Category Archives: kids

Bending the Stereotypes of Chinese Parenting

Bending the Stereotypes of Chinese Parenting

With the Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom by Amy Chua stirring up so much controversy, here’s a couple more perspectives on raising kids from new Chinese American parents. When it comes to parenting, the Chinese seem to produce children who display academic excellence, musical mastery and professional success – or so the stereotype goes. WSJ’s Christina Tsuei speaks to two moms raised by Chinese immigrants who share what it was like growing up and how they hope to raise their children.

Bending the Stereotypes of Chinese Parenting

Outside with Jordan : First 5 CA PSA

Outside with Jordan : First 5 CA PSA

Out in the Golden State, First 5 California released an ad campaign called “Outside with Jordan.” (Jordan reminds us a little of Russell from Up aka Jordan Nagai. BTW – This isn’t the same Jordan.) The PSA tells kids to get out of the house and play outdoors. Kids need the exercise to grow and be healthy. Encourage children to play outside. He or she can play tag, ride a tricycle or play baseball. Plan a trip to the local park or playground. Walk the dog, work in the garden, wash the car or just take a walk. These activities help your child burn calories. Getting children into the habit of being physically active early on is important.

It’s great to see an Asian American kids front and center on this PSA.

(Thanks to Willy H. for the tip)

Outside with Jordan : First 5 CA PSA

About First 5 California
First 5 California, also known as the California Children and Families Commission, was established after voters passed Proposition 10 in November 1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on cigarettes to fund education, health, childcare and other programs for expectant parents and children up to age 5.

Fatherhood Involvement – Surgery PSA

Fatherhood Involvement - Surgery PSA

Here’s a PSA from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Ad Council featuring an Asian Dad and his daughter doing surgery together. It’s a touching piece about parenting and spending quality time with kids.

Children with involved, loving fathers are significantly more likely to do well in school, have healthy self-esteem, and avoid high-risk behaviors such as drug use, truancy, and criminal activity. Dads play a unique and irreplaceable role in their children’s lives. A father’s presence is essential to his child’s well-being. The campaign ad is a lighthearted prompt to fathers to become involved and spend more time with their children.

Fatherhood Involvement – Surgery PSA

Peanuts Live by Mike Relm

Peanuts Live by Mike Relm

Mike Relm takes you to a journey back to your childhood. The DJ mashup artist fuses cartoons like the Peanuts with live-action children series Pee-Wee’s Playhouse. Dope turntable action on this sweet remix. If you’ve seen him on tour, you may have seen this.

See more turntablism with Mike Relm: Scratch Everything, YouTube Live, Office Space Remix at 2009 Webby Awards, and Obama Fly

Peanuts Live by Mike Relm

Wo Ai Ni Mommy on PBS

Wo Ai Ni Mommy on PBS

Wo Ai Ni Mommy made it television premiere this week on PBS. It’s a fascinating documentary about adoption told through the eyes of a child. What is it like to be torn from your Chinese foster family, put on a plane with strangers and wake up in a new country, family and culture? Stephanie Wang-Breal’s Wo Ai Ni (I Love You) Mommy is the story of Fang Sui Yong, an 8-year-old orphan, and the Sadowskys, the Long Island Jewish family that travels to China to adopt her. Sui Yong is one of 70,000 Chinese children now being raised in the United States. Through her eyes, we witness her struggle with a new identity as she transforms from a timid child into someone that no one — neither her new family nor she — could have imagined. What is unusual here, however, is that viewers witness Sui Yong’s first encounters with her new parents and her sometimes unsettling shift from being Chinese to identifying herself as an American. This film is an honest and intimate portrait of loss and gain. As an outreach tool, it raises important questions about cultural preservation, transracial and international adoption, parenting, family and what it means to be an American, what it means to be Chinese and what it means to be white.

Check your local listings for air times. If it’s not available in your area, you can watch Wo Ai Ni Mommy streamed online through November 30, 2010. Watch here. After watching the film, read the discussion guide to share the insights you got from the film.

Wo Ai Ni Mommy Trailer

Wo Ai Ni Mommy director Stephanie Wang Breal Interview

Donna Sadowsky interview

Jeremy Lin inspires the kids

Jeremy Lin inspires the kids

One week after Jeremy Lin signed with the Golden State Warriors, he’s already speaking to kids at Warriors Basketball Camp for kids ages 7 to 15 . In his previous interviews, he’s talked a lot about being a role model. Listen to his speech about skill development, the importance of fundamentals, and a healthy team attitude. It might even inspire you. Are you passionate about what you’re doing?

During this event we learned that Jeremy Lin was flying out to Taiwan to play in Yao Ming’s Charity game. He was invited by Yao Ming personally.

If you’ve got a kid that wants to sign up for Warriors Basketball Camp, get more info here. Look for more Jeremy Lin footage soon.

Jeremy Lin inspires the kids