Category: Parents Zone

Only want to stay in the air-conditioned condition during hot weather?  Beware of get air conditioning disease?

Parents Zone

 

Written by : Yeung Ming Ha, Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioners

 

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This summer is really “hot and heavy”! In the face of the alarmingly high temperatures, families always want to stay in air-conditioned rooms. In addition to the increase in cases of heat stroke, many patients have “cold” symptoms, suffering from air-conditioning disease. Because the hotter the weather, the more likely to covet air conditioning, when out of the air-conditioned room, equivalent to a seasonal temperature difference, in this “hot and cold” situation, it is prone to catch a cold.

 

The most suitable temperature for the human body is 24.5 degrees to 25.5 degrees, but many office central air conditioning is often set at between 15 ℃ and 20 ℃. When working staff have to sit in the office for 8 hours a day, students stay in the classroom for a long time, they will suffer from “air-conditioning sickness” when they are exposed to low temperature for a long time. The symptoms include headache, dizziness, easy fatigue, nasal allergy and runny nose.

 
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Moreover, prolonged exposure of the respiratory tract to dry and cold air causes continuous loss of mucosal moisture, and cold air causes microvascular constriction of the mucosa and reduced glandular secretion, resulting in a drier respiratory mucosa. Not only does it produce a dry and itchy throat, but it also aggravates nasal allergy. The following are some of the my tips for effective prevention of cold weather illness.

 

  1. Keep warm to avoid pain

 

If the air conditioning vent is facing the head, it will stimulate the head. The head is the meeting of all the yang, cold condensation will make the flow of qi and blood blocked, “blocked then pain”, resulting in headache. Even worse is the direct blowing of air conditioning, causing many chronic pains, such as arthritis, knee pain and lumbago, etc., which are then aggravated. The easiest way to keep warm is to avoid being blown directly by the air conditioning and to wear more warm clothes. Before entering an air-conditioned place, you can rub your hands together to warm them up and then cover your nose to avoid the cold air from entering the nasal cavity directly, which will stimulate the nasal mucosa and induce nasal allergy. In addition, you should wear a shawl or a thin jacket to avoid head and neck pains caused by air conditioning.

 

  1. health tea treatment for air-conditioning diseases

 

People often eat snacks in the afternoon to refresh themselves. It’s suggested eating more foods such as red dates, brown sugar, peel and ginger water, these foods not only do not cause fat, but also promote blood circulation. If you are not suffering from allergic rhinitis and want to relieve dryness in the respiratory tract, you should drink more plain water or honey water on weekdays. You can also drink a tablespoon of brown sugar and three slices of ginger in hot water for 20 to 30 minutes. You can also eat fruits that are more nourishing, such as pears, because they nourish the lungs and stomach, quench thirst and nourish the skin.

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For those who suffer from allergic rhinitis, this tea can be used to relieve air conditioning.

Ingredients: 3 grams of Chinese ears, 12 grams of catkins, 6 grams of peppermint and 9 grams of almonds for tea therapy.

Directions

Step 1: Put the ingredients into a tea bag, add warm water at 90 degrees, and bake for 15 minutes.

Step 2: Diffuse the nose with steam for about 1 minute, because the essence in it contains the volatile oil of peppermint, which has the effect of clearing nasal congestion. After the drink is warmed up, it can be consumed.

 

Efficacy: Peppermint, Cang Er Zi and Catkins are all in the lung meridian and have the effect of dispelling wind and clearing the nasal orifices. Almond has the function of keeping the lungs smooth and moistening them. The combination of these herbs can effectively reduce the symptoms of nasal allergy.

 

  1. often patting the acupuncture points to stimulate blood circulation

 

On weekdays, you can use your fingers to press or pat the Yongquan point on the bottom of your feet, which is also known as the “longevity point” and can stimulate blood circulation throughout the body, making your body warm and relaxing to sleep. In addition, the navel and three inches below the location are some points to strengthen the body and Qi, such as Qihai and Guan Yuan. In addition, warm water bags to warm the abdomen, also has the effect of cold to prevent disease. And often to sit in the air-conditioned room, try not to maintain the same sitting posture for a long time, usually may wish to do some simple stretching movements, so that blood circulation, so that the body naturally warmed up.

