Expat Parent January 2021

FREE EVERY MONTH

FAMILY | DINING | HOME | EDUCATION

the really useful magazine hongkongliving.com

January 2021

2 | EXPAT PARENT

CONTENTS — 0 1/ 2 1

14

Cover Story Head into 2021 looking fabulous at these kids clothing stores

2 EDITOR’S LETTER

Hello from the hot desk

6 PLANNER

19 EDUCATION

Meet this month’s team

Events to look forward to this year

8 NEWS

Your monthly local news roundup

A family day out in Tai O

36 BOOK CLUB

12 MUST HAVES

Meet Bek Joyce, founder of Jewel Jam

4 CONTRIBUTORS

30 BIG DAY OUT

11 ME & MY BIG IDEA

Gear up for the ultimate family day out

School founder Anne Sawyer on the magic of a Montessori education

Author Jo Anne introduces classical music to kids in her Happy Gabby series

6

23 HK BABY

Baby’s first haircut? These salons have you covered

26 DINING 23

Chef Dirk Haltenhof of Four Seasons Hotel on raising foodies of the future

26

30

36

26

“Dressing up begins at age 5 and never truly ends.” - Kate Spade

EXPAT PARENT | 1

editor’s Letter

who’s in charge?

It’s the year we’ve all been waiting for. 2021 is finally here and we want to greet this most-anticipated of all years in style. Our cover story explores the best kids clothing stores in Hong Kong - from Petit Bateau’s perfectly patterned rompers to Bonne Mère’s gorgeous nightgowns, get your little ones set for a stylish year (page 14).

With Chinese New Year fast approaching, it could be time for baby’s first haircut and where better than The Mandarin Barber? Their barber shares advice on how to prepare your little one for their first cut (page 22).

Meanwhile, we catch up with school founder Anne Sawyer to learn about the magic of a Montessori education (page 19) and Shweta Soni explores family-friendly things to do in Tai O. Wishing you all a fantastic start to 2021.

Editorial editorial@hongkongliving.com Editor-in-chief Nicole Slater

Editor Gemma Shaw

Digital Editor Ching Yuen

Design vicky@hongkongliving.com Graphic Designer Vicky Lam

Graphic Designer Yankee Tsang

Sales & Marketing talk@hongkongliving.com Director of Content Hilda Chan

Head of Digital Content Isamonia Chui

Circulation Manager Pranali Gupta

Partnership Manager Elaine Li

Sales & Partnership Manager Debbie Ky

Publisher

Editor’s picks

Matt Eaton matt@hongkongliving.com

Founding Director Tom Hilditch tom@hongkongliving.com

Contact us Admin: 3568 3722 | Editorial: 2776 2773 | Advertising: 2776 2772 Published by Hong Kong Living Ltd, L1 Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong

In celebration of literary voyages, Aesop has released five seasonal gift kits designed to send recipients on a sensory journey. In a bid to treat my skin more kindly, I’m kicking off with The Ardent Nomad set which combines parsley seed facial cleanser, antioxidant toner and serum. aesop.com

2 | EXPAT PARENT

Parent & Baby Awards 2021

Expat Parent is proud to launch our very first Parent & Baby Awards, a new initiative to celebrate the best products for pregnancy, babies and new parents on the market right now. If you have a product you absolutely can not live without, we want to hear from you. Email us at editorial@hongkongliving.com

HONG KONG hongkongliving.com Expat Parent is published by Hong Kong Living Ltd. This magazine is published on the understanding that the publishers, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors and omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication. The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a reader of this publication or not, in respect of any action or omission by this publication. Expat Parent cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies provided by advertisers or contributors. The views herein are not necessarily shared by the staff or publishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

Photo credit: Sam Elsom Photo courtesy of: Bonne Mère

The Ardent Nomad skincare set

Printer Apex Print Limited, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, Hong Kong

EXPAT PARENT | 3

contributors Thank you to our contributors

The Mandarin Barber Baby’s first haircut at The Mandarin Barber is a bucket list experience. In our Hong Kong Baby section, The Mandarin Barber shares tips on how to prepare your little one for his first haircut.

Aude Camus Born and raised in Paris, Aude Camus is stylish mama to baby Noa and managing editor of city guide, Hong Kong Madame. Find out how she plans to kick the year off in style on page 7. @hongkongmadame

Shweta Soni Dirk Haltenhof Dirk Haltenhofis executive chef at Four Seasons Hong Kong. Originally from Black Forest in Germany, he has worked in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, arriving in Hong Kong last year.

