off all around him, I realized that becoming a father was perhaps the most significant moment of Yao’s life.

Our interview took place at the opening of his long-awaited NBA Yao School, which offers basketball programs for kids and teens from both the local and expat communities. The core values of the school are teamwork, respect, persistence, a positive attitude, punctuality, and efficiency, he said in a speech to the various media outlets and families in attendance. “We hope that the kids can develop social skills and a strong sense of teamwork, and feel the joy that sports can bring,” he said.

We got a chance to catch up with Yao after the speech and ask him about his aspirations for the school, as well as what it means to be father to 3-year-old Yao Qinlei.

What is the goal of the NBA Yao School?
It’s not about training professionals, but getting kids to enjoy playing basketball and achieve all-round development. We wanted to give this chance to a broader group of students; although China has a population of over 1.3 billion, we only have 1,000 to 2,000 registered basketball players.

In addition, students’ fitness levels have been declining in schools over the past few years, which allows the NBA Yao School to play a complementary role in boosting kids’ physical well-being. I have always held the belief that physical education is an important part of a well-rounded education; it completes education just as art does. Physical education not only promotes fitness, but also cultivates strong will.

What is the school’s educational philosophy?
If an excellent basketball player emerged from my school in the future, I would definitely be proud of them. However, the NBA Yao School is more like a “life school.” We want to cultivate kids with communication skills, a desire to make friends, team spirit, a winning attitude, and leadership qualities. NBA Yao School aims to lay the foundation for the skills that best prepare kids for university and higher education.

What will be your role?
Personally, I will take part in selecting basketball coaches, designing the best courses, promoting and operating the school, and evaluating the kids after they go through the program. But the day-to-day work will be overseen by professionals.

In your speech, you emphasized that kids should make more friends. Why?
Most kids nowadays opt to stay within the small circle of their classmates. I had an additional circle when I was young: the friends I played basketball with. As we grow up, we’re thrust into a world of opportunities. We never know who we’ll run into, but when we meet someone for the first time, we should take an open attitude and talk to them on a human level.

Now, kids tend to adopt this attitude [pretends to play on his phone]. Their communication skills gradually deteriorate. It’s only when people are face-to-face – when they can perceive each other’s body language, expressions, even the slightest muscle movement on another’s face – that they can build a more solid friendship. An iPad or an iPhone can never replace sports in this sense, so we believe that the NBA Yao School will be a great platform for developing communication skills.

Three hundred million people play basketball in this country, yet at the Olympics China didn’t win a game. What needs to change in the way that kids are taught basketball to start translating numbers into success?
We have to change the [reason]why they play basketball. Right now, a lot of people – especially the professionals – play the game not because they like it, but because they have to. Their motivation has to shift into real interest…I can’t say [this is the whole reason], but there needs to be more balance.

What has changed the most since you’ve become a father?
Patience. [When my daughter was born], that was the first time I had to be with a child for such an extended period. We were all kids once, but we gradually grew up and matured, learning to do everything at a fast pace and becoming less patient in the process. But when we talk to a child, we have to regain this patience by reviewing what we ourselves learned as kids and pass it on to them. We come to recall the times we were taught by our own parents and pass on this torch of love.

Tell us a bit about your home life. Do you get to spend much time with your daughter?
My wife has more time with our daughter. [Qinlei] is interested in every toy right now; she is really active and won’t stop moving around – but I don’t mean to say she’s good at sports. [Laughs] She’s just over 3 now, and often speaks Mandarin or Shanghai dialect at home and English at her kindergarten. She’s sometimes lost in her own world, talking to little dolls in English – it’s so funny.

Having lived in the US, can you share with us your opinion on your daughter’s education?
First, I hope to preserve her curiosity; that’s what keeps us engaged when exploring and studying. Secondly, I believe in employing the right learning methods and techniques. I think these two factors will allow her to progress on this exciting but arduous journey.

I also believe that sports promote development. I recently spoke with a professor who studies sports theory at a sports university. He told me about an interesting theory: in the course of human evolution, physical activity contributed to the development of our thinking abilities.

Our primitive ancestors had to run in order to hunt, thus developing a system of logic and contributing to the evolution of human intelligence. When they learned to use tools such as wooden sticks or flint, this opened up another way of thinking, and they evolved, step-by-step, into what we are today. Whether in hunting or farming, these basic forms of sport – and more advanced forms like basketball – make us better and smarter. This actually isn’t a new theory, but it sounds novel because we place so much emphasis on studying.

The old saying goes: “All brawn and no brains.”
Don’t forget, it was lazy people who created escalators and washing machines.

I understand that you attended a basketball summer camp in the US at the age of 17?
I was in France at 17, the US at 18. My English wasn’t very good back then; communication was hard despite there being an interpreter present. I had an innate desire to communicate, whether it was in France, the UK, the US, or Africa.

Did you feel culture shock?
It wasn’t that much of a shock because I was too young to understand at the time. Living in Shanghai also gave me the advantage of having exposure to many foreigners, so I wasn’t that shocked to see more. It was also 2000 when I was 18; society was more open by then.

Do you plan to send your daughter to a local public school or an international school?
I believe it would be a combination. I’d like her to get a solid foundation in Chinese culture and language, then experience a more diverse upbringing.

If your daughter decides to become a basketball player in the future, will you be supportive?
She’s too young right now. But I think she needs to do sports; they’re part of well-balanced education. Team sports teach kids how to communicate, be a leader, stay fit, and also face failure. If she eventually makes the decision [to become a basketball player], I will be behind her the whole way.

In China, Yao Ming is said to have “three highs”: high stature, high IQ, and high EQ (emotional intelligence). After talking to him in person, I found that this wasn’t just a media fabrication. He occasionally flashed one of his signature smiles and revealed an easygoing but thoughtful personality. It was clear that he believed IQ plays a decisive role in how a person does something, while EQ plays a decisive role in whether that person will succeed.

During the interview, Yao told us that the first lesson that he learned after becoming a dad was patience. He also spoke about his mixed feelings about the prospect of his daughter inheriting his career and his concerns for kids in the digital age, emphasized the relationship between sports and education, and told us about his philosophy of being the gateway to emotional intelligence.

He gave eloquent answers to our questions while remaining tactful and measured in his responses. At the same time, he had no trouble exchanging banter with the other reporters. If Yao was a teacher, he would make a good one; he has discerned the important of emotional intelligence in a child’s development, which has often been neglected in modern education. Yao is also the ultimate cool dad. Of all his crowning achievements, his daughter ranks the highest.

To find out more about the NBA Yao School’s basketball programs, visit www.nbayaoschool.com.

Photos: MISHKA FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY, and courtesy of NBA CHINA

This article originally appeared on p44-47 of the beijingkids April 2014 issue. Check out the PDF version online at Issuu.com

Darren Moore is, by his own admission, allergic to everything. Nicknamed “the snake” at school for his continuously dry and peeling skin, the Canadian native’s problems only worsened when he moved to China 17 years ago.

His self-made solution sits on the desk before him – a brown, odorless bar of soap adorned with teeth marks. Moore took a bite of his own product during an appearance on CCTV 4 to prove that it was 100 percent natural.

“It’s all edible – these ingredients have been around for thousands of years,” he explains, though he rebuffs a challenge to repeat the act. “It didn’t taste that great. I wouldn’t do it again.”

Moore is bright, passionate, and – as one might expect of a man who eats soap on national television – unashamedly
eccentric. He speaks at a blistering pace between sharp
intakes of breath, sometimes inadvertently merging two words into a single new one, such is his urgency to share what he has learned making organic body products over the past 13 years.

After struggling to allay his ongoing skin problems, Moore began experimenting with his own homemade remedies. He soon vowed to make a complete lifestyle change, cutting out all synthetic ingredients – in food, body products, and wherever else he could.

From humble beginnings in the kitchen of his former apartment in downtown Beijing, the 49-year-old’s company, Organic Earth, now has retail stores in Xizhimen and Chaoyang’s Joy City mall. It also supplies hotels, spas, and private customers with its all-natural products. Soap makes up just 10 percent of output, with facial creams for wrinkles and a purported “pollution barrier” cream among the more popular offerings.