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Wear sandals to chase away the summer heat. How to choose the right sandals for children?

Parents Zone

 

Written by: Registered Physiotherapist, Fong Wai Kwan

 

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In summer, many people wear sandals because they can keep their feet cool and keep the sweltering heat away. Although sandals have become a popular summer gift for mothers and children, parents should be aware of what they need to consider when choosing sandals. Just remember the following tips for choosing sandals, and you’ll be able to wear them comfortably and healthily!

 

Full joint sandals Evenly distribute the pressure under the foot

 

Since the feet of young children are still in the development stage, special care is needed when choosing sandals. For children under 4 years old, their heels are not yet developed, so it is recommended to wear sandals suitable for toddlers with a special mid-calf design and a harder heel cup, which can stabilize the hind feet and effectively protect the heels.

 

In addition, parents can choose a pair of “full joint sandals” for their children because it adopts “pressure dispersion technology”, which can evenly disperse the pressure on the bottom of the foot, making it extra comfortable for children to wear. The special “toe groove” design enables children to walk with a stable forefoot, and the mild “arch support” can effectively support the arch and prevent fatigue caused by excessive pressure on the arch. The “heel nest design” can increase the heel contact surface, so that the heel position of the shoe is close to the feet, evenly dispersing the pressure on the bottom of the foot, effectively alleviating the sequelae of flat feet, so that children can naturally wear comfortable and healthy!

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The “toe groove” design reduces the formation of calluses

 

In addition to children, parents should also pay more attention when choosing sandals. As women wear sandals, their feet tend to rush forward, and as a result, calluses tend to form on the forefoot as a result of prolonged friction and pressure. Women’s “full jointed sandals” are specially designed with “toe grooves” to stabilize the forefoot when walking and reduce the chance of the foot charging forward.

 

In addition, the metatarsal pad supports the horizontal arch, which increases the forefoot contact surface, prevents excessive pressure on the forefoot and reduces the formation of calluses. It is also equipped with “mild arch support” to reduce excessive stretching of the plantar fascia during walking and reduce foot fatigue. Combined with the “heel nest” and “comfortable cushion design”, it helps to evenly distribute the pressure on the bottom of the foot, not only can absorb shock and unload force, but also effectively relieve plantar fatigue, forefoot pain and heel pain and other problems.

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To love children, first to love themselves, 3 moves to teach you to maintain the best mental state

Parents Zone

 

 

Written by : Family Dynamics Child Play Therapist

 Marriage and Family Therapist, Ms. Lee Wai Zi

 

 

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In today’s society, it is indeed not easy for parents to maintain a good state of mind and body. I have met with many parents and found that the difficulty most parents face is not that they do not understand their children’s feelings and needs, or that they do not know how their behavior affects their children, but that it is difficult to maintain a trusting and optimistic attitude towards their children when they are in a situation. Often, parents become increasingly anxious as they worry that their child’s problems will continue and worsen, and repeat ineffective ways of dealing with their child’s problems.

 

So, how can parents maintain the best mental state to face the stress and challenges of disciplining their children? Here are some tips for parents to consider: 

 

1. Be more sensitive to your own stress levels

Parents are human beings, so there will be times when they are depressed or physically and emotionally exhausted. The purpose of parents being sensitive to their own mental state is to remind themselves that they need to take care of their own needs first. It is difficult for parents to be sensitive and responsive to the needs of their children when they are in a highly stressed state. Conversely, inappropriate responses may harm the child and damage the parent-child relationship. 

 

2. Use resources effectively to relieve stress

 

When parents feel stressed, they should try to explore and make good use of their own internal and external resources to regulate their negative emotions. For example, find family members or friends to talk to, do things that can relax you, and find positive thoughts and beliefs to encourage you. The purpose is to give yourself a proper rest and temporary relief from stress.