Over a delicious afternoon tea, Dirk shares on how to raise little foodies in Hong Kong.

A teacher by profession, Shweta Soni recently embarked on an internship with the Hong Kong Living team to deepen her knowledge of the publishing industry. This month, Shweta met with the founder of International Montessori School to about learn the magic of a Montessori education.

Amber Lai Amber Lai recently joined the Hong Kong Living team as dining editor. She rounds up Hong Kong’s latest restaurant openings and gossip from the dining scene on page 29.

Want to write for Expat Parent? Contact editorial@hongkongliving.com 4 | EXPAT PARENT

EXPAT PARENT | 5

what’s on Dates for your diary this year

Photo: SUNNY LEE

These events are scheduled to go ahead in 2021

JAN 23

HK50

Choose from distances of 6km, 10km, 25km or 54km. 7am-5pm. $280. Shing Mun Reservoir Catchwater, Tsuen Wan. actionasiaevents.com

JAN 14

JAN 19-31

Join Hong Kong Academy to learn about their exceptional programmes and meet the Principals. Primary and Secondary school sessions available. Register today at hkacademy.edu.hk

Co-organised by Hong Kong Sailing Federation and Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, racers will compete in four races across the south of the island. 9am-6.30pm.

Free. hongkongraceweek.com

HKA Virtual Open House

Hong Kong Race Week

FEB 12-15

Chinese New Year Kung Hei Fat Choi. Welcome the Year of the Ox.

MAY 21-23 Art Basel

Postponed from March, enjoy artworks from over 200 leading international galleries.

Details yet to be announced. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. artbasel.com

6 | EXPAT PARENT

what’s on JUN 14

Dragon Boat Festival Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth moon every year, watch local and international teams compete across the city. dragonboat.org.hk

SEP 21

Mid-Autumn Festival Lanterns, mooncakes and celebrations light up the sky.

NOV 26-28 Clockenflap

Drumroll…. Hong Kong’s biggest music event is set to go ahead this year. Artists yet to be announced. Central Harbourfront Event Space. clockenflap.com

NOV 5-7

Rugby Sevens Rescheduled once again, we’ve got everything crossed for this year’s Sevens to go ahead.

Details yet to be announced. Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Causeway Bay. hksevens.com

DEC 25

Christmas Day And that’s a wrap! (Christmas is never cancelled)

Mum about town Aude Camus shares her plans to kick off the new year in style on children’s books, Lili et le Prince has an excellent range of brand new books and Une Autre Histoire is great for secondhand finds.

We will also be going for cosy and indulgent treats, to keep us warm. I’m thinking cheeky mummy-daughter afternoon tea dates at The St. Regis Drawing Room and The Lounge at Four Seasons. For when we

feel like staying in, Relish’s high tea sets delivered to the doorstep are a great option.

Last but not least, I am planning to make the most of The Grounds before it closes at the end of this month. We’ll be enjoying outdoor screenings all snuggled up in a cosy blanket, fueled with delicious food delivered from BaseHall.

New year calls for new experiences and starting this month, Noa will be joining the Rollers Program at Woodland Preschool for two hours a week. A great opportunity for her to develop her senses and motor skills and for me to marvel at how quickly she’s growing. The “cold” winter months mean we will be spending more time at home and I am planning to stock up The St. Regis Drawing Room

EXPAT PARENT | 7

news

Maternity leave increase an issue

Kellett School gets sporty Kellett School has appointed international rugby player Jamie Hood and former South England netball player Suzanne Gardner as Head of Rugby Sevens and Head of Netball respectively. They bring with them experience in coaching, playing and teaching. With the new additions, Kellett seeks to cement itself as one of the top sporting schools in the

Staying safe Adhering to ever-changing government restrictions, Airbnb has announced that hosts and guests must agree to follow its Covid-19 Safety Practices, which include wearing a mask, practising social distancing, and, for hosts, abiding by a five-step enhanced cleaning process. All hosts in Hong Kong are now prompted to commit to the new practices and guests will be asked to agree to the guidelines when they book a listing. To ensure the rules are followed, those who do not commit may be subject to warnings, suspensions and, in some cases, removal from the Airbnb platform. airbnb.com

8 | EXPAT PARENT

region. “We’re absolutely thrilled to have such high-calibre athletes joining Kellett’s team teaching sport, and we look forward to seeing many more personal and team successes for our students in the future,” says Principal & CEO Mark Steed. Discover more about Kellett School and its sports programme at kellettschool.com

On 11 December 2020, statutory maternity leave in Hong Kong increased from 10 to 14 weeks.