The company now inhabits a sizeable production plant in Tongzhou District, where a team of Chinese employees hand-make, cut, and package Organic Earth’s wares. A cold storage room packed with essential oils and waxes contains – amongst countless other organic ingredients – clays from France, Bulgarian rose, and Ghanaian cocoa butter. Moore claims that every component of his body products is “active” and carefully selected for its therapeutic functions.

He has seemingly tapped into a growing trend. Over the last decade, Chinese consumers have become increasingly swayed by the perceived benefits of organic produce. Increases in disposable income and rising concerns over food and product safety have contributed to a surging market for chemical-free goods of all types.

Between 2003 and 2008, the value of China’s organic production increased from just over RMB 2 billion to approximately RMB 16 billion, according to a report by the International Trade Centre. Although the vast majority of this manifests as food sales, the shift has been reflected in the cosmetics market, according to Moore.

“When we started, people didn’t know what these were,” he says, motioning to the tooth-dented soap. “They thought they were moon cakes. But in the last seven or eight years there’s been a movement. In the early days we were 90 percent export but now we’re about 80 percent domestic.”

Organic Earth’s customer base is almost entirely Chinese and sees surprisingly little interest from Beijing’s expat population. Many foreigners still rely on familiar western brands, but this may be no guarantee of quality. Moore’s charge sheet against the industry’s major players is long and damning.

He cites the use of animal fats, chemicals, and heating processes that (although lowering production costs) reduce the efficacy of natural ingredients. In addition to this corner-cutting, he also accuses larger producers of misrepresenting the products they sell. Supposed essential oils are often adulterated and extracted (making them not essential oils by definition) and, he alleges, well-known brands claim to be made from French products when they in fact share one of Organic Earth’s Bulgarian suppliers.

“These companies are playing games with your health. They’ve taken away the right of the consumer to know what they are putting in or on their bodies,” he says. “Customers are starting to question their claims.”

Such allegations could be dismissed as the agenda of a businessman with a vested interest in putting people off mainstream brands. Indeed, being all-natural is no guarantee of quality or effectiveness either. But there is a growing body of evidence showing the damaging, even carcinogenic, effects of the chemicals used in body products.

Analysis of almost 80,000 cosmetic ingredients by the non-profit research organization, Environmental Working Group, found that 80 percent of personal care products were made from ingredients that commonly contain hazardous impurities, and one in five contained a chemical linked to cancer. The organization is US-based, and the chances of dangerous contents may be even higher in a country like China due to comparatively low levels of product regulation and testing.

While the research group’s methodology has come under attack from industry representatives (who also claim that low dosages of these chemicals can cause no harm), a lack of conclusive information on the long-term effects makes consumers’ position difficult. Even the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, one of the leading voices on body product safety, falls short of explicitly saying cosmetics directly cause health damage.

The problem, it claims, is that even at low doses, “most people are being exposed to scores of hazardous chemicals every day, from personal care products and many other sources.” Synthetic ingredients used to add scent to soaps, creams, and shampoos are also some of the most common aggravators of skin and respiratory allergies, it suggests.

But beyond the harm these products may cause our bodies, damage to the environment is a factor that few consumers take into account. Some of the most common chemicals found in cosmetics have been shown to be detrimental to fish, algae, and other wildlife in the streams and rivers where our washing water ends up. Contaminants in body products can also affect soil, not to mention the well-documented problems of our over-reliance on plastic bottles and packaging.

The environmental impact of production is something that Organic Earth takes as seriously as the contents of its products. As well as remaining chemical-free, the production plant “recycles everything” and only uses glass or aluminum packaging (save for a single product containing alcohol, which must be distributed in plastic for safety reasons).

Moore pulls out a lip balm that took over five years to perfect, though it sells poorly due to the fact it comes in an aluminum tub. To package the balm in the more popular stick form would require the use of plastic, a matter on which he refuses to compromise.

“I’m not a great businessman,” he muses. “I could be, but I choose not to be. Whether people buy from me or someone else – it doesn’t matter. I just want people to think about what they’re putting on their bodies. This is not a marketing thing; we do it because we believe in it.”

Given that Moore tests all of his products on his family, has a private organic farm, and seems contented with a self-professed “cabin lifestyle” in his quiet corner of Tongzhou, it would take a hardy cynic to doubt his sincerity.