 

 

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  1. Turn your mind around and reflect

If a parent’s stress continues and increases, professional help is needed. Sometimes, these pressures come from more than just external influences. Parents’ self-worth, worldview, and perceptions of things can affect how we parent. For example, some parents worry that they are not doing enough to fulfill their parental responsibilities and end up pushing their children to study or participate in activities, or even that they are not flexible enough to respond to their children’s needs when they are stressed and negative. If 

 

parents are aware of and take care of their own feelings and needs, they can prevent their negative emotions from affecting the next generation.

 

Therefore, parents who love their children must first love themselves. Only when parents are healthy and happy can their children grow up healthy and happy.

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Emotional Language for Parents and Children

Parents Zone

 

Written by : Family Dynamics Child Play Therapist

 

                    Marriage and Family Therapist, Ms. Lee Wai Zi

 

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Growing up, we are seldom taught to express our emotions verbally. Schools and society focus on nurturing children’s cognitive, analytical, and problem-solving skills, so we are used to discussing things and opinions, and rarely express our emotions directly in words. Even when families communicate and talk to each other, we are not used to sharing our feelings.

 

Some parents may ask, “Isn’t it enough for me to express my care for my child through actions (such as hugging or kissing him/her)? Is it necessary for parents to verbally affirm and respond to their children’s feelings and needs?

 

While it is important for parents to express their love for their children through actions, it is also important for parents to respond empathetically to their children so that they can understand and accept their thoughts and feelings in a more concrete and tangible way. This not only strengthens the parent-child relationship and builds the child’s sense of security, but the child also learns how to verbally express his or her feelings and needs, which helps reduce the need for the child to express his or her inner turmoil through bad behavior.

 

 

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In fact, the language of emotion is not the language we are used to. Many parents are concerned that affirming and empathizing with their children’s negative emotions may condone and exacerbate their children’s bad behavior. For example, when a child feels sad about the loss of a beloved object, parents are afraid that rehashing the incident will touch on the child’s sad feelings. Parents may say to their children, “It’s okay, just play with something else! or “Try to see if you can buy another one instead. Parents want to calm their children by solving their problems.

 

However, not only do children fail to learn from their parents’ responses how to access and understand their own feelings and effectively regulate their negative emotions, they also have no opportunity to learn from their failures and develop a sense of responsibility.

 

If parents can put themselves in their children’s shoes, understand their experiences from their children’s perspective, and try to tell them how they feel, even if it is as simple as “I think you must be very sad and upset about losing your beloved object. This is the most powerful support and comfort for children, giving them the confidence and courage to face the challenges of life.

 

 

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School Class Teachers are More Important Than You Might Think

Parents Zone

 

Written by : Doctor Hui Lung Kit

 

 

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Child Psychiatry’s primary concern is to determine whether a child’s behavior is normal or abnormal, and whether it is normal or abnormal should be judged according to the rules of Child Developmental Psychology. But in reality, do parents have to get a bunch of books on child development and look at the textbooks to observe their children? This is a time-consuming and costly process. One of the simpler ways is to ask your child’s class teacher.

 

Have you ever heard of children moving up a grade every year, like going from Grade 1 to Grade 2, Grade 3 to Grade 4? But have you ever heard of teachers moving up a grade? Generally speaking, many teachers spend months and years teaching students at the same grade level. More experienced teachers may even spend over ten years teaching children of the same age. As a result, they may have interacted with hundreds of students of the same age over time.

 

Developmental assessments for children place significant emphasis on comparing them with their peers of the same age. By using a large sample size of data and employing statistical methods, a reference definition of normal and abnormal can be established. An experienced teacher, with ample teaching experience, already encompasses a substantial sample size within her own teaching practice. Based on this, she can determine what is considered normal and abnormal.

 

 

 

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For example, let’s say in September this year, a class teacher is faced with a new class of 30 students in Grade 1. When assessing each individual student, the teacher unconsciously compares the current students with the same-age students they have taught in the past. If, through this comparison, the teacher senses something “off” or “peculiar” about a student, this feeling actually holds statistical significance! However, teachers themselves may not be aware of it.


Many parents have a significant lack of trust in schools and teachers. I have also observed some common blind spots in the evaluation process of schools and teachers (such as generally having more lenient behavioral standards for academically successful students). However, it is important to remember that parents only interact with their own 1 or 2 children on a daily basis, while schools and teachers deal with hundreds of students. When determining whether a child’s emotions and behaviors are normal or abnormal, the opinions of schools and teachers undoubtedly hold valuable reference points.

 

 

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Marital Conflicts: Suffering the Children

Parents Zone

 

 

Written by: Marriage and Family Therapist, Child Play Therapist, Lee Wai Zi

 

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The arrival of a child often brings significant changes to a family. Many times, parents become so busy taking care of and educating their children that they inadvertently neglect the quality of their marital life. Over time, their relationship may become reduced to a series of responsibilities and pressures. I once heard a friend say that every day after work, he would mechanically check his children’s homework and supervise their studying, while his wife took care of their meals and routines. By the time they could finally rest, it was often late at night, and even if they had some energy left to talk, their conversations revolved solely around their children’s academic performance. Sometimes, they didn’t even have enough time to rest themselves, let alone care for or respond to each other’s needs.

 

In my counseling experience, I have encountered many couples facing difficulties in their marriage, and they all agree that their relationship began to suffer after the birth of their child. Most people would think this is due to differing expectations and educational methods regarding their children, or an unequal distribution of roles and responsibilities in parenting, leading to conflicts.

 

However, the vast majority of couples express that they do not necessarily need their partner to agree with their thoughts or actions. The crux of the issue lies in the fact that when they confront parenting and various life pressures, they often feel a lack of recognition, support, and acceptance from their spouse, leading both parties to feel isolated and helpless. This gradually undermines the trust and emotional connection between them.

 

 

 

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It is perfectly normal for couples to have different educational philosophies and methods. Yet, during the parenting process, parents often resort to ineffective and destructive methods to handle their differences, unintentionally creating a negative cycle of interaction. For example, a wife might complain about their child’s disobedience in front of her husband, or express dissatisfaction that he is not helping with household chores and parenting responsibilities. The wife’s intention in expressing her frustrations is to make her husband understand her worries and concerns, and to gain his support and comfort.

 

However, the husband usually only perceives his wife’s complaints and criticisms. To protect himself from emotional harm, he may remain silent or repeatedly explain and defend himself, hoping for his wife’s understanding and acceptance. The more the husband explains, the more the wife feels unvalued and misunderstood, leading her to escalate her accusations. The more she accuses, the more helpless the husband feels, prompting him to avoid the situation and defend himself even more. Both partners become victims within this negative cycle of interaction. If parents do not promptly confront and resolve the deadlock in their relationship, it will not only prolong and exacerbate the issues, but it may ultimately harm their children.

 

 

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The health of a family and its children is built upon a strong emotional connection between the couple. Therefore, for the sake of themselves and their children, parents should consider spending more time nurturing the love between them. A happy marriage will naturally allow children to grow up healthy and joyful.

 

 

 

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Training Young Minds: Brain Training Games

Parents Zone

 

Written by: Ms. Carmen Leung, part-time lecturer for Bachelor of Education in OUHK

 

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DHA is merely a nutrient that supports brain development in children, but to make children smarter, their brains need proper exercise. Here are some brain-training games that are perfect for children aged 2 to those in primary school!

1. Maze and Spot-the-Difference Activities
Although mazes and spot-the-difference games were popular when we were young, they remain valuable tools for children today. These brain-training activities come in various forms; any image-based game that requires children to observe and concentrate to complete tasks qualifies as a brain exercise. For instance, are you familiar with “Where’s Wally?”—one of the most popular brain games worldwide?

 

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In fact, brain games don’t necessarily need to be purchased or printed in books; you can easily create them at home. For example, parents can hide two candies among a pile of clutter, and children will surely focus intently to find them!

