Navigating parenthood is no easy journey, and every once in a while, we come face to face with situations that we’re not sure how to handle. When it comes to the intricate world of special needs education, every child is a unique puzzle, and every educator is a dedicated explorer seeking the keys to unlock their potential.

Today, we embark on a fascinating journey as we delve into the minds of these remarkable professionals. We’ve received a thought-provoking question from one of our readers, and we’ve asked Dr. Ira Canada, a seasoned special needs educator, for guidance.

Dear Dr. Canada,

I think one of my daughter’s friends from school may have some form of learning disability, but I’m not a professional and don’t have the tools to diagnose him. I’ve asked their teacher about it, and she sticks to her answer of “I don’t know” – partly because she’s also not an expert on this subject and partly because she doesn’t want to be accused of spreading misinformation by any parent. However, in class, the teachers give him extra assistance when it comes to eating and group activities, so I think they’ve noticed that he needs extra help but don’t label it.

Personally, I think it’s best for a kid to get the extra assistance they need as early as possible and for the parents to educate themselves on what type of help their kid will need, and as a friend, I’d like to help if they do need it. But it’s a touchy topic, especially for local Chinese families. In the past, I’ve had kindergarten teachers tell me they’d leave this topic alone on purpose and wait for the child’s parent to realize on their own.

What has your experience been with bringing up the topic of special needs testing for young kids to the parents, and what can I or their teacher help with?

Thanks,
Helpful Mom

Dear Helpful Mom,

As parents, we often involve ourselves in our children’s school activities, whether by attending school events or volunteering in the classroom. This naturally brings us into contact with our child’s peers, and it reminds me of a particular situation I encountered years ago. It was before I became an educator, during a period when I had taken on the role of a stay-at-home dad – fun!

In this role, I volunteered once a week in my youngest child’s kindergarten classroom during center time. It was enlightening to work directly with students and experience a taste of teaching, even if just for an hour each week. During this time, I noticed that one of my son’s classmates appeared to struggle with certain tasks. His verbal language development seemed slightly delayed, and he had particular difficulty using scissors – an activity commonly required during centers.

I shared my observations with the classroom teacher and asked if she had similar concerns regarding his apparent developmental delays. She acknowledged that she had noticed he functioned differently from the other students. Although she expressed concern, she was hesitant to initiate a conversation with the child’s parents due to her limited experience in addressing such issues. After my time as a classroom volunteer ended, I no longer spent time in the classroom, but I often wondered whether that student ever received the support he clearly needed.

Unfortunately, that type of situation occurs far too often. I believe that when teachers lack the training and resources to engage in these conversations with families, it can result in missed opportunities for early intervention. Families rely on educators’ expertise and trust that their child’s best interests are a priority.

Here is my advice for educators encountering a similar scenario:

1. Determine the Child’s Present Level of Performance
Gather data through informal assessments, classroom observations, and work samples. This information is essential when discussing concerns with families, especially if the student appears to exhibit academic or developmental delays. Keep in mind that documented difficulties do not necessarily indicate a disability; rather, they may reflect a different learning style that calls for instructional adjustments. When having this conversation with parents, report the student’s learning strengths and areas of concern. If the student requires additional support, share the level of support that you are currently providing to the student.

2. Monitor the Student’s Response to Intervention (RTI)
All students should have access to tiered supports within a Response to Intervention (RTI) or Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework. These are data-driven models designed to identify and support students with academic and behavioral needs. The model includes:

• Tier 1: High-quality, research-based instruction provided to all students in the general education classroom, along with regular screening.
• Tier 2: Targeted interventions for students who are not responding adequately to Tier 1 supports, typically delivered in small groups.
• Tier 3: Intensive, individualized interventions for students with persistent difficulties; may lead to an evaluation of individualized learning support services.

Progress is closely monitored, and instructional strategies are adjusted based on student response.

3. Consider a Psychoeducational Evaluation
A psychoeducational evaluation consists of a comprehensive battery of assessments that can help identify the root causes of a student’s learning challenges. These evaluations highlight learning strengths and weaknesses and can identify underlying issues such as attention deficits, which often manifest as academic struggles. A thorough evaluation provides valuable insight for both educators and families and helps determine the most appropriate support plan.

As educators, we have a responsibility not only to teach our students but also to empower families with the knowledge and tools they need to advocate for their children. Parents are their child’s first teachers, and it is our duty as professionals to support them in making informed decisions about their child’s education.

Sincerely,
Dr. Ira Canada

Dr. Ira Canada brings a wealth of expertise and experience in the field of education, with a particular focus on learning support and special educational needs. With over two decades of professional experience working with children, families, and schools across the United States, Dr. Canada has honed his skills and knowledge to address the unique needs of individuals with special needs.

He holds a doctorate in education with a specialization in autism, and his passion for this field has driven him to conduct extensive research on increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Canada’s dedication to advancing the understanding of special education and promoting inclusive educational practices has been a central theme throughout his career.

Dr. Canada’s professional journey has encompassed a diverse range of roles, including serving as a special educator, early intervention specialist and behavior specialist. He has had the privilege of leading one of the largest early childhood special education programs in the United States, where he gained invaluable insights into effective strategies for supporting children with diverse learning needs.

Beyond his experiences in the United States, Dr. Canada has also had the opportunity to work internationally, serving as a learning support specialist, principal, and director of student support services in China and Thailand. During his time abroad, he had the honor of acting as a special education advisor to the US Embassy in Beijing and contributing to the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee for the US Consulate General in Chiangmai, Thailand. These experiences enriched his perspective and allowed him to make meaningful contributions to global educational initiatives.

In addition to his professional pursuits, Dr. Canada is a published author of several children’s books, part of a series designed to address crucial topics such as social interactions, bullying, and self-regulation among early childhood students. These books reflect his commitment to empowering young learners with the skills they need to thrive in a diverse and inclusive world.

If you have a specific question you’d like us to find an expert to address, send a private message or email to minayan@beijing-kids.com. #DearReader

Images: Freepik, Dr. Ira Canada

Back to school.

That phrase alone brings about feelings of both excitement, and, if we are to be honest … maybe a little disappointment at the same time. Summer is over, and it’s back to the daily routine. While parents may be jumping for joy, for children, the start of a new year can bring about feelings of anxiety. New classmates? New teachers? Routines? Perhaps even a new school? Oh my!

In the weeks leading up to a new year, I’ve found it helpful to strengthen my mindset. Yes, the ending of just doing what I want and going back to a routine can suck let’s be honest)… But it’s all in how we think about it.
What’s this mindset business about anyway? Simply put, mindset is how we think and feel about our abilities and the world around us. What we think and feel, along with our mindset, shapes our everyday life experiences and our outlook on the future.

It’s kind of like seeing the world through a clean pair of glasses versus a smudgy pair.

A clean lens gives us the ability to see things clearly and view different possibilities in a distance. While the dirty pair distorts what we see, making it difficult to see past the smudge. How we see the world depends on the mindset.

Dr. Carol Dweck, researcher at Stanford University, equates this to having a growth or a fixed mindset. A growth mindset sees struggle as opportunity, while a fixed mindset finds it difficult to work past the struggle. A new year will bring challenges – so how can we foster a growth mindset before the year even begins?

Begin by exploring with your child how amazing our brains really are! It’s all about neuroplasticity, which is just a fancy way of saying our brains get stronger the more we work it! Check out Big Life Journal, which has a four-week guide to teaching your children about neuroplasticity and the growth mindset available – for free!

It’s All About That Process Praise!
Coined by Elizabeth Gunderson’s research, process praise equates success with actions and effort, not results. This differs from person praise, which looks more at abilities as being fixed – your’e either good or bad at something – nothing in between. When we paise the process it impacts motivation, which is essential to a growth mindset.
Instead of saying “you’re so smart,” go a little deeper by adding the effort and strategies your child used. You can say, “Wow, I am impressed with how hard you worked – you did a great job!” Now they see the link between trying and achieving positive results. A major win when it comes to frustrating moments. Take it up a notch and challenge them by asking “What do you think helped you?” This helps them – and you – start to recognize strategies that are helpful, and it also builds their self-regulation skills.

Praise the Struggle
Don’t be stingy with the praise – encourage your child through struggles as well. When used this way, praise becomes almost like a Jedi mind trick! Encouraging your child to act in a way that encourages a repeat performance.

For example, you can say: “I noticed that you took a deep breath when you were frustrated. That kind of practice settles your energy and helps you communicate and focus better.”

