Chinese parents invited to talk

Stanmore Bay mother of three, Cindy Joy, is bringing her experience as a parent, along with what she has learned studying Educational Psychology, to a talk at Whangaparāoa Library. 

Her talk aims to help Chinese parents prepare their children for preschool and school.

Cindy moved to NZ from China 16 years ago. She says Chinese parents expect their children to begin learning from preschool.

“There is a big focus on learning,” she says. In Chinese culture, education is one way to get a better future, so it is pushed and there are high expectations on the children. At Kindy they can be learning what would be Primary School stuff here.”

Her own children went through Playcentre on the Coast, where Cindy enjoyed the philosophy of parent-led learning.

“Rather than all about learning to read and so on, it’s also about life skills to prepare for the future, making NZ students more independent,” she says. “For the first three years, the neurons need to connect in the brain, through play. Whereas from Chinese parents’ point of view they want more learning.”

Cindy says she will be talking with the parents who come to her talk about the differences between Chinese and NZ preschools and schools.

“Through my time at Playcentre, and my studies, I realised the challenges and differences in learning philosophies and expectations,” Cindy says. “I wanted to help by sharing what I’ve learned.”

“Every parent wants their child to achieve, but it should not be pushed too much in the early stages. Once I had my own children, I realised it is not about me pushing what I want onto them.”

Cindy’s talk, A Good Start at Preschool and School for Chinese Children, is on Saturday, May 6 at Whangaparāoa Library’s Pohutukawa Room, 10.30am-11.30am.