China

The COVID-19 epidemic is a stressful time for parents, guardians and children alike. During this period of uncertainty, you may be experiencing a wide range of emotions including anxiety, helplessness, loneliness and agitation. Children are going through the epidemic too, and just like adults, they may be experiencing a wide range of emotions.…

Building family harmony starts with everyone feeling good about themselves. During the COVID-19 epidemic, people may experience negative feelings, such as sadness, anxiety, fear, and even depression. Helping yourself and your family members keep a positive attitude will be important for everybody to get through this difficult period. Below are six…

Five-year-old Yuanyuan* is from Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak of the coronavirus disease, also known as COVID-19. Her parents and grandparents tested positive for COVID-19 and were admitted to a hospital. She was the only one in her family not infected with the virus and was left behind at home. Medical personnel in the hospital decided to…

More than 180 million primary and secondary school students across China went online or switched on TV to attend class. The spring semester, originally scheduled to start on 17 February 2020, was postponed in an effort to contain the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Xiaoyu, an 11 th grader in Beijing, is one of the hundreds of…

Even after the Spring Festival in China, gatherings with families and friends and various travel and outdoor activities are being cancelled. And many people have been staying home with their families to avoid infection. Living with family members in a confined space for long periods of time and being regularly bombarded by information about the…

While cooking mushrooms and leafy greens on a stovetop, Wu Kejian explained to 50 students attending a catering class how to make a nutritious meal with less oil and salt. When the mushrooms were tender, he turned off the flame, served the steaming dish and invited students to taste it. Wu is a cook at the Experimental School Affiliated to…

What does a kitchen garden mean to children in a rural primary school in China? To Principal Yang Peng, it makes the school feel like home. Yang heads a primary boarding school with 360 students in Heping Township, Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. One out of every five students at the school is a "…

Play nurtures all areas of development and stimulates brain development. Playing with your child doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult. Low-cost, no-cost local materials provide ample opportunity for play. Here are three things you can do to encourage play: Let your child play Some people see play as just something children do and think that…

Children have unique nutritional needs and can suffer unique harm from malnutrition. Hence, putting their nutrition needs first is key to ensuring that they get the best start in life. This, in turn, enables societies to meet their economic, social and developmental goals in the 21 st  century. And yet a report released by UNICEF indicates that…

Whereas in previous generations, children being bullied could escape such abuse or harassment by going home or being alone, no such safe haven exists for children in a digital world. The State of the World’s Children 2017: Children in A Digital World What is cyberbullying? Bullying can be defined as intentional and aggressive behaviour occurring…

Children develop a sense of trust in the world when their needs are met positively and consistently. Being sensitive and responsive to children strengthens relationships and positively influences development. Relationship is the essence of education. Loris Malaguzzi, Here are four things you can do to build trust with your child:, Develop a caring relationship with the child Babies need to become emotionally attached to the important people in their lives. Care for their physical health and safety; spend time and show affection to babies and young children. Cuddle, talk, play, sing and read to them. Everyday nurturing interactions strengthen attachment and stimulate brain…

How to talk to your child's school about bullying, School leaders and teachers are important allies for preventing and addressing bullying. Bullying often takes place in school classrooms and hallways, where teachers and administrators can intervene. But the classroom is also an ideal setting for educating children about bullying and its harmful consequences, and shaping a culture of respect and…, Know your rights, Children have the right to go to school and learn in safety. Schools and teachers play an important role in protecting children. The adults who oversee and work in educational settings have a duty to create environments that support and promote children’s dignity, development and protection.  These rights are explicitly written in the United…, Starting with prevention, How can I work with my child’s school to prevent bullying? Bullying prevention through the use of dedicated lessons, meetings and/or curriculum has been shown to effectively reduce bullying in schools. Here’s how you can talk to your child’s teacher about starting with prevention: Establish relationships with school employees. Get to know your…, Responding to bullying, How can I work with my child’s school if my child is being bullied? Do your research. Find out if the school has a response mechanism or policy in place for bullying. Make sure there is a support system for both your child and the child who is bullying.  Allow the school to take action. Allow schools to take responsibility for dealing with…, Take action, You can be a support system for your child and working with your local schools to make schools safer for students. Learn more: