Girls of courage, confidence, and character! Scouting has a rich history of aiming to help young girls cultivate each of these values and then some.

If your daughter would like to participate, registration is coming up! The Beijing Girl Scouts Chapter is hosting an info session for their program from 10am-12pm at both the International School of Beijing (ISB) on Aug 24 and Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) on Aug 31.

The Girl Scouts team will also be recruiting leaders for newly forming troops and parents can also volunteer to help out. USA Girl Scouts Overseas (USAGSO) serves girls living overseas and girls attending American or international Schools. All girls with foreign (non-Chinese) passports can join and there are places available for kids from K-12.

USAGSO has been working with communities and volunteers in Beijing to bring outdoor experiences to the many girls attending school here and to help the Girl Scout Promise flourish all over China:

On my best to be

Honest and fair,

Friendly and helpful,

Considerate and caring,

Courageous and strong, and

Responsible for what I say and do,

and to

respect myself and others,

Respect authority,

Use resources wisely,

Make the world a better place, and

Be a sister to every Girl Scout.

USAGSO has been part of the national organization, Girl Scouts of the USA since 1925. There are Girl Scout Chapters across China, in cities including Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Suzhou.

It’s time for G.I.R.L – go-getters, innovators, risk-takers, and leaders. There’s so much positivity and wonder to be had for young girls who participate and plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, forge new friendships, and have fun! What are you waiting for? Get your daughter signed up. For more information on how and where to register please contact Amy Kennedy (beijinggirlscouts@usagso.org, 185 1505 3922).

Photos: Pixabay

It’s time to add a bit more fun and vibrancy to our DIY series. I’ve given you lots of tips and tricks to start making your very own natural homemade products for the family that can also help towards producing less waste in the home, but now its time for some TLC DIY that will put a smile on the little ones’ faces. In this week’s post I have a fun project for you and the kids which can double up as a keepsake and be a practical addition to the home.

I’m being kind and don’t expect you to make your own pottery, but there are plenty of DIY pottery stores in and around Beijing, where for a small fee you can get access to all the materials and machinery that you need to make your own mugs, dishes, pots, and more. You need a flowerpot for this DIY project, and I would encourage you to consider making your own to take home and finish off using my instructions.

What you will need

• 1 medium to large clay flowerpot
• Finger paints in choice of three colors
• 1 small paint brush
• 1 small bag of soil
• 1 -3 packs of flower or herb seeds (if your flower pot is large enough you can plant more than one kind of flower or seed
• Two cute hands or feet!

Instructions          

1. Paint a simple design for the body of the butterfly on the sides of the flowerpot. You can use a swirly design for the antennae and any other added details you would like (including white dots along the back of the butterfly’s body) except for the wings.
2. Using your paintbrush, generously apply the three colors of your choice to the bottom of your child’s feet or the palms of their hands. Paint in sections, using one color at a time, so that you achieve a rainbow effect.
3. Using one foot or hand at a time, make a print on each side of the painted butterfly to achieve a wing-like pattern. You can repeat this process on the other side of the flowerpot.
4. Set aside to dry in a ventilated area or outside.
5. Once it’s dry, get the kids involved in filling the flowerpot with soil and carefully place your chosen plant, flower, or herb seeds at least an inch or two beneath the soil. If you’re using a selection of seeds, leave ample space between each area for growth.
6. Water and watch your family plant, flower, or herb grow!
7. When whatever you have planted begins to sprout, get the kids involved in pruning and watering. If you have planted herbs, when cooking make the kids responsible for cutting off whatever herbs are needed for a family meal, washing and cutting them, and then sprinkling them onto vegetables or meat.

Tip: If making your own flowerpot, you will want to wait at least 24hrs before decorating.

This is a lovely keepsake and will encourage you to start planting your own seeds at home, while cutting back on unnecessary spending at the supermarket if you decide to go with the herb option. Enjoy!

Photos: Pixabay, involver.com

There’s nothing that a good glass of wine can’t be paired with. Just think of your favorite pastime, and now add a glass of your preferred grape to that vision and hey presto, you have the perfect match!

