Between the Lines: Reading to children improves their cognitive abilities
Last summer, the American Academy of Paediatrics issued a new policy statement for its members, recommending that paediatricians advise parents of young children about the importance of breastfeeding, vaccinating and reading aloud. Until that moment, reading to children was just another fun and enriching educational experience, on par with playing in the park and attending […]
Between the Lines: Discussing books with children improves their creative writing skills
“Why is Goodnight Moon such a big deal?” my friend asked me. The classic story by Margaret Wise Brown doesn’t seem that notable on first glance: a slightly off-putting colour scheme depicting a story without any exciting plotlines or humorous developments. I urged her and her young child to give the picture book another try, and pointed […]
Between the Lines: The joys of letter writing
I have fond memories of writing many letters to many people in my youth. In fact, cherished relationships were built and strengthened through letters. In Year 10, a friend wrote a one-page Arthurian story with characters that mirrored our circle of friends and passed it to me to read. I continued the story by […]
Between the Lines: Patience works best for kids who are slow to start reading
In her personal story published in SCMP, Gwen reminds us that “Good things come to those who wait”… This article appeared on Tuesday 4 November in the South China Morning Post print edition as “Patience works best for kids who are slow to start reading”. When parents lament that their children are not yet reading […]
Transitional Readers – Helping Your Child Become an Independent Reader (Who LOVES books!)
Parents play a critical role during the early stages of reading acquisition – how the child learns to read can affect their lifelong reading habits. By using some simple, fun and effective strategies, children can happily transition from listening to stories to reading on their own. Best books for your beginning reader available to purchase! […]
Quirky humour in children’s picture books is a nod to the past
What we read to our children changes through the generations, as does how we dress them. When it comes to classic picture books, other than the date of publication, I have firm notions about how they differ from modern works. In my mind, the old classics use soft watercolours and gentle prose to tell stories […]
Between the Lines: Set healthy limits on tech use
Most families in Hong Kong live in apartments and have very limited access to outdoor space. Add to that crowds and an air pollution index (API) that is currently at the maximum measurable level, and taking children outside to connect with nature and to move has its own challenges and dangers. In urban areas […]
Between the Lines: Sustained silent reading can improve literacy
My daughter and her kindergarten buddies are adjusting well to Grade One and life in a “big kids’ school”. They are learning new skills to develop their independence and self-reliance. The most conspicuous changes from kindergarten are that these children no longer have teachers to remind them to wash their hands before lunch, or […]
Between the lines: Screen time for youngsters: how much is too much?
This article appeared on Tuesday 9 September 2014 in the South China Morning Post print edition as “Screen time for youngsters: how much is too much?”. Is it OK to give my three-year-old daughter an educational phone app when she starts to cry at a restaurant to calm her down and avoid causing a scene? […]
Storytelling and Paper Moon-Cake Making by Children’s Book Author, Christina Matula-Häkli
Meet the Author Christina Matula-Häkli: Originally from Canada, Christina has lived in Hong Kong since 2007. Keen to explore her Chinese heritage (her mother is Taiwanese), Christina was inspired to adapt Chinese legends and fables to share with her own children and hope that her book will spark an interest in and passion for Chinese […]
