2/14/2013

Town Hall/Information Session: Getting Your Child Into Modeling and Other Talent Work (with V&L)

At the end of 2012, I posted about modelling opportunities at V&L Models.  On February 23rd 2013, V&L will hold a "Town Hall" information event at Parents' Place in Neihu.  This is a great opportunity to hear about modelling in Taiwan, the situation for kids in particular, and for getting your child on the books of this company if you so choose.

I have taken a few bits of information from the Facebook page for the event.  You can also register or ask questions by using the Registration Page on the Parent's Place website.

Event Information:

2F, No. 315, Section 4, ChenGong Rd, Neihu District, 台北市內湖區成功路四段315號2F, Taipei, Taiwan 114 -February 23rd, 2013

A chance for parents to learn about modeling in Taiwan, in particluar working with V&L International Models.
Time: Feb. 23rd, 2013, 10am-12 noon
Snacks provided.
Bring your kids along so they can have a photo taken for a portfolio if it is something you decide to try with your children.
For more information about V&L International Models, go to: http://www.vnlmodels.com/
 
Just another quick note for those of you wanting to take advantage of our photo session. Please dress your children in their "Sunday Best". You might also want to consider bringing along a change of clothes so we might shoot them with a different look. We will also bring along our contract for those of you that do decide that this is something you want to pursue. So just in case, please also bring along your passports and ARCs/IDs.

Warland and I am truly looking forward to meeting with you on the 23rd. We are very exciting about sharing our expertise with you in order for you to make a very informed decision about joining the exciting world of Children's Modeling.
 

 You can contact Stewart Glen directly on tel.  0912-910-500 (TAIWAN) for more information.

 

2/13/2013

Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots - English Program through Parents' Place


Parents' Place owner Angie Chang is dedicated to environmental awareness, and to passing on this passion to children.  After much preparation, she is ready to make and English-language Roots and Shoots group happen in Neihu, Taiwan.  Your kids don't have to be native speakers of English, but it's definitely helpful to be fairly fluent/comfortable in an English-speaking environment.


I have been wanting to run a Roots and Shoots program at Parents Place for a while now and I would like to recruit a few parents to volunteer to help run it. It will be free of charge and available for all English speaking, school aged children in Taipei. I think it would be best to have several parents running it as all parents have so many other commitments. 

Please contact Angie through her website's contact page, or by contacting her on the Parents' Place Facebook page.



 http://rootsandshoots.org/
 
From the website:
What is Roots & Shoots?
Roots creep underground everywhere and make a firm foundation. Shoots seem very weak, but to reach the light, they can break open brick walls. Imagine that the brick walls are all the problems we have inflicted on our planet. Hundreds of thousands of roots & shoots, hundreds of thousands of young people around the world, can break through these walls. We CAN change the world. - Dr. Jane
The Roots & Shoots program is about making positive change happen—for our people, for animals and for the environment. With tens of thousands of young people in more than 120 countries, the Roots & Shoots network connects youth of all ages who share a desire to create a better world. Young people identify problems in their communities and take action. Through service projects, youth-led campaigns and an interactive website, Roots & Shoots members are making a difference across the globe.

2/11/2013

Keeping Up Your Child's English in the Taiwan Public School System

From the time I found I out I was pregnant with my first child in Taiwan, I have been committed to developing my children's English language skills to the level of a native speaker in my home country of New Zealand.  I expect my children to be able pass University exams and to present themselves well when speaking and writing English. I also crave for them to have a passion for, or at least an educated appreciation of, quality literature and poetry.  My children are still young (eight and six years old), but with my series of articles on Taiwan elementary school education options being published in Centered on Taipei magazine, and after observing how they are faring in a New Zealand school right now, I thought it timely to share some resources and strategies I have used from birth through to 2013.  This article focuses on the first two or three years.

We lived with my husband's parents in an apartment for the first six years of my eldest son's life. My husband and father-in-law both speak English, but spoke mostly Mandarin to my son.  I started singing Nursery Rhymes and traditional songs to my son from birth.  If parents can't remember any childhood songs, pregnancy is a great time to start a music collection, and to listen to the music, too.  I also had a collection of picture books, bath books, and cloth books ready.  Some of my favorite titles include:


That's Not My Puppy
That's Not My Puppy - one of a series of cute sensory books.
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Books were considered an integral part of both of my children's toy collections.  There was always one in my bag or on their strollers.  At just a few months old, they would look at the pages whilst waiting for my husband and I at cafes or at friends' houses.  For many expats, this is how their children started their literary journeys.  However, many of my Taiwanese families and friends were amazed that children so young could sit still and enjoy books.  My view is, just like carseats and bike helmets, these things can be integrated smoothly and without fuss at a very young age, and using them can end up being as natural as eating and sleeping.  (My children go hardly anywhere without a book, even now.)