When you use praise as an antecedent, the praise comes before the specific behavior and boosts the likelihood of a positive repeat. #winning

Practice Coping Skills
Life is just that: life – with its various ups and downs. It’s inevitable that children will experience an uncomfortable moment here and there. That’s where coping skills come in!

Emotion-focused coping skills are integral when we can not change a situation, enabling us to manage stress levels. Perhaps as a family creates a Raise the Vibe list, where you list various things you can do to boost your mood. Then put your child to work when a situation calls for it. Practice these high vibe techniques now and your child will have a bag of mood-boosting tricks to carry with them back to school.

Make sure to put these skills into practice by integrating coping skills into your family routines. It could be as simple as a collective breathing or stretching exercise to wind down from the day, or going for a walk together when the energy gets a little too high. Modeling these skills together is a form of co-regulation, which is the first step toward your child’s ability to self-regulate.

Boost Those Problem Solving Skills!
A new school year brings challenges; they are inevitable. Equip your child with problem solving coping skills This will require you to be on the hunt for those teachable moments. So how do you do that? If/when you notice your child struggling with something, stop and ask “Do you think you need to change the situation or change how you feel about the situation?” This challenges your child to think critically and assists them with recognizing they have options, which reduces feelings of stress.

Challenge them to make a list of probable ways to tackle the problem, and lists of pros and cons. By doing this you are teaching them problem solving skills they can use in and outside the classroom!

Remember to model this process as well. Children learn by observing. Next time you are facing a problem, share your problem solving process with them. This way they are able to pull from your example.

Nurture That Spark!
Encourage your child to explore those things that make their hearts smile. Remind them that as they fan that spark, their brain grows stronger – making it easier to learn more. Start talking about new ventures they want to explore this year. Is there something you are wanting to try or learn together as a family?

As with anything, building a growth mindset is a process. It’s not about perfection, rather it’s about celebrating the wins and being grateful for the struggles along the way! Happy mindset building!

Images: Pexels

Maybe you’re pregnant and sick of the advice. Maybe your friend across the world is having trouble adjusting and none of the typical books work for her. Maybe after years of being a parent, you still find it difficult to schedule a playdate because that means you also have to talk with the parent(s) of your kid’s friend. Even if you like them, you may not be in the mood to exert the energy. Especially after you move to a new country, or are feeling the brain drain of your translating every aspect of your life, making small talk is just not a social norm that seems necessary. 

I have been all of the above. There are days when I’m thrilled to connect with other parents and others when I just want to stare into space while my kid digs in the sandbox or runs around the big toy in the playground. That’s why Julie Vick’s new book Babies Don’t Make Small Talk (So Why Should I?) struck me as the one parenting book that might renew my faith in the entire genre. 

I’m not exaggerating when I say that once I started reading the book, it was hard to stop. Vick’s “Introvert’s Guide to Surviving Parenthood” reads somewhat like a light-hearted primer, unearthing all those unspoken truths about navigating pregnancy and parenthood. You know how society has taught us that it’s okay for strangers to comment on our weight if we’re pregnant, or that parents should be willing to defend every single choice they’ve ever made regarding their kids to anyone who asks?

Yeah, Vick doesn’t buy into any of that. It isn’t that she was immune to it by any stretch, but her how-to guide is one I honestly could have used when learning how to be a mother via trial by fire. It’s sections like this one about her love of prenatal yoga that nailed my love for this book:

“Can’t hold downward dog for more than a second? No problem – you can take it easy. Break down in tears for some inexplicable reason halfway through? Everyone understands….we would often go around and briefly talk about how we were all doing at the beginning of each class. This sort of forced social sharing with strangers is usually the stuff of nightmares for me, but when I was pregnant it felt like a cheap form of therapy. I think part of the reason why I didn’t mind it is that it wasn’t mindless small talk – we were honestly discussing the highs and lows of pregnancy, a subject we were all pretty invested in. And discussing these things with a group of people I may never see again was somehow relaxing for me.”

Julie Vick

I rarely feel like someone understands me so very well, especially in a topic as personal as parenting, but Vick gets it. Whether she’s explaining how the “birth industrial complex means that a lot of people put a ton of planning into having the baby but significantly less planning into what happens after the baby arrives” or admits that dining where there is a kids’ play area might make you “surprisingly happy because you have french fries,” she gets it. I felt like she got me.

But if you ever meet her, rest assured that Vick won’t expect you to make small talk.

Add this book to your parent friends holiday lists, and I guarantee they’ll call to thank you once they finish laughing at the absurdity of it all.

Babies Don’t Make Small Talk (So Why Should I?) by Julie Vicks is now available on any of these websites. Ebook is available if you don’t want to wait for international shipping. 

Other books that I recommend for unconventional parenting help (because let’s face it, if you’re an expat, you’re already on the road to unconventional parenting):

• Motherwhelmed by Beth Berry rocks if you need to know that your best is good enough. 
• My Body is a Big Fat Temple by Alena Dillon is honestly the truth bomb I didn’t know I needed. I didn’t even experience half of what she did and I still found myself enthralled and appalled. You can pre-order now.
• Different Differenter: An Activity Book About Skin Color by Jyoti Gupta is a must-have for any parent engaging in anti-racist parenting. It looks like a workbook for kids, but start with yourself.
• I love that Growing Sustainable Together! by Shannon Brescher Shea illustrates how green living affects your parenting and children’s lives for the better.
• Suzanne Brown wrote two books near and dear to my heart: Mompowerment is how to successfully transition to a part-time role for working moms and her newest book is The Mompowerment Guide to Work-Life Balance.
• Michelle Woo may take the cake for my favorite title with Horizontal Parenting: How to Entertain Your Kid While Lying Down. Talk about useful tips!
• Jenny True’s book You Look Tired: An Excruciatingly Honest Guide to New Parenthood brings the same humor as Vicks’ book, combined with True’s reputation as a “postpartum feelings doula.”
• Another winner is You’re Doing a Great Job! 100 Ways You’re Winning at Parenting by Biz Ellis and Theresa Thorn, which is so popular you can only buy it used or as an ebook.
• And knowing how few and far between great books for dads are, get your favorite SAHD Shannon Carpenter’s The Ultimate Stay-at-Home Dad: Your Essential Manual for Being an Awesome Full-Time Father so he’ll feel a little less alone.

Cindy Marie Jenkins is a writer, editor, and educational consultant who just repatriated but can’t seem to stay off WeChat. She offers help to work-at-home-parents and families who relocate for work at CindyMarieJenkins.com.

KEEP READING: Start Your Holiday Shopping With Bookstores Who Ship Internationally

Images: Canva, Julie Vicks, ELC Photography

Universal Studios Beijing is opening soon, and you can bet the entire population of Beijing (or even China) will be rushing there to be first in line. But how many times have you fallen victim to the deadly traps of the consumerist world, forgetting that you had already been down that rabbit hole once or twice before? We’ve all been there, and I’m here to shine a light on the situation. Here are five things you should not do in any amusement park. Avoid them at all costs.

#1 Driving there

This may seem like common sense, but the truth is lots of families still drive to amusement parks. And what happens is they spend 30 minutes looking for a parking spot, then 15 minutes walking to the park, then an hour trying to find their parking spot after an exhausting day of fun, and finally another hour getting out of the parking lot, resulting in a total of almost three hours of wasted time.

Do save yourself the trouble, simply take public transportation! Most parks in and around Beijing have subway lines that go directly to the park. For example, both Line 7 and the Batong Line service Universal Studios Beijing via a new transfer station, called Universal Resort station, which has entrances near the park.

#2 Bringing scooters, skates, or other prohibited items

Parks have regulations against scooters, inline skates, and drones. Make sure you don’t bring these items or else you’ll need to store them at the front desk and pick them up when you leave. The ride locations within parks are often relatively close to each other, so after only a short walk you’re sure to be seated on an attraction and giving your feet a rest. If there are little ones with you who are tired, there are benches around most parks where you can rest for a bit before you hit the next ride.

#3 Wearing accessories

No doubt many of us have laughed at those funny videos where a pair of sunglasses is blown off a person’s face during a ride. However, those funny moments can quickly become reality if you have accessories on you. So keep things simple when going on rides, no matter how friendly and tame they may seem. At bigger parks and rides (such as Universal’s Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey) there are cubbies where you can store your hat and sunglasses. Smaller parks or friendlier rides (like the carousels found in almost every park) have benches on which you can temporarily place your bags before you go on the ride.

So, before you get on any ride, store away all of your accessories safely, and then pick them up when you have finished with the attraction.

#4 Forgetting the necessities for all kinds of weather

Just because you aren’t on the beach sunbathing doesn’t mean that the sun’s dangerous rays aren’t still reaching you. And just because it’s sunny now doesn’t mean it won’t rain buckets later. So, make sure you’re prepared for the weather and bring all the necessities: a high SPF sunscreen, a rainproof jacket, and a hat. These essentials will have you covered for a day in the park, and they will also take up minimal space in your backpack so you won’t be carrying a load of bricks on your shoulders.

#5 Purchasing your tickets at the gate

Why should you buy them ahead of time? So you won’t waste money or precious time in the ticket lines! Buying tickets at the gate ensures that you’ll pay the highest possible price. Instead, check on the park’s official website and look for deals or days when admission is cheaper when tickets are purchased ahead of time. If there isn’t a website for the park, there may be deals available on Dianping. But never buy tickets from individual or sketchy sellers. You don’t want to purchase a set of fake tickets for the fam!

KEEP READING: Still Waiting for Universal Beijing To Open? Check Out These Local Theme Parks First!

Images: Unsplash

Every year we have the distinct privilege of compiling a School Choice Guide (SCG) for our readers. This special issue of our magazine is not only a comprehensive look at the state of international education in Beijing, it also acts as a compendium to our annual Jing International School Expo (JISE), so that parents and students are equipped to make the most out of their visits with principals and staff at the event, and ultimately find the best school for their family.

Due to COVID-19, we were unfortunately forced to delay JISE, however, our 2020-2021 School Choice Guide is available and jam-packed with information! Now is the perfect time to familiarize yourself with everything from the various curricula followed at different institutions, to the ways in which schools ensure that all their students receive an equitable education, no matter their learning needs.

For now, check out our feature on scholarships and learn how your student can get a leg up in the competition. Then pop over to our School Profiles Index and find out which Beijing international schools offer these valuable awards.

If you browsed our feature on school stats, then you’ll know tuition for an international education in Beijing can be, for some families, nothing short of prohibitive. Nevertheless, every child should be able to access a quality education regardless of economic standing, especially if they possess a precocious mind that would otherwise be stymied in a less challenging environment. Here at beijingkids, we have the honor of profiling diverse students who bring remarkable achievements to their schools and communities, and thus we can’t think of anything more unfortunate than a student who has the power to do great things, but lacks the resources.

Luckily, there’s a number of institutions which provide annual scholarship opportunities for both prospective and continuing students, to help ease the burden of a pricey school year.

To help you understand just what it takes to land one of these coveted awards, we spoke with Chuying W., a scholarship recipient from Beijing Huijia Private School, as well as Yanli Li, a faculty member who helps choose which applicants are deserving of the financial assistance.

Note:
Every school’s scholarship opportunities and requirements will vary, and these insights should only be taken as an example of one such process. Please consult with schools directly for more information.

Student Insight – Chuying W.

Which scholarship were you awarded?

I was awarded the bronze scholarship.

Why did you decide to apply for your scholarship?

I decided to apply for it because it feels great that I can get some rewards for the efforts I paid, and help my parents reduce some expenditure on my education. The more important reason is that the scholarship represents the school’s appreciation for my work, and it motivates me to work harder in the future.

Can you tell us a little about the application process?

First, I needed to decide which scholarship I wanted to apply for. Then, I filled in an application form to show my basic information. The form was finally given to the teachers and the school to check.

What does this scholarship mean to you?

It means that my efforts and work are appreciated by the school, and it feels great that I can achieve some goals through my hard work.

What advice do you have for other students who might be thinking about applying for a scholarship?

I would tell them to find a specific interest and work hard on it. The most important thing here is perseverance and dedication. You have to pay efforts for your interest, and it would be better if your interest can make others benefit from it.

What do you think helped you stand out from other applicants?

I did a lot of work to spread the knowledge of lumbar disc herniation through the Internet. I helped a lot of people learn how to prevent this disease and how to cure it. My work can be transferred into quantitative data, because the number of views of the original video I made about this disease exceeded 50,000. I think my achievement here is that I’ve really helped others through my work.

Faculty Insight – Yanli Li

What do you look for in a scholarship application?

There are different requirements of Huijia School Scholarship for different awards:

1. Academic awards: Academic performance is the main evaluation criteria, and daily learning performance and English level are particularly important. In addition, the comprehensive quality of students is also considered, such as a student’s leadership skills, organizational skills, communication skills, service awareness and sense of responsibility, etc.

2. Special awards: Emphasize students’ outstanding performance in various special fields, such as in literature, art, sports, technology, humanities, computers, artificial intelligence, scientific research, and innovation. All students with outstanding achievements in a certain area can apply for special scholarships.

Do you expect more from a student who is awarded a scholarship?

We hope that students who receive scholarships can continue to maintain excellent quality, set a good example, actively help and influence others, and encourage more students to join the team of outstanding learners.

What kinds of questions can a student expect to be asked during a scholarship interview?

Questions include: What kind of scholarship are you applying for? Why are you applying for a scholarship? Do you think you will apply successfully? Why?

On average, how many students apply for a scholarship in a given field?

At present, we provide about 80 students with different levels of awards in terms of scholarships each year. There are about 25 students who can get special awards, and are mostly concentrating on artistic creation, golf, ice hockey, artificial intelligence, computer programming, and other aspects.

Aside from getting a free or reduced tuition, what are the other advantages of being awarded a scholarship?

The school provides scholarships for outstanding grade 12 graduates to help them complete university studies better. For students with outstanding achievements in scientific research or innovation projects, the school provides certain project funds to help them complete their own research projects and innovation results.

What advice would you give to a student who’s thinking about applying for a scholarship?

We encourage all eligible students to apply for a school scholarship. Please get to know the scholarship policy in advance through the admissions office, and prepare related certification materials according to various evaluation standards. The submission must be completed before the application date set by our school.

This article appeared in the beijingkids 2020 School Choice Guide

Photos: Courtesy of Beijing Huijia Private School, beijingkids

We have all been there. The first time we stepped foot into our new home-away-from-home, it may have been with great anxiety and trepidation. Moving to a foreign country is challenging at the best of times, but uprooting your family and acclimatizing to a new cultural environment comes with its own set of unique tests and trials.

Families moving to Beijing have several issues to contend with once their feet touch the tarmac. Relocation can be one of the most testing times for families who have uprooted their lives from one country to the next. Usually, they spend a considerable amount of time navigating their way through several transitions; not least is the issue of getting the kids settled into a new school.

Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) has been investing in several ways to help ease the strain that a family may go through when moving across shores to build a new life. Their counseling program with the support of the student body and members of faculty work together to provide a welcoming environment for new students and a support network for both them and their families.

DCB Teacher and Counselor, Karla Hawkins, shared with beijingkids first-hand knowledge of the biggest challenges faced by students and parents who have moved to Beijing, “They have gone through a roller coaster of emotions from pure excitement and the prospect of all the new adventures ahead, to incredible lows surrounding the leaving of friends, family, and often pets.”

Hawkins went on to say that most families start seeking out ways to develop some sort of normalcy after arriving. They often prioritize making efforts to recreate elements of their previous life while doing their best to cultivate friendships. However, this rush to experience some semblance of their old life often results in a family neglecting to take their time to get accustomed to the culture and way of life here, which often leads to them rushing the transitional period only to realize that some things take much longer than anticipated.

To combat some of the disappointment a student and parent might experience during the initial phase of adjustment in a new country, DCB has set up a Peer Mentoring Programme where International Baccalaureate (IB) students are trained to mentor and support Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8, and 9) students. New students in particular really benefit from this program, which offers one-to-one support. “Younger students benefit from talking to older students as they often feel that someone closer to their age understands them better than the adults in their lives,” says Hawkins.

When it comes to age-specific challenges for students, there are a few to consider for both younger and older kids. If you have young children they may tend to miss their usual routines and the comfort of their old surroundings, however, they usually adapt more quickly in comparison to older students on campus, especially if supported by parents who recreate as many of these routines as possible.

For older students establishing meaningful friendships can take time and is one of the key sources of difficulty for some as they try and develop more of a social standing in school, however, this all gets easier as older students begin to immerse themselves in extracurricular activities. “As students move into IB DP (Diploma Program) years, it gets easier again as they tend to focus more on their work and get involved in after-school activity programs,” explained Hawkins.