2. Organizing and Categorizing Household Items
Everyday life offers excellent opportunities for brain training, such as tidying up and sorting. Organizing items systematically not only enhances children’s organizational skills but also encourages their creativity. Sometimes, children may classify items differently than adults, but their methods can be quite logical. Parents might ask children why they categorize items in a certain way, discovering that children’s observational skills can be sharper than expected. They often use details they observe for classification, so parents should avoid imposing adult categorization methods to prevent stifling their problem-solving initiative.

 

You might wonder what to do if your child dislikes tidying up. Before children develop the habit of organizing and sorting household items, it’s essential to start with games to boost their motivation to complete “missions.” For instance, you could hold a “Room Organization Contest” or “Clean-Up Day,” encouraging family members to help each other tidy up, which also serves as a fun way to exercise their brains!

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3. Memory Games
There are many memory card games available, such as flipping over a set of cards and taking turns to reveal two at a time. If the cards match, players keep them. Additionally, there are cards with different pictures on them that parents can lay out for children to see, then flip them over and ask children to identify where a specific item is located. These are excellent memory games, and both adults and children can add creativity by changing the rules to make them more interesting. 

Beyond card games, everyday life is full of opportunities for memory games. For example, you can ask children to find items they’ve seen you place somewhere, or have them put away some objects and later ask them to retrieve them after a certain period.

 

In summary, training children’s brains and intelligence is not difficult at all. With a bit of thought and creativity, many everyday details can provide opportunities for children to think critically!

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Why Are Children Afraid to Communicate with Their Parents?

Parents Zone

 

Written by: Dr. Tik Chi-yuen, Director of Hong Kong Institute of Family Education

 

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Last weekend, I attended a parent seminar where it was mentioned that parents should establish a close communication relationship with their children. Nowadays, young people rarely confide in their parents when facing difficulties. During the open discussion, a father asked me, “My son is in Form 3, and we rarely talk, especially about his feelings. How can I build a communication relationship with him?” I believe many parents have faced similar issues, especially as their children grow. Why is it so difficult to establish heartfelt communication with our children?

 

When children are young, communication seems to be straightforward and without issues. However, as they grow into adolescence, parents often find communication suddenly becomes challenging. Some parents say that communication has become “one sentence against nine,” meaning when parents say one thing, children respond with nine counterarguments, making effective communication difficult. What is the problem? It lies in the topics and attitudes we adopt when communicating with our children.

 

When we come home each day, the first question we often ask our children is, “Have you finished your homework?” We constantly remind them to take a shower, tidy up their toys, do their homework, and review their lessons. This creates a daily routine filled with tasks. When the parent-child relationship becomes task-oriented, both sides feel exhausted. Some parents feel drained by having to manage their children’s responsibilities every day, and children feel overwhelmed as well. When our conversations revolve around tasks and chores, children gradually perceive talking to parents as a source of pressure, leading them to be less willing to communicate.

 

 

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Regarding attitude, parents need to reflect and reassess their approach. We often have too many criticisms and reprimands about our children’s performance. When their handwriting is messy, we correct it and ask them to rewrite it; when they barely pass a test, we express our dissatisfaction. We frequently compare our children with others, diminishing their achievements. This overly critical and comparative attitude makes children feel that their parents are never satisfied, which is difficult for them to handle and also undermines their self-confidence. Just as we dislike harsh bosses, children also feel distanced from parents who constantly criticize them, leading them to avoid sharing their thoughts and feelings.

 

 

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With these issues at hand, how can we improve? If our children are still young, we should immediately work on improving the content and attitude of our communication. We should discuss topics of mutual interest, especially happy experiences. Additionally, we should appreciate our children’s strengths and offer more encouragement and support. If our children are already in their teenage years, we need to learn to be friends with them, listen more, and nag less. We should first open up to them about our feelings to encourage them to share their thoughts with us as well. The bond between parents and children is inherently one of affection; we can build an intimate communication relationship by putting in the effort.

 

 

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Instead of Overprotecting, It’s Better to Accompany Them Through Ups and Downs.