While good news for many women, a recent study by PathFinders revealed heightened challenges this will present for pregnant migrant domestic workers (MDW) and their employers.

The study found that while the majority of MDW employers believe a pregnant MDW should be entitled to maternity protection, most consider MDW pregnancy unacceptable due to the inconvenience caused to the household.

PathFinders has all too often witnessed pregnant MDWs being illegally terminated from employment or pressured to resign, because the employer simply didn’t have a feasible solution for maternity cover. One proposed solution would be to allow for temporary cover of a MDW’s duties while she is on maternity leave, however, this would require changes to the existing visa policies. PathFinders plans discuss solutions with relevant government bodies and welcomes readers’ views at info@pathfinders.org.hk

news

The Hari comes to town Heritage hotel The Hari opened its doors on Lockhart Road last month. This is the second hotel opened by the Harilela Family with its first one located in London. Designed by Tara Bernerd the hotel has 210 designer bedrooms, overlooking Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, The Peak and Victoria Harbour, two restaurants and bars, a fitness centre and art gallery. The Hari encourages guests to explore the local neighbourhood with the team ready to share insider knowledge of the best places to visit during your stay. thehari.com

Learn German Kick off the year with new language skills.

Goethe-Institut Hong Kong, the only provider of internationally recognised German examination in the city, has opened up enrolment for its Adult, Teens, and Kids courses in 2021. Adults (16 years and over) looking to learn German or

to further enhance their language skills can sign up for Goethe-Institut’s five-course terms of 2021. Teens and kids courses are also open for enrolment, with 12- or 15-week in-classroom course options. For more course details, visit goethe.de

EXPAT PARENT | 9

me & my big idea

10 | EXPAT PARENT

me & my big idea

Party rock Founded by New Zealander Bek Joyce, Jewel Jam parties offer a unique type of edu-tainment for your kids. By Charmaine Ng Imagine a birthday party where each excited guest is focused, quiet and engaged. Each child takes home their own keepsake jewellery designed with their own hearts and hands, as well as a goody bag containing a compact mirror and stickers. Days, months and even years on, they can look back, admire what they’ve made and know they have a totally unique set of jewellery.

A Jewel Jam event is a one-of-a-kind entertainment option for Hong Kong families.

It’s creative, educational and offers a full range of age and developmentally appropriate activities. Since its founding, the company has gained a steadfast following, particularly within the expat community.

It all began in 2009, when New Zealandborn Bek Joyce moved from her native country to Hong Kong. After settling down on Lamma Island, she decided that the local market needed something special – something more sparkly – when it came to birthday parties.

Combining her teaching background with jewellery expertise and love for all things glittery, she formed Jewel Jam, a mobile service that brings jewellery making parties to families.

Each Jewel Jam party begins with children making their own necklace. Whilst this is happening Bek, who calls herself the CSO (Chief Sparkle Officer), teaches them the concept of making a repeating pattern and points out the difference between symmetrical and asymmetrical patterns.

After the children finish their necklace, Bek will use a necklace clasp and tools to finish the jewellery. The children will then choose which item to create next – perhaps a beaded bag tag, a bracelet or even a beaded bookmark. Finally, the party wraps up with everyone making a beaded pen together.

“The countdown at the beginning when we open the Jewel Jam case is quite special because of the reaction from the parents and kids – there’s a rush of pure excitement,” says Bek, who smiles as she recalls the happy faces of her customers. “After the children have chosen their jars of beads, they usually become quietly immersed in designing a pattern on their beading tray. Parents don’t usually believe me when I tell them this may happen, as usually birthday parties are very noisy!”

At the time of this interview, Jewel Jam parties are still able to go ahead as they are usually small scale events in a private residence.

In the age of Covid-19, however, Bek insists everyone wear their masks for the duration of the jewellery making at the party. “We’re all used to the mask policy in Hong Kong so it’s not something we really experience as a challenge,” she says.

At the end of the day, seeing the variety of what children make at parties is what motivates Bek to keep growing the business and make Jewel Jam more accessible for children in the city. Working with kids, she is reminded of the unlimited nature of creativity and endless possibilities that can be made.

“Jewel Jam is a fun business to run, with a focus on creativity and learning a new skill.

It’s immensely satisfying to host a party for a group of children, teaching them how to make something completely unique.”