At DCB all new students and their parents attend a New Families Orientation session the day before the rest of the student body arrives at the school for the start of the academic year; “This gives the new students an opportunity to meet their teachers and other new students ahead of the first day of school,” said Hawkins. This is vital to supporting students through the initial difficult first few weeks and months and partners other awesome initiatives. These include the Early Years and Junior School summer presentation, where students are presented with a photo and a short introduction to their class teacher, and Buddy program, which involves assigning new students to a member of the student body who can help them find their feet until they are ready to go at it alone.

There is also a week-long transition program for Year 6 students who are moving from Junior School to Senior School, whereby all new and current students join DCB from other schools in Beijing to participate in helping one another to transition confidently into the new year. This, Hawkins said, is a proactive and motivational aspect of student life; “The student body is extremely welcoming and always happy to help new students. Most go above and beyond to help and support.”

For the families of students attending DCB, the school organizes a “Newcomers Fair.” This is an opportunity for parents and extended family to get familiar with their community, network, and ask questions. Their parent association, ‘Friends of Dulwich’ is very active in organizing “connection lunches,” and “Bring a Friend” coffee mornings to help engage newcomers, welcome them and their families, and offer a support network made up of parents.

Acclimatization is never easy, and stringent back-up initiatives are always needed for those who may continue to struggle with their new environment. The Pastoral system at DCB deals with offering consistent and ongoing support, “The pastoral leaders work closely with the teachers and form tutors to ensure that those who are struggling have a support strategy put in place that will ensure they do acclimatize and settle in,” said Hawkins.

If you and your family are struggling to settle in Beijing and wondering how your home-away-from-home will ever really feel like ‘home,’ then patience is the key says, Hawkins. Take your time and allow you and the kids to adapt without the added pressure of wanting to make everything happen now. Check out what kind of support services the school where your kids attend offer and ensure that you and your family take advantage of the many opportunities to participate in school and family-orientated initiatives and activities. The kids can meet and make new friends and parents can connect with other parents also needing support and advice.

Remember that the name of the game for a family transitioning into a new life abroad often involves a period of testing times. Even seasoned expats have experiences with isolation, challenges with culture, and adapting to a new environment, particularly if you are worried about how your kids are coping at school. As Hawkins put perfectly; “There is often trial and error until your child finds the right activity, but once they do, that sense of being part of a group is essential for belonging and transition.”

Photo: Courtesy of DCB

It’s that time of the year when Grade 12 students are getting ready to move forward. College decisions are trickling in or are yet to arrive. In the meantime, it is time to make sure that everything needed for applications is in place. If you are in Grade 11, then there is a lot to look forward to, but it all takes planning.

So Grade 12 students. You may or may not have heard from a few schools you applied to. If your ED school accepted you, Congratulations! You’re done! If it’s an Early Action school(s) then you have some decisions to make: Do you take one of those schools or wait out for the rest? It is an important decision; certainly, if you were accepted by one of your top schools, then you need to weigh the balance of waiting. As a reminder, college applications shouldn’t be a collection process, but a choice of what is right for you. When thinking about your future, it is definitely about making sure the school you choose is the best fit – the one where you can develop the skills necessary for the future; the one that will prepare you on all levels – academically, personally, and socially. These are not mutually exclusive.

As you think about your future, it is important to weigh all the essential factors you made when choosing schools. At this stage in the process, remember that you have changed – from the process of applying, getting a bit more mature, focusing more specifically on things coming to an end (high school). There is a crack in the door letting you peek at your future. Take notice!

For the rest of your Grade 12, you’re in the waiting process. Make sure you check the status of your applications to ensure all of your needed documents are on file and nothing is missing. At this stage, the only document due is the Mid Year Report – grades from your mid-year exams. Otherwise, you are just in a holding pattern while you wait for the decisions to start rolling in – good, bad, or wait some more.

Now on to Grade 11 students. This is when everything starts. Now is when you should be planning on tasks, goals and setting a schedule. Here are a few things you must get done soon:

1. Testing – SAT or ACT and TOEFL or IELTS (if English is not your first language). Please note that some schools may state that “if you have attended an English school…” etc.. not every school has the same requirement or require a TOEFL or IELTS. It is always a good idea to have the testing in place than wish you had it.
2. Research schools – not just cursory schools that everyone applies to but schools that may actually suit you. Applying to university is not a popularity contest, though certainly, one might think that given the media’s attention to ranking and admission.
3. Talk to your College Counselor – they should be a great source of information. Remember they may have a greater knowledge of schools, and if they know you well, they might be able to recommend some schools that might actually make sense.
4. Think about summer. This has been said before, but staying home studying SAT and TOEFL is NOT a good use of your summer. Your peers, the students you are competing with, are taking courses, doing amazing community service projects, research projects, adventures in the wild and more. You lose the race by focusing on testing when testing is a small portion of the application process. Do something really meaningful, and plan something that is going to push you.
5. Don’t wait. Nothing good comes at the last minute. Students who plan and prepare are far better off than those who don’t

Move forward, clear the path. Make sure you are in a good place, whether you are a Senior or a Junior. Do what is right in front of you but also plan for the future.

Photo: telegraph.co.uk

Even people who have lived in Beijing for years may still have difficulties when showing around friends and relatives. And even if you haven’t made your way to the Forbidden City or Confucius Temple, it’s still good to know where to buy traditional, authentic souvenirs.

In many Western cultures you can expect that you’re buying what you’re paying for, or at least being able to call on your bank to revoke payment if you’ve been a victim of false advertising.  Banks and consumers have no such power in the wild, wild East where authorities are still trying to get current consumer protection laws to be respected (vaccines and seafood scandals anyone?). You’ll probably be on your own when trying to prove to the seller that he put together those iPhone parts with chewing gum (happened to my friend once).

In perfection, while shopping for any traditional goods in Beijing, you have to keep in mind four principles: find a place selling a real product, distinguish the real material, pay the real price, and get good quality.

Silk

So, the first rule of a real silk-seeker in Beijing is not to go to the tourist places. There might be exceptions, of course, but most of the merchants have not even a gram of conscience left when dealing with credulous travelers. Even if it does sound oddball, there are almost no chances to find silk on the famous Beijing Silk Market. Beijingers recommend going to government-owned factories, where you can be sure about the quality – however, the prices there might be higher than average. Stopping in a factory would likely be a scientific experience: they usually let visitors see silk worms and may allow visitors to assist in the production process if asked.

If you don’t want to spend a whole day in a far away warehouse, try visiting some Beijing markets that are more popular among Chinese citizens. The biggest one is located just next to the Beijing Zoo (Line 4, Beijing Zoo, exit C) – just explore the area, and you’d find many small stores with more than reasonable, non-tourist prices.

And if you really are determinde to buy a lot of silk, and want to be sure about the quality and prices – maybe the best decision would be to go for a weekend to Suzhou. This is a city not far from Shanghai, dubbed the capital of Chinese silk.

As for quality tests, there is a range tests available, easily researched online. The easiest one to do is to burn a thread – most of the stores will do this with no doubt. If the silk is real, the smoke will be white, and the ash left will be black and look like powder. If it is polyester, then the smoke will be grey or black, smell like burning plastic, and the ash left will look more like burned plastic. However, during this test, you have to be attentive. While looking over tourist reviews, we found a few tricks peddlers used to fool customers. For example, the seller gives you a thread to burn from cloth that was prepared in advance, but then ones you’d buy are made from another material. Or, sometimes the cloth has labels with a “100% silk” note on them. The truth might be that the tag is the only thing there that contains silk.

Pearls

 You can find three types of pearls in Beijing: cultured, natural and imitation.

Natural pearls are rare, and much more expensive than cultivated ones. So the chances to find them on a market are almost equal to zero. Usually if the vendor says his pearls are natural, he means that they’re cultivated. For natural ones, you should go to jewelry stores that will give you a certificate after purchasing. However, it all needs to be double-checked in China.

Try visiting the Beijing Pearl Market (Hongqiao), although right now, in August and September, it’s a high season for tourists here and the deals might not be that lucrative. The little advice we got is to establish “guanxi” with a particular store, taking a photo together with a first purchase and a clerk will help you to get a discount next time, even if you’re coming in a year or two later.

Checking the originality of pearls is not complicated. The most popular test is scraping it a bit with a sharp knife. For a real pearl, you’d get powder. If the pearls were made from plastic, shells or glass, you’d get a small bead from the coating material.

Happy shopping!

Photos: china.org.cn; traveldom.ru; tourguidevietnam.com; 97yysz.com; visitourchina.com; english.visitbeijing.com.cn; blog.lilysilk.com; pearlsinternational.com; chinadaily.com; commoms.wikimedia.com;