Between The Lines: Why Unsupervised Play Benefits Children

  “Play is the most efficient driver of learning for children. This is as true of their cognitive development as their physical and emotional development.” These statements introduce a chapter on remembering to play in Teach Your Children Well, by child psychologist Dr Madeline Levine. She outlines the concept through a “time wheel”: a pie-chart of a […]

Between The Lines: Don’t sell short the power of the pen

This article appeared on Tuesday 24 March 2015 in the South China Morning Post print edition as “Don’t sell short the pen’s power”. In advocating literacy, we have mostly discussed the importance of reading aloud with children. But there’s a second part we haven’t addressed as deeply: writing. Writing is powerful. Consider this: history happens, […]

Between the Lines: Imagination just as important for children as books

This article appeared on Tuesday 24 February 2015 in the South China Morning Post print edition as “Why kids need time to ponder”. “Use your imagination,” was my mother’s exasperated reply to my whiny claims of boredom one day when I was little. “I don’t have any,” I exclaimed. But the truth is, my childhood […]

南華早報專欄:Heads-up on the theory of mind

This article appeared on Tuesday 10 March 2015 in the South China Morning Post print edition as “Heads-up on the theory of mind”. My love of reading and all that I’ve gained from it define me as much as my relationship and life experiences. I am confident that my children will also be shaped by the […]

Between The Lines: Six great Lunar New Year story books for children

This article appeared on Tuesday 10 February 2015 in the South China Morning Post print edition as “Children’s tales for Lunar New Year”. For me, the essence of Lunar New Year is perfectly embodied in A New Year’s Reunion, the award-winning picture book by Yu Liqiong. I didn’t discover it until 2011, and since then I […]

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 […]