Only Skin Deep?
Here are five of the so-called “dirty dozen” – potentially harmful chemicals regularly used in cosmetic products. For a more complete list of chemicals to watch out for, see the links in the resources box. The evidence surrounding their correlation to health problems may not always be conclusive but there are real concerns about their use. Many are also linked to the contamination of wildlife and the environment.

While being aware of them is a good start, looking at the ingredient list is not always enough. Legal loopholes often mean that manufacturers do not need to list these chemicals. If you are worried about what may be in products that you and your family use, consult one of the cosmetics databases also featured in the resources box.

1, 4-dioxane
This carcinogen may be found in over 20 percent of cosmetics featured in the Skin Deep database. Commonly used in products with lathery suds, the chemical is linked to cancer and organ toxicity, and is now banned in cosmetics in European Union and other countries.

What may appear on the label: Sodium laureth sulfate, PEG compounds, chemicals that include the clauses xynol, ceteareth and oleth.

Coal Tars
Experimental studies of these petroleum derivatives, found in dyes and other hair products, link them to skin cancer. The chemical mixture may also cause neurological damage, as well as being harmful to aquatic life.

What may appear on the label: Tar, coal, carbo-cort, coal tar solution, coal tar solution USP, crude coal tar, estar, impervotar, KC 261, lavatar, picis carbonis, naphtha, high solvent naphtha, naphtha distillate, benzin B70, petroleum benzin [3,4].

DEA
DEA (diethanolamine) and its related compounds are used to create suds and give cosmetics a creamy texture.  As well as being shown to be hepatocarcinogenic (causing liver cancer) in female mice, men should also be particularly concerned. Studies have shown DEA to affect the structure of sperm cells, as well as their ability to swim and fertilize eggs.

What may appear on the label: Triethanolamine, DEA, TEA, diethanolamine, cocamide DEA, cocamide MEA, DEA-cetyl phosphate, DEA oleth-3 phosphate, lauramide DEA, oleamide DEA, linoleamide MEA, myristamide DEA, stearamide MEA, TEA-lauryl sulfate.

Formaldehyde
(and Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives)
Often used in baby shampoo and a variety of other cosmetics, this potential skin irritant may not feature on the label as it is often released by other ingredients after packaging. Although studies into the links between formaldehyde and cancer have focused on inhalation rather than skin contact, it is a known carcinogen.

What may appear on the label: Quaternium-15,  imidazolidinyl urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bromopol).

Parabens
Commonly used in shampoos, scrubs, and other more watery cleansing products, parabens are responsible for hormone disruption and have been linked with breast cancer in a variety of studies. They do appear naturally in some foods such as barley, though there are fears that by entering through the skin, parabens will bypass the metabolic system and cause harm.

What may appear on the label: Ethylparaben, butylparaben,
methylparaben, propylparaben, ingredients ending in –paraben.

Source: Campaign for Safe Cosmetics/David Suzuki Foundation

Organic Earth
Organic Earth sells a range of organic and 100 percent natural cosmetics and body products from its two Beijing stores. www.organicearth.cn (Chinese-only)

1)Daily 10am-10pm, 2/F, CapitaRetail Mall, Xizhimen (5830 2859) 西直门嘉茂购物中心2层; 2)     Daily 10am-10pm, B1-30 Joy City, 101, Chaoyang North Road (8551 1388) 朝阳北路101号朝阳大悦城B1-30

Many of the stores’ products do not come with English labels, so for more information in English, email info@organicearth.cn.

Skin Deep Database (www.ewg.org/skindeep)
The world’s largest searchable database of cosmetic contents, the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database allows consumers to see which products contain harmful chemicals. Although it is US-based, many of the brands appearing in the database are global and have products available in China.

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (www.safecosmetics.org)
Home of the global campaign to draw awareness to the use of chemicals in cosmetics and body products, the group’s website features a wealth of research papers and regulatory information.

Photos by Mitchell Pe Masilun

This article originally appeared on p62-65 of the beijingkids March 2014 issue.

Check out the PDF version online at Issuu.com
 

Green Curry Chicken
Reviewed in: Sanlitun
The color of green curry comes from fresh basil and green chilies. Blue Frog’s generous version features tender chicken chunks with a light kick. The lunchtime deal includes rice, salad, and a soft drink for RMB 65.