Contact Jewel Jam for a unique way to help your children celebrate their birthday in style and create some very special memories. jewel-jam.com.hk

EXPAT PARENT | 11

MUST HAVES Men's trainer earth red $750 from Lane-Eight laneeight.hk Macrame bra $450 from Sparks Asia sparks-asia.com

Studio-to-street highrise $450 from Sparks Asia sparks-asia.com

A walk wild

Xxxxxxxxx Explore the great outd Impala rollerskates $891 from Smallable smallable.com

12 | EXPAT PARENT

MUST HAVES

T5 True wireless earphones $1999 from Klipsch klipschaudio.hk

WIP old stamp deck $600 from 8FIVE2 8five2.com

k on the d side

Chinoiserie jade yoga mat $580 from The White Labelling thewhitelabelling.com

doors in style. By Nicole Slater TILT 120 folding bike $1,299 from Decathlon decathlon.com.hk

Camping tent Arpenaz $399 from Decathlon decathlon.com.hk

EXPAT PARENT | 13

Photo: Bonne Mère

cover story

Baby got style Head into 2021 looking fabulous at these kids clothing stores.

By Gemma Shaw

14 | EXPAT PARENT

Bonne Mère

Petit Tippi

Bonne Mère is a boutique designer brand that creates elegant clothing and homeware items for babies and children up to ten years old. Founder Nicole Mair is an Australian born designer with 25 years experience working with leading and renowned American and Australian fashion and costume designers. With a focus on timeless design, products can be handed down to future little Bonne Mère people encouraging a sustainable lifestyle and conscious long term choices.

Shop online at bonnemere.com

Hong Kong-based online store Petit Tippi is a one-stop shop for natural, organic and eco-friendly baby products. Their clothing range includes cloth diapers, sleep sacks and swaddles.

Everything is made with your child’s well-being and the sustainability of their future in mind. The store also has a baby registry and runs workshops hosted by industry professionals offering advice on a whole host of topics, ranging from cloth diapering to gentle sleep training at their workshop space in Sai Ying Pun. petittippi.com

cover story Chinadoll Kids

Velveteen

Chinadoll Kids aims to fill the gap between modern and traditional with a range of bespoke dresses inspired by the qipao, a Chinese dress dating from the seventeenth century. Founder Amy Djokovic’s contemporary interpretation combines modern prints with traditional layering to create a luxurious fusion of east and west. Garments are made using locally sourced limited edition fabrics, each piece is tailored and hand finished with beading and embellishments. chinadollkids.com

Luxury childrenswear brand Velveteen strives to create a universe of beautiful, ethical products that bring joy and self confidence to children around the world. While the brand has a prestigious global following, the flagship store is located right here in Causeway Bay. Founder and creative director, Laura Egloff believes that clothes shouldn’t cost the earth, ‘We’re driven by the mission to help children around the world become the leaders of tomorrow by making them feel valued today,’ she says. As such, the brand works directly with suppliers to deliver the consumer excellent quality at honest prices. velveteenclothing.com

Pepper and Mint Retykle This much-loved online store founded by expat Sarah Garner focuses on buying and selling high-end, second hand children’s clothing from top brands including Bonpoint, Jacadi and Ralph Lauren. After having her first child, Sarah recognised that raising little tykes can be costly

and hard on the environment. She opened Asia’s first online trading platform for parents to buy and sell children’s clothes. Shoppers can enjoy up to 90 percent off original clothing prices. Retykle now has a permanent store in Wong Chuk Hang. retykle.com

Ralph Lauren

Jacadi

It’s practically impossible for kids not to look stylish when dressed in Ralph Lauren. If you’re looking to splurge, Ralph Lauren stocks timeless classics for babies and children. The flagship childrenswear store is located in Prince’s Building while discounts can be found at the outlet in Tung Chung. ralphlauren.com.hk

Established in 1976, high-end Parisian brand Jacadi offers bodysuits, jumpsuits and rompers for newborns through to everyday and special occasion wear for children up to 12 years old.

The brand’s signature style is a combination of heritage French dressing with modern and contemporary touches. Stores located in Central and Causeway Bay. jacadi.us

Pepper & Mint soft sole shoes will keep those tiny toes and chubby ankles warm and looking mighty stylish. Each pair is intricately handcrafted in Indonesia and they are made using 100% soft cotton lining, breathable canvas linen, and premium antislip soles to prevent your little ones from slipping. Part of the proceeds from sales will be donated to Volunteer for the Visayans, a children’s charity in the Philippines. pepperandmintboutique.com

EXPAT PARENT | 15

cover story

Kids Dress Smart This online platform sells new and preloved clothing from designer brands such as Armani, Bonpoint, Jacadi, Il Gufo, Petit Bateau, Juicy Couture and more. Parents can extend the life of their children’s outgrown clothing by selling (and receiving cash or credit) or donating them. When you donate, KiDS gives 60% of sales to charity.

To date, the brand has helped to raise over $100,000 for non-profit organisations. kidsdresssmart.com

Baby Central Baby Central was created by two mums who wanted to spend more time with their babies and less time running around the shops. The online store stocks everything you’ll need for a baby under one roof. As well as clothing from brands such as Aden + Anais, Love To Dream and Baby Hero, the store also stocks books, toys, maternity wear and feeding supplies. Same day delivery to many areas in Hong Kong. babycentral.com.hk

Little Islanders Inspired by heritage and crafted with love, Little Islanders is a Hong Kong kidswear brand that works with artisan weavers in the Philippines and expert dressmakers in Hong Kong to create modern hand-loomed pieces which honour traditional craft and celebrate the joy of childhood. Once Upon a Time is their latest holiday collection inspired by the power and beauty of storytelling, and the nostalgia of old Hong Kong. little-islanders.com

16 | EXPAT PARENT

Mothercare Mothercare is the world’s biggest retail specialist in newborn and parenting products. Since arriving in Hong Kong in 1992, the brand now has 10 stores across the city with its flagship store located in Lee Garden Two. Stores carry a wide range of clothing including bodysuits, onesies, rompers, dresses and accessories for newborns through to eight years old. mothercare.com.hk

cover story

TinyBitz TinyBitz is a homegrown brand with a strong focus on thoughtful baby gifting.

Their personalised blanket range allows customers to effortlessly craft their very own personalised knit-to-order blankets, by selecting from a range of colours and fonts.

A collection of personalisable baby onesies and kids and adults tees as well as ‘growing kits’ which grow with your baby are also available. tinybitz.com

Marks & Spencer

Cotton Pigs

Beloved British brand Marks & Spencer offers a complete range of babies and kids clothes including sleepsuits, rompers and partywear. Recent ranges include Harry Potter, Disney and Peppa Pig. marksandspencer.com

Founded by Hong Kong mama Stephanie Zhu just last year, Cotton Pigs offers gorgeous reversible baby outfits and accessories made from the softest organic cotton. Every product is reversible so great for on-the-go tots, whilst also being sustainable. Cotton Pigs has a store at The Peak Galleria, or order online with free delivery for orders over $250. cottonpigs.com

Petit Bateau Established in 1893, much-loved French brand Petit Bateau continues to be an upmarket staple for Hong Kong parents, kids and babies with its carefully perfected and unique clothing that is comfortable and fun to wear. Petit Bateau currently has six locations in Hong Kong including stores in Prince’s Building, Central and Lee Gardens, Causeway Bay. petit-bateau.hk

Bonpoint Bonpoint is a luxury French fashion house catering to newborns through to 14 years old. Since opening in Paris in 1975, the brand has grown with stores in 30 countries across the world. Excellent for occasion wear, Bonpoint’s beautifully-designed garments are fully-lined for maximum comfort. Stores in Central, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui. bonpoint.com

Charlie Banana Founded by Hong Kong-based French designer Gaëlle Wizenberg in 2010, Charlie Banana has since become globally recognised for retailing reusable baby and feminine products which are gentle on skin and gentle on the planet. The brand has sold over one million cloth diapers and won numerous awards for their diapers, swim and training pants which are expertly designed to protect against leaks and come in a range of beautiful designs.

Charlie Banana became the world’s first climate neutral certified cloth diaper brand in 2020. The company also commits one percent of all sales to tackle climate change and support environmental causes. hk.charliebanana.com

EXPAT PARENT | 17

EDUCATION

18 | EXPAT PARENT

EDUCATION

For the joy of learning Shweta Soni speaks to school founder Anne Sawyer about the magic of a Montessori education

Founded in 2002, the International Montessori School (IMS) offers Montessori curriculum in an immersive dual language setting that allows each child to reach their full potential in a nurturing and supportive environment. With four different campuses across Hong Kong, IMS caters to students aged 3-12 years old and helps to develop well-rounded individuals at their own pace, within a child-centred curriculum.

The beginning Nineteen years ago, a small group of parents got together because they wanted something different for their children and were convinced that learning could, and should, be done joyously, without three hours of homework each night. They also wanted to provide their children with a natural and joyful environment in which

to learn to read, write and speak Chinese to a native level so that they could live and work in Hong Kong - or develop globally transferable language skills.