Lately I’ve been delving into my creative side, and trying my hand at a number of new activities that enhance well-being for both the family and myself. However you don’t need to look too far in your search for new ways to express yourself.

I’m no artist, but I do appreciate the therapeutic effects of drawing and painting, and can’t think of a better way to enjoy getting creative than with a glass of red (or white) with others who are also on a quest to bring out their inner Picasso. If this sounds appealing, then the Sip and Paint sessions at Riviera are for you.

Why not go and enjoy a pleasant afternoon in an inviting and inclusive environment, where you can brush up on existing artistic skills, or learn new ones? The Sip and Paint session includes one self-created piece of art, one powerful Human Scented Candle, and free-flow wine for the duration of the class in an intimate group. Wechat: artNadia759 to reserve your place.

Sip and Paint, March 2

Adults. RMB 450. March 2. 2pm-5pm. Beijing Riviera Clubhouse, 1 Xiangjiang Beilu, Chaoyang District (8450 6596) 朝阳区香江北路1号香江乡村俱乐部店

“It is only by drawing often, drawing everything, drawing incessantly, that one fine day you discover, to your surprise, that you have rendered something in its true character.”

Camille Pissarro

Every two weeks, Atelier Sanlitun opens its creative doors to the public for life drawing sessions. Whether a complete novice or seasoned artist, you can go and practice your drawing skills in an inclusive and friendly environment.

Paper, pencils, charcoal, paint and easels are provided and attendees are encouraged to bring along their favorite brushes and drawing books if they prefer. A qualified teacher will lead each activity where you can enjoy the pastime of drawing, and learn new techniques.

Edgar Degas (Pastel)

Drawing and painting can be therapeutic and can help with stress. The arts are a wonderful way to achieve mindfulness by bringing attention to the senses, whether it be through seeing, hearing, or tasting. Drawing can provide a focus for sensory perception and allows you to make time to be present in the moment.

There are special early bird deals until February 22. When you buy 20 lessons you get one for free, and when buying 30 lessons you can get two for free. Deal. RMB 180. Starting from February 18. Mondays (every two weeks). 7.30pm – 9.30pm. No. 68, Xinzhong Street, Dongcheng District

Photos: Courtesy of organizer

My little one has just turned six months old and already I have two WeChat stickers of him seemingly grooving and moving like he’s ready to hit the dance floor. Music is constant in our house as we try to engage our son in song to help support his cognitive and physical development. Music is a powerful tool that is proven to help develop a child’s language skills, mood, and literacy.

Music and Music Instruction can literally help children’s brains develop faster. In 2012 The Brain and Creativity Institute (BCI) carried out a five-year study in partnership with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, to examine the impact of music instruction on children’s social, emotional and cognitive development. Within two years of the study, the results, published in 2016 in the journal of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, provided evidence that the auditory systems of the children involved in the music program were maturing faster than children engaged in other activities, such as soccer, and that this had supported accelerated development of language, reading and communication skills.

In addition to all these cognitive benefits, music is also a driver for the development of good interpersonal skills, not to mention it’s fun! We’ve all heard the expression, that music is food for the soul. Music can be a form of sustenance that promotes well being, supports emotional stability, and can be therapeutic. The benefits really are endless, and that’s why the parent-led Grooves and Moves dance class for toddlers makes the perfect addition to your family’s weekly activities.

The 45-minute classes encourage your little one to follow simple steps and freestyle movement with a dance instructor. Get your toddler grooving and moving to music. Join other parents and toddlers for a class that’s designed specifically to enhance your child’s day in a fun and engaging way. Register using the QR code below.

Let’s Play Day Care Center

Kids, 18 months -3 years. RMB 150. 10m-11am. Tuesdays. 5L Meet hotel, 1 Jianguomenwai Street, Chaoyang District. (155 10408 355/1881 1796 774) 5L满足酒店朝阳区建国门外大街1号.

It never occurred to me to look into the damage that can be caused by simply watching more television than one should or spending too much time using multiple devices. Television has and will most likely continue to be a pastime that transcends all or most generations. The nature of television continues to evolve and adapt to the times in which we live; becoming more interactive by the year and keeping us all up to date with information pertaining to every whim popular culture decides is relevant to our lives, keeping our children entertained and enthralled and of course providing an electronic oasis of escapism for whoever needs or wants it.