Teriyaki Chicken Salad
Reviewed in: Sanlitun
Gung Ho’s Teriyaki Chicken Salad (RMB 46) features a sherry honey vinaigrette made with teriyaki sauce that balances the dish’s sweet and savory flavors. A bed of romaine lettuce, watermelon radish, cherry tomatoes, poppy seeds, and walnuts make this a great choice for spring.

Asparagus Risotto
Reviewed in: Sanlitun
Now in its 15th year in Beijing, Annie’s longevity comes down to its consistently reliable selection of Italian classics. Pastas and pizzas may dominate the menu, but be sure to try the risotto dishes, which include this delicious asparagus and parmesan option (RMB 48).

Pea Soup with Carrot Foam
Reviewed in: Sanlitun
Who says you can’t have fun with your food? Served as part of Migas’ set lunch menu (RMB 95), setting up this dish is a two-step process. First, the server sets down a bowl of thick pea soup; then, they tip a tumbler of carrot foam into the mix. Your job is to stir and enjoy.

Dishes tried-and-tested by Clemence Jiang, Sijia Chen, Nimo Wanjau and Oscar Holland. Want to take a bite for yourself? See Directories for restaurant listings. Got a suggestion? Send us a photo and description to editor@beijing-kids.com.

This article originally appeared on p27 of the beijingkids March 2014 issue.

Check out the PDF version online at Issuu.com
 

The dust – or powder – may have settled from the infant milk scandal that rocked China in 2008, but many parents remain concerned about whether the formula they feed their babies is safe. The incident, in which six children died and a further 300,000 experienced adverse effects from the presence of the chemical melamine, led to a raft of tough new measures for formula manufacturers.

In December, the China Food and Drug administration announced a new licensing system in which milk powder producers will need to meet safety standards for the quality of its ingredients and production processes. Companies have until May 2014 to apply, after which the regulatory body will publish a list of producers approved for sale.

But it remains frustratingly difficult for parents to know whether Chinese brands are safe. Imported products now make up almost 80 percent of the market in major Chinese cities. Given these uncertainties, many Beijing doctors now only recommend importing formula from other countries.

But even then, how can parents choose between the countless options available? There might not be as much to the decision as you think. Claims of being “closer to breast milk,” “more complete,” and other assertions of quality should be treated with cynicism. If the formula you are using comes from a country with tight regulations such as those within the European Union, there will be very little difference in their nutritional value.

There are some variations, including whether the formula is cow milk- or soy-based, but the core ingredients are closely controlled, leaving little room for manufacturers to justify their claims of superiority. Choosing between these products may simply come down to your infant’s preferences, especially in cases where they are allergic to cow’s milk or lactose intolerant. In these instances there may have to be an element of trial and error in finding a brand that is most suitable
for your child.

Specialist formulas with various purported benefits are available. But an overview of research by UK consumer watchdog Which? found that these supplementary formulas, which claim to alleviate problems such as poor sleep, excessive crying (colic), or reflux, have no strong supporting evidence for their use and were deemed unnecessary.

Breast Is Best
But before worrying about how to find a suitable brand of milk formula, a more fundamental question needs to be asked: Is breastfeeding still an option?

Most of the medical profession agrees that breast milk is preferable and the World Health Organization (WHO) explicitly favors breastfeeding,
which it “actively promotes… as the best source of nourishment for infants and young children.”

There are a number of compelling reasons for this, according to a pediatrician at New Century Women’s and Children’s Hospital,
Dr. Xiaohui Li.

“Breast milk has rich unsaturated fatty acid and lactose, [which aid]infants’ digestion,” she says. “In addition, the ratio of calcium to phosphorus is two to one, making it easier for the absorption of calcium.”

Breast milk also contains antibodies that can help protect from illness and reduce the likelihood of eczema, obesity, and diabetes later in life. The WHO cites further health benefits for the mother, which Dr. Li supports, saying that breastfeeding can help the mother’s uterus recover from childbirth and decreases chances of breast cancer.

But according to UNICEF, only 28 percent of infants below 6 months of age in China are exclusively breastfed, compared with the global average of about 40 percent. While there will always be legitimate reasons why some mothers are unable to breastfeed such as a naturally low milk supply, serious illnesses, or the use of certain medications, these instances are rare. The discrepancy suggests that there are cultural factors at play.

Embarrassment or stigma around breastfeeding in public and unsympathetic working environments may contribute to these figures, but many of these deterrents can be overcome, according to Ivy Makelin, a leader at the Beijing branch of the non-profit group, La Leche League (LLL).

Her organization provides information, support, and encouragement to mothers who have difficulty breastfeeding. Pain, difficulty latching on, and concerns about milk supply are the most common concerns among new mothers. But Makelin says that LLL’s methods help a range of mothers, including those moving from mixed feeding (a combination of breast and formula milk) to exclusively breastfeeding.

“With proper help, at least 95 to 99 percent of women can breastfeed successfully,” she says. “I really believe that every mom wants the best for her baby, and if every mom in the world could know the truth about the risks of formula feeding…almost nobody would willingly feed [it]to their baby.”

People’s motivation to work past conquerable difficulties may be lessened by the formula industry’s marketing strategies. Makelin accuses producers of “more and more rampant” marketing and claims that they regularly breach laws against the promotion of breast milk substitutes. She charges formula companies with paying doctors to promote their brands, influencing moms-to-be through pregnancy courses, and presenting formula as being as nutritious as breast milk despite only containing a fraction of the nutrients.

Even those with genuine difficulties producing enough milk can still find ways to avoid formula. One such mom, Marie Hamilton, was initially unable to produce enough breast milk for her first daughter because doctors believed that her body was withholding large amounts of a milk-producing protein called prolactin to protect her body against a benign brain tumor. She was living in the US at the time and was able to find milk donors. But when she became pregnant six months after relocating to Beijing, Hamilton feared the situation might be more challenging.

“I put an online ad in a parenting group I’m a member of seeking out donor milk. Within a few days, I’d already had several moms responding stating they’d love to be ongoing milk donors for our baby. I could barely believe that I was able to secure donor milk ahead of time in China.”

But even though she was then able to breastfeed (thanks in part to the removal of her brain tumor), Hamilton’s second daughter’s weight fell dramatically. The lactation expert at the hospital observed good latch but was unable to ascertain the source of the problem.

Hamilton once again turned to donors while she struggled to find a solution. Her story was even publicized on social media site Weibo, a move that solicited donations from as far afield as Shanghai.

Despite a Beijing doctor initially dismissing the possibility of her daughter being tongue-tied (a condition in which thickened membrane connecting the tongue to the underside of the mouth prevents effective nursing), a chance discovery at a breastfeeding conference revealed that this was indeed the problem. Minor surgery rectified the problem and within minutes of the procedure she experienced pain-free nursing
for the first time.

“While there is a purpose for formula, I believe wholeheartedly that the risks of obtaining and using donor milk far outweigh [those]of short-term formula use,” she says. “One significant lesson I’ve learned from my experience is that breastfeeding is about more than just the milk. It’s about an attachment between a mother and her child.”

* The names of some featured in this article have been changed to protect their privacy.

New Century Women’s and Children’s Hospital (NCWCH) 北京新世纪妇儿医院
Children’s healthcare specialist Dr. Xiaohui Li specializes in immunization, growth monitoring and assessment. She offers consultations in Chinese, with English- and Japanese-speaking doctors also available at New Century. As well as pediatrics, the hospital offers gynecology, obstetrics, and urgent care services for women, children, and teens up to 18 years of age.

Daily 24hrs. 51 Wangjing Beilu (Wanghu Park south gate), Chaoyang District (5178 3366) www.ncich.com.cn 朝阳区朝阳区望京北路51号院（望湖公园东门南）

La Leche League (LLL)
La Leche League is a non-profit organization that promotes breastfeeding through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education. Monthly meetings are open to all interested in breastfeeding (including nursing babies) and take place in a variety of locations across the city. For more information, contact Serena at xiaohua68847@gmail.com or visit www.llli.org/beijing.html.

Photos: Courtesy of LLL

This article originally appeared on p22-23 of the beijingkids March 2014 issue.

Check out the PDF version online at Issuu.com