School founders Anne Sawyer and Karin Ann were both drawn to the scientific basis of the Montessori learning method. “I attended 13 schools all over the world - in the US, Germany and the UK, including a

Montessori upper elementary in Germany between the ages of 9 and 11. It was that Montessori environment and approach to learning which changed the way I thought,�

Sawyer says.

And thus, IMS was born in a converted office on Queens Road East with 68 children as an authentic Montessori school, which follows the Montessori Pedagogy as defined

by Dr. Maria Montessori and is deeply rooted in the teacher training offered by the Association Montessori Internationale. From those humble beginnings, IMS has grown to nearly 1,000 children aged 3 to 12 years old in four different campuses that serve all the major catchments of Hong Kong Island.

Accredited by the International Montessori Council in 2012, IMS is now one of the largest Montessori programmes in the

EXPAT PARENT | 19

20 | EXPAT PARENT

EDUCATION world and a global pioneer of the English and Chinese Montessori dual-language programme.

The dual language setup Layered throughout every IMS programme and environment is the dual language culture where both Chinese and English language and cultures are equally important. The school pioneers the Chinese dual Language environment - every classroom has two teachers, one who only speaks English and one who only speaks Putonghua to create a natural language learning environment.

“Essentially, it’s like a family with two parents and 25 kids. Each parent is firmly committed to only speaking their own heart language,” says Sawyer. “If you are running in the hall, it depends which teacher sees you first whether the reminder to walk comes out in Mandarin or English. It’s a natural language environment.”

“Parents see IMS kids in the playgrounds or on a field trip and want to know who they are they are different,” Sawyer says.

Cruising through challenges during the pandemic

Mixed age classrooms At IMS, every environment has two teachers guiding the 25 children in the class, who are generally equally split between first, second and third year children. These children are either in a lesson with one of the teachers, or choosing their own work. The older children are encouraged to help the younger ones, which gives them confidence as they become an ‘expert’ but soon realise that to explain something to another person requires them to really understand. This reinforcement of knowledge, coupled with motivation results in incredible academic achievement as well as social and character development. “It’s a push me - pull you effect,” Sawyer says.

The Montessori learner Montessori children are always on a positive mission to be better, to explore more creatively, to dive down new avenues. IMS enables its students to become positive change agents in their world. Joy is a key component of an IMS classroom and experience, where teachers encourage children to become their best selves and inculcate in them an innate love of learning.

When the school started in 2002, they saw the outbreak of SARS that very first year.

For Sawyer, it was the community of parents and teachers that made the difference then, and that has shone through yet again during Covid-19. But this hasn’t come without its fair share of challenges. The biggest challenge has been how to support parents with their little ones. The school braced itself and developed Montessori workshops in English and Chinese, as well as technology workshops to help parents and domestic helpers with the new platforms in both English and Tagalog.

This foundation of bridging practice between home and school has really helped each child to transition back and forth between home and school learning when everything is in a new format and people are wearing

masks. Elementary students have risen to the occasion and written songs, produced their own online talent show and planned a farmer’s market. Now that is some ingenuity.

Parents speak Melissa Brewster has three girls at IMS aged seven, nine and eleven and couldn’t be happier with her choice of school, where the kids are not just passengers, but are driving the ship as well, she says. Speaking of her experience with online home learning, Brewster is most impressed with the amazing job IMS has done with emulating what happens in the classroom and bringing it home. Another parent, Vivian Yuen, whose son, age three, now attends IMS says, the school put a lot of effort into preparing videos and designing various work for the kids. “I can truly see the beauty of Montessori in it. I see growth in my child.”

To find out more about the International Montessori School visit ims.edu.hk

EXPAT PARENT | 21

dining

22 | EXPAT PARENT

hk baby

The Mandarin Barber

Baby’s first cut The best barbers and hairdressers for your baby’s first haircut.

By Gemma Shaw EXPAT PARENT | 23

dining

24 | EXPAT PARENT

hk baby specially trained to cut kids’ hair including newborn babies and salons are designed with a sense of fun to put kids at ease. During the haircut, kids get to sit on carousel animals and watch their favourite cartoons. A cut and finish for children under 14 years old costs $350 and includes a certificate for first time cuts. magicmirror.com.hk

Private i Garden Kids Salon

Private i Garden Kids Salon The Mandarin Barber If you’re looking to have your baby’s first haircut in Hong Kong, The Mandarin Barber is a bucket list experience. Located on the second floor of the hotel, the men’s salon traditionally offers shaving and hair services to a loyal clientele in a warm and welcoming environment. On Sundays between the hours of 9am and 11am, the VIP treatment room can be booked for a 30-minute Baby’s First Haircut service which is priced at $695. The

Prepare for baby’s first cut Tips from The Mandarin Barber

If both parents are not available, then bring the baby along with the parent that the child is likely to be the most calm with.