Growing up with a little brother with special needs who was obsessed with Scooby Doo is what first brought my attention to a book entitled, Remotely Controlled. My brother was not only obsessed with watching this and other similarly paced cartoons, but it was his behavior during and after these colorful episodes that made me conscious about the harm they could be doing. A lot of my brothers’ obsession with cartoons had every bit to do with the need they met to not only provide entertainment but also function as a source of repetition that a child on the spectrum so craves.

We all have come to learn, of course, that the digital age and its many partners in crime; smartphones, tablets, and laptops – have made addicts of us. If the somewhat well-rounded, educated individual can become addicted to screen time what could be the potential impact on children and the more vulnerable among this group: children with learning challenges. While reading Remotely Controlled, I was provided with succinct answers to why my little brother behaved in certain ways and why many cartoons are produced in such a way that can lead to both short- and long-term effects on a child’s behavior; their interaction with others, their relationship with time, tasks, and language.

The need for constant stimulation, instant gratification, and the inability to handle complex problems that do not have quick solutions are all contributing factors spurred on by too much time with the small screen.

My brother would hurriedly try and repeat every word spoken within a segment of Scooby Doo while mimicking every exaggerated movement the animated pencil strokes made. His actions seemed erratic but it was purely a mirroring of what he was consuming. In turn more controlled and calming activities would go by the wayside and I could tell that his issues with speech and learning were only being exacerbated by his constant consumption of television.

To my surprise and elation (my concerns were given validation) Scooby Doo was actually given a mention and used as a prime example of cartoons that contain multiple jump-cut edits that can be cognitively harmful if watched repeatedly. A jump-cut edit basically results in transitions from scene to scene happening almost simultaneously. Conceptually, time breaks down into smaller, quicker, more instantaneous pockets of action. For example, Scooby and his gang could go from running through a deep forest to taking refuge in a cave within half a second. We miss what it takes to get the group of mystery busters through the forest and into the cave – we miss the journey.

Why is this important? Well, we must all learn patience; we must all learn to apply ourselves to tasks that will often take more than 60 seconds to achieve. We must all learn to enjoy longer-awaited forms of gratification. We must all learn to listen more than one should speak and of course always improve upon a very old art form – communication.  According to analytics company, Nielsen, 2-5-year-olds watch more than 32 hours of television a week, adversely affecting speech, behavior, and brain development. We all have the right to have our health and development prioritized over the mass consumption of something that has been proven to cause severe harm.

New Research at London’s Institute of Psychiatry concludes that attention deficit disorder (ADHD) is a real problem in children and that early exposure to television during critical periods of brain development (adolescence) can be associated with subsequent attentional problems. In Remotely Controlled, Psychologist Dr. Sigmund speaks on the importance of proposing the following when raising young children in the home and there are some extra tips thrown in for families who want to curb screen time!

• Limit television time to no more than an hour a day for 1-5 year-olds
• Make use of other play and past time activities. Replace the tablet with a book, board game, crafts, or a favorite toy
• If the television must have a home in your house, then make it the living area. No television in children’s bedrooms.
• Remove cellphones from children’s bedrooms at night and return them in the morning after breakfast
• Sit down as a family and discuss how you would all like to manage your screen time. Make a plan and stick to it!

The bond between parent and baby during the early months is often at the forefront of moms’ and dads’ minds. Before your baby is even born, parents-to-be are encouraged to start the baby bonding process. We are told to talk to baby in the womb, play classical music to soothe, massage our growing midsections with therapeutic oils, sing to and woo our developing little ones.

These bonding tips only increase when baby arrives and the next phase of bonding must commence. Plenty of skin-to-skin contact, baby massage, co-sleeping, bath-time routines, storytelling – the list goes on. Often the way we are encouraged to bond with our babies runs counter to the advice parents are given to prioritize healthy living. Exercise and diet regimes galore are pushed on every expecting mother, but how to combine this with bonding with your newborn is a growing challenge. Enter baby-friendly yoga classes.

Mother of two Rose Scott has initiated a new opportunity for parents to bond with their baby using movement and exercise. Rose describes herself as a positive and energetic yoga instructor, certified with Yoga Alliance 200RYT. A Beijinger for the past three and a half years, with a son of four and a one-year-old daughter, Scott’s premise for her intimate Mommy and Me yoga classes is to promote bonding between parent and child through physical activity, while encouraging joy and health in movement.

Lots of wonderful mommies in the city have been more than delighted with Rose’s classes, after giving them a go with their babies and little tots. Mom of 11-month-old baby boy Alex, Cecilia says that the Mommy and Me Yoga sessions are the highlights of her Tuesday mornings, “Every Tuesday morning is the most enjoyable time for me and my baby!” The classes, which are open to moms with children of all ages, are the perfect way for moms to enjoy movement with their kids, as well as a host of other benefits, “We can make new friends here, meet mommies from all over the world, share our stories – the little ones can also play with each other, it’s just perfect for full-time mommies!” added Cecilia.

Mom of two-year-old daughter Valerie, Janine also can’t stop singing the praises of the Mommy and Me Yoga sessions, “My daughter Valerie always looks forward to joining the yoga classes – she even practices the yoga exercises at home before we join.” There seems to be a buzz in the air over the chance to join these wellness-focused and interactive yoga sessions. Why not reap the benefits of a decision that will provide continued bonding time between mom and baby and add an element of physical activity to your week?

Downward Dog yourself into bonding time happiness and Child Pose into self-care and wellness for your child. Give Mommy and Me Yoga class a go. RMB 60 per class. Ivy Bilingual School, Sanyuanqiao. Every Tuesday. 9:45am – 10:30am. WeChat: rosier-scott.

Photos: courtesy of Rose Scott

Heartwarming movies during cold months are usually the perfect recipe to keep the winter blues at bay, and there’s no better way to do this and keep the little ones occupied this weekend than with a family movie night!

Beijing International Christian Fellowship (BICF) will play host to Beijing families this Saturday November 10 with a screening of Babe, the much loved movie about a pig who learns to herd sheep. The KidCity team invite parents and kids to join them on this farmyard adventure and learn lessons about friendship and courage. There will also be fun fall games, a bouncy castle, dinner, and seasonal treats.

The team at BICF has been working with parents and families to provide inspiration and a support network for moms with their Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPs) network and programs. These include monthly meetings where moms gather to connect and listen to guest speakers, who touch on family-related subjects such as sharing practical ways to improve family dynamics. During the school year, parents can attend and benefit from the childcare that is provided.

They also offer space to partake in activities and in-depth discussion, where moms can get to grips with shared experiences and be encouraged to make family life more meaningful and fun. The fun aspect of family life is being facilitated with initiatives such as this movie night.

During their December meeting, participating mothers with small businesses will also be given the opportunity to promote what they have on offer, in preparation for the busy festive period. These and other fun-filled, family-oriented happenings will be certain to add some color and variation to the weeks ahead.

For now though, register and head on down to the 21st Century Hotel at 4pm this Saturday with the family for what we’re sure will be an awesome evening of squeals, laughter, and the patter of little trotters. To register and find out more about this and other events contact children@bicf.org.

Photos: Pixabay, courtesy of organizers

Remember the weary day you dragged the kids off that dreaded long-haul flight and tumbled headlong and wide-eyed into the capital of China? Probably all too well. Whether you’ve just arrived or are about to leave Beijing, have fallen in love with the city or are aching for home shores, there is one thing for certain: Living in Beijing is a completely unique experience, one that passes far too quickly, especially for youngsters.

Preserve and celebrate your child’s time in Beijing by using these simple, whimsical memory-keeping ideas. These projects are fast and easy but will be treasured for a lifetime, and all are perfect farewell gifts for friends leaving Beijing.

Visual Journals

This idea is particularly good for older kids. The journal can be used for any subject – travel, a school trip, special experiences and events. If your child is a diary-writer, it could simply be a daily account of Beijing life.

Using a spiral-bound journal, gather together bits and pieces: tickets, postcards, stickers, letters, invitations, photos and other memorabilia. Kids can paste them into the journal and title each page, adding their own drawings, designs and thoughts.