Parents Zone

 

Written by: Child Play Therapist, Marriage and Family Therapist, Ms. Lee Wai Zi

 

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Recently, I saw a friend share a short video on Facebook, featuring her 5-year-old son demonstrating how to cut broccoli with a serrated knife. The edited video lasted about three and a half minutes and was filmed entirely by the mother. In the video, the boy’s cutting skills were not exactly proficient, but he wore a calm expression and explained his actions confidently.

 

As a therapist, I completely agree with the mother’s approach of allowing her child to learn and gain experience from life. After all, the harm from a serrated knife is limited; even if he does cut himself, it would likely only result in a minor injury, and children tend to recover quickly. However, as a mother myself, I couldn’t help but feel worried while watching the entire process.

 

 

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When the boy successfully cut through the broccoli, I let out a sigh of relief. I greatly admired his patience and effort, but I was even more impressed by the mother’s courage.

 

Many parents often struggle between allowing their children to try new things and worrying about them facing setbacks. While many parents rationally understand that children need some autonomy to develop a sense of responsibility and confidence, the instinct to protect their children from failure or pain is powerful. These worries and anxieties lead parents to protect their children from making mistakes in various ways, such as making decisions for them, completing responsibilities they should handle themselves, or persuading them to solve problems in the parents’ way.

Parents’ concerns about their children’s potential failures come from a place of love, which is natural. However, the greatest gift parents can give their children is not to protect them from making mistakes or getting hurt, but to accompany them through the highs and lows, as well as the successes and failures. This kind of companionship includes respect, trust, and support for the child—respecting their right to make their own choices, trusting that they can handle the consequences of those choices, and providing unwavering support when they face difficulties and setbacks.

 

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No one can guarantee that a child’s life will be smooth sailing, but a parent’s presence can assure their child that they are never alone. Only then can children confidently explore, learn, and develop their strengths.

 

 

 

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Oral Muscle Development Training: Laying the Foundation for Language Skills

Parents Zone

 

Written by: Speech Therapist Ms Jenny T. Y. Kwok

 

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Every child’s language ability is different. Some children can speak various words by the age of one and form sentences by two, communicating effectively with others. However, some children develop their language skills more slowly. In fact, the development of oral muscles has a profound impact on both eating and language abilities. Parents can engage in various small games to train their children’s oral muscles, laying a solid foundation for their language development.

 

Oral muscles include the muscles of the cheeks, lips, tongue, and jaw, which develop and improve with age and eating experiences. The strength, control, flexibility, and coordination of these muscles are crucial factors in a child’s ability to learn to speak.

 

Daily meal times provide excellent practice opportunities. However, some cases involve children primarily eating finely chopped or pureed foods, which can hinder the normal development of their chewing abilities, affecting both eating and language development. Common issues include drooling and unclear or inaccurate pronunciation, so oral muscle problems must be addressed.

 

Here are some simple games to train oral muscles, which we hope will improve children’s oral capabilities through fun activities, thus laying a strong foundation for their language skills.

 

Blowing Practice

 

How to Play:

 

First, prepare a basin of water and position it between the parent and child, who should face each other. Fill the basin halfway with water and place a paper boat on the parent’s side, adding a small treat or toy (such as stickers, etc.) inside. The parent blows the paper boat toward the child, who can then take the treat. If the child wants more, they must blow the boat back toward the parent.

 

This blowing exercise strengthens the ability to retract the tongue and round the lips, enhancing the stability and control of the jaw, which improves speech clarity.

 

 

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Chewing Practice
 

How to Play:

Cut harder vegetables or fruits (such as carrots, cucumbers, celery, and apples) into strips approximately the length and thickness of a finger. The parent holds the end of the vegetable strip and places it between the child’s molars to encourage chewing. The parent should stabilize the food’s position, pushing it slightly each time the child bites until the strip is completely eaten, alternating sides for practice. Parents can adjust the size, length, and hardness of the food strips according to the child’s abilities.

Chewing requires the coordination of the lips, tongue, and jaw muscles, while speech development also relies on the collaboration of different oral muscles to produce various sounds. Therefore, chewing training helps improve clarity of pronunciation.

 
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