The Spoken Word

Whilst I agree that baby talk, babble and cooing to your young child have their place in developing intimacy and communication, I feel there has been a considerable "dumbing-down" of language used when talking to young children, which in turn can limit their vocabulary and hinder reading development later on, particularly if you are the only native speaker communicating with your child.  I believe parents have a responsibility to let children hear the beauty of many English words and phrases, and to model grammatically correct sentences to their children.  Getting the level right can be a lot of trial and error, especially when children are very young.

This is where poetry and rhymes can prove a delightful way to share your culture and language with your children.  My Taiwanese family often say they are "amazed" at how many rhymes and poems my children know.  It's not rocket science; the more you recite, the more your children enjoy and retain.  Nursery Rhymes are still a great starting point, but there is also a mountain of contemporary poetry youngsters can enjoy.  Start with The Poetry Foundation's dedicated Children's Section, but don't be afraid to make up little rhymes of your own.

When out and about, be diligent about pointing out things in the world around you.  Not only the obvious buildings, trees, and signs, but also the names of flowers, insects, blades of grass, or a fading rainbow.  Use words like fading, brilliant, shiny, dull, enormous, serious... pink can be magneta or baby pink, red can be crimson or flame red.  Talk to your child face-to-face, one-on-one, and with affection and passion for the child, the language, and the world around you.  As best as you can, keep pronunciation clear.  I am always aware that in Taiwan, my children's English language development is a responsibility that falls squarely on my shoulders.  I try to use all the good lessons I learned as a child, no matter how annoying I may have found them at the time.

Building the Reading Habit

My Taiwanese family do not read for pleasure in front of the children.  My husband freely admits that, at age five, his son had read more books than he had in his entire life.  I grew up in a family of readers, where we spent time together daily in the living room, each of us with our own reading material.  Mum would often sneak into her room for a "bit of a read".  We were read bedtime stories every night.  The material was varied, that's for sure! 

I've worked really hard to develop this reading habit in my children.  From the time they were very small, I would read a book to them at each quiet point in the day, and at bedtime.  I did try to encourage the family to read Chinese stories to the children, even purchasing Chinese language picture books, but it was not successful.  Now the children are elemenatry-aged, it is apparent what effect this has had on their reading choices.  I am a bit concerned Chinese will be seen as a chore and English a pleasure, which is good for their English but also a bit sad.

The Taipei City Library has a huge selection of books for children.  Here is a quick how-to on the library, on my blog.  You can also refer to pages 12-13 of Centered on Taipei's May 2012 edition for a comprehensive instruction guide I wrote for library users.  If you want to purchase English books, Book Depository has a free shipping policy and books are reasonably-priced.  You can also visit or contact the Second-Hand bookstore in Jubei.

When the children are very little, you can spend hours poring over the pictures in the picture books.  You don't have to read the story word-for-word.  Illustrations in quality children's books tell many stories of their own.  Look for details.  The colors, style of illustration, expressions, clothing, even the paper, have been chosen with care and reason.  As children get older, you can enjoy many longer stories together. I will share some favorites in my next post.







2/02/2013

Elementary School Education In Taiwan - My Magazine Series

I finally got things together, and my first article on Elementary School Education in Taiwan was published in the Centered On Taipei magazine yesterday.  This article is an overview of options available.  The photo of the children at the bottom corner of the page was taken at my children's school, which I am writing about for the second article in the series.  I will also cover homeschooling in more depth the following month.

Young writer Leat Ahrony also gives her perspective on local education in this issue.  Ahrony transferred to international school after third grade. In the March issue, I will share the experiences of families who have moved through the higher grades of local public school.

Centered on Taipei magazine is the work of expats and locals in Taiwan.  It is a useful resource for residents of Taipei and Taiwan.  The magazine is free, but paying for a subscription is one way you can support this magazine. Details are in the magazine itself.

I'd love it if other families could share their experiences with the education system here.  If you have anything you would like to share, please comment or contact me and I can find a way to pass information to families considering moving to Taiwan and/or putting their children into school in Taiwan.