Getting a first haircut in unfamiliar surroundings can be stressful for the child so bring along their favourite toy or comforter.

experience includes a certificate signed by the barber with a lock of hair placed in a frame to treasure forever. The Mandarin Barber also offers regular children’s cuts throughout the week starting from $400 for under 12’s.

Reservations required. mandarinoriental.com

Gentlemen’s Tonic Gentlemen’s Tonic is an international spa and hair concept founded in London in 2004.

It has since expanded to select locations across the Middle East, India, Mexico and Asia, with a Hong Kong salon located on Wellington Street, Central. Its philosophy is to provide the perfect antidote to the stresses and strains of modern life. Barbers are trained in cutting children’s hair and on weekend mornings, a ‘Father and Son Haircut & Finish’ experience costs $840 and includes Bloody Marys for Dad and cartoons for little ones. gentlemenstonic.com

Parents need to be prepared to assist in helping our barbers to keep the child as still as possible, although our team is very accustomed to children moving around and not keeping their head still.

An ipad with their favourite movie provides a good distraction, although we do have built in TVs that we play cartoons on a Sunday morning.

Lastly, aim for the child to have a good sleep the night before to minimise any grumpiness.

PRIVATE i SALON Group opened its first kids salon to help parents get the right styles and images for their children in 2012. It now operates three dedicated kids salons in Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Kowloon Tong. Styled like playrooms, the salons offer a fun and comfortable environment for the little ones to experience haircuts, styling and even manicuring services. Cut and finishes are priced from $350 while first hair experiences are priced from $600. privateigarden.com

Emmanuel f.

Emmanuel f.

Magic Mirror Voted within the three most entertaining hair salons in Hong Kong by CNN, Magic Mirror has provided a fun environment for kids to have their hair cut since 1992. Stylists are

Everything at this Sheung Wan-based salon is organic, from the products they use to the refreshments they serve, so great for baby’s soft skin. Little heads are washed lying on a bed while looking up at stars and distraction from the cut is provided in the form of kids books. A cut and finish is $330 for under 12’s. emmanuelf.com

EXPAT PARENT | 25

dining

Raising future foodies Executive chef Dirk Haltenhof of Four Seasons Hong Kong shares 10 ways to inspire little minds to appreciate good food. By Gemma Shaw 26 | EXPAT PARENT

dining entire family busy when cooking the annual Yuzu Jam in Japan.

8

9

have their own story to tell - be inquisitive and take the time to listen and learn with your kids.

3 4 5 1 2

Presentation is key. When catering to children, it’s important to separate the ingredients because kids like to mix things up themselves, or eat one particular part of the dish first and not mix the ingredients at all.

Try Michelin-starred restaurants, but also visit street food stalls. They all

6 7

Listen to kids. For example, when creating new concepts for the restaurant, I always ask my own kids what they would like to see on the menu.

10

Every kid should have a recipe or two up their sleeve. Start with pancakes. I don’t know any kid who doesn’t like to make, or eat, pancakes and the recipe teaches children the basic technique of making a cake.

They learn how to adapt a recipe, for example, by changing ratios a pancake mixture can become a solid cookie or a soufflé.

The food offering in Hong Kong is hugely diverse. There are incredible Asian, Western and fusion options. Unfortunately cooking at home isn’t as popular as in other parts of the world, partly due to the limited space. Recent lockdowns have encouraged more home cooking and I’ve run several kids’ cooking classes at the Four Seasons with the aim of inspiring future chefs of Hong Kong.

Take the time to talk about the food that is out there. Chef shows on Netflix are incredibly informative.

After watching, go shopping with your kids and take the time to find the right ingredients, then cook together and celebrate a successful meal.

Teach your kids how to identify good from bad. When shopping for ingredients, discuss price, quality and also where to find the right ingredients.

Now when my daughters shop with my wife, they will often advise which fruit or products to buy.

Variety is key. My kids have grown up in four different countries, their mother is Japanese and I am German. They are very good eaters. Aged 10 and 12 years old, they have tried more exotic food than I had at 26.

Kids like to recognise what they are eating. Once they learn what is in a dish and how it is made, they try to experiment more.

I started cooking with my kids at two and four years old. They were playful at the beginning, but having fun in the kitchen got them interested. Now aged 10 and 12, they know plenty of recipes.