Have your child decorate the front of the journal or wrap it in Chinese wrapping paper, using double-sided tape.

Scrap Book

For younger and older kids alike, this scrapbook idea is also perfect for the family in general. Using a large scrapbook, have your children create a title page – perhaps “Our China Adventure” or “My Life in Beijing” or “A Mandarin Odyssey.” Decorate the exterior or wrap it in Chinese paper.

A scrapbook is really just that: a book for scrapping and storing of memorabilia. Paste in anything and everything that will lie flat, including photos, and don’t be afraid to layer your pages. You can label certain pages if you like or just periodically record the date as you go. Have kids contribute to this book regularly and watch it grow fat with priceless memories.

Friendship Book

Just like a visitor’s book in the doorway of a country manor, this allows kids to revisit their friendships when they return home to ‘real’ life.

Use a small book, title it and have the kids decorate the cover. Have them collect mementos from their friends to paste inside – notes, cards and photos work perfectly. They can also have their friends write messages and autograph the inside.

Another idea is to catalogue friendships by entering friends in the book, bio-style. Add photos, stories of fun times together, drawings, descriptions of friends and a list of their favorite things.

Some ideas for a friend’s bio page:
My friend:
Age:
Nationality:
Favorite color:
Favorite food:
Favorite thing about Beijing:

Window Box

All you need for this 3D project is your memorabilia and a deep picture frame (available at IKEA, or you can have one made at a framer’s shop).

Print off a photo of your child. You can cover the entire background of the frame with their picture, or you can crop it and add your own clip art and text around the photo using decorative paper or even your childís artwork. You can also add clip art to the inside of the glass for a real 3D effect.

Once the background and photo are in place, allow your child to add their own mementos, toys or souvenirs to the front of the picture, layering them for visual interest.

These frames are great because the memento can be changed around. You could do one for each season of the child’s first year in Beijing ñ kicking amber autumn leaves, skating on Houhai, sniffing pink blossoms and running through a water fountain. You could also do several of their favorite Beijing places.

Concertina Cards

These cards are quick and easy and make for great gifts. From a large piece of cardstock (available at markets and art supply stores), cut a long strip at least 12cm wide. Fold into a concertina strip, making a sharp crease along the edges. If desired, you can trim the card into a circle or give it rounded corners.

Kids can put a title on their card and then paste in photos of their favorite Beijing places, things, events, pastimes, friends or even travels. Use colored paper, stickers, red tassels, hongbao and other flat decorations. You can also print off quotes to paste in, or have your child write in it, adding their own personal touch.

Fast Photo Books

Make quick and easy photo books that kids can use as brag books or as an excuse to revisit their memories. They can be photos of school events, travels, parties – the list is endless.

Pile a stack of photos on top of each other and cut two pieces of card to serve as a front and back cover. All photos and card must be exactly the same size. Line up the left-hand edges so they are perfectly aligned and clamp the photos together with bulldog (aka binder) clips. Brush this left-hand edge of the photos with a thick layer of craft glue and allow to dry for at least eight hours. Undo clips and decorate your front cover with a title, stickers and other embellishments.

Memory Picture

Print a large (at least 20x25cm) black-and-white picture of a Beijing street scene – the hutongs in summer, Houhai lake in winter, the Great Wall or your child’s favorite place. You could also print one of your child’s special interests.

Using a color photo of your child, cut out their head and hair neatly. Their face itself should measure at least 4x4cm.

Now think about the ‘body’ you can use for your child. Is your child into sports? Are they a dancer? Do they like to hike? Decide on your theme and scour the Internet for pictures (preferably drawings, artwork or clipart) that you can print off and cut out.

Glue the body and face of your child onto stiff cardboard and cut out carefully. Using double-sided thick foam tape (available at local markets), place your child into their Beijing scene. The tape raises your child up against the black-and-white photograph, giving them a fantastic 3D effect.

Take your finished picture to a framer and have it matted and framed simply. This makes a unique and very special memento of your child for many years to come.

This article was originally posted on beijingkids.com on January 15, 2008