We cook together every week. We get the

Dirk Haltenhof, Four Seasons Hong Kong

EXPAT PARENT | 27

dining

28 | EXPAT PARENT

Dining news

dining NEWS

Ask for Alonzo, again?

Ask for Alonzo has opened a third restaurant in Happy Valley. The new spacious location serves delicious Mediterranean fare to a steady following

with a soft spot for pasta. Dishes include a fragrant parma ham tortellini, spicy spaghetti al vongole and a classic lasagne bolognese. askforalonzo.com

Italian eatery in Tai Kwun New Italian restaurant, Pazta recently opened at Hong Kong’s former Central Police Station, Tai Kwun. The casual eatery serves up antipasti, pastas, seafood and bite-size pizzette, inspired by regions across Italy including Tuscany, Bologna and Rome. A la carte, set lunch and

dinner menus are available as well as a daily happy hour. taikwun.hk

Classified Rises through pandemic New artisan bakery and café, Rise by Classified officially opened its doors last month at Exchange Square Podium, Central.

The Classified Group already operate seven European-styled cafés across Hong Kong as well as popular restaurant The Pawn in Wan Chai. Rise by Classified is an artisanal bakery concept catering to on-the-go customers with a selection of freshly baked pastries, light meals and sweet treats. risebyclassified.com

EXPAT PARENT | 29

big day out

Trippin’ to Tai O Shweta Soni explores family-friendly things to do in the “Venice of the Orient” Well known for iconic stilt houses and a quaint atmosphere, Tai O is a hidden gem tucked away along the northwest coast of Lantau Island. With boating, hiking and a huge variety of yummy dishes on the menu, a day out at this idyllic fishing village is sure to please kids and adults alike.

What to do Tackle Tiger Mountain If you fancy stretching your legs, this short

30 | EXPAT PARENT

hike is perfect for little legs. Tiger Mountain (Fu Shan in Chinese) is not as intimidating as it sounds; a 15-minute walk takes you from Tai O village up to the Kau San Tei Lookout Pavilion.

From here, look out across stunning vistas of the ocean and catch a glimpse of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge.

Temple hopping Home to a variety of temples and shrines, Tai O is a history-lover’s dream. Stop by Kwan Tai Temple, the oldest temple in the village and a Grade II historical Hong Kong building. Built

in the Ming Dynasty, the temple is dedicated to Kwan Tai, a military general of the Three Kingdoms era. The colourful details of the

Big day out

temple are delightfully enthralling and will capture the imaginations of little ones.

Stroll around the lanes Tai O Market Street is home to many local delicacies including dried seafood, shrimp paste and pearl jewellery. Stroll around the lanes to sample the street food delicacies that Tai O is most famous for. Highlights include fish balls, Chinese pancakes (the ‘husband pancake’ tops the list), waffles, frozen fruit and ice cream. On Kat Hing Street, join the queue for what are regarded as Hong Kong’s best sugar donuts at Tai O Bakery.

Take a boat tour Hong Kong Dolphinwatch Ltd has been operating ecological boat tours out of Tai O since 1995. Hop aboard to witness some of Tai O’s unique landmarks including General’s Rock, the Tai O Heritage Hotel and hopefully catch a glimpse of the endangered Chinese

pink dolphins. Tours run every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Check the website for the latest information. hkdolphinwatch.com

Where to eat Tai O Banyan Tree Featured on the Netflix series, Restaurants on the Edge in 2019, reservations are recommended at this gift shop-cafe combo run by Charlene Tang and her partner Clifford Wong. Homemade cakes, salads and pastas can be enjoyed on the terrace while the gift shop stocks unique artisan products and runs regular workshops. Exclusively open on weekends. @taiobanyantree

Tai O Crossing Boat Restaurant For a taste of Tai O’s specialty cuisine, head to Tai O Crossing Boat Restaurant to sample fresh

EXPAT PARENT | 31

big day out

32 | EXPAT PARENT

Big day out

seafood and classic Cantonese-style stir-fry dishes made using Tai O’s renowned shrimp paste, dried seafood and pork. 2985 8343

Solo Located in a traditional stilt house, Solo is an artisanal coffee shop which serves up hot and cold drinks alongside a selection of homemade desserts. The outdoor terrace is the perfect spot to indulge in afternoon tea and cakes, whilst enjoying the calm surroundings. 9153 7453

Where to stay Tai O Heritage Hotel The former Tai O Police Station which is idyllically situated on lush hillside overlooking Tai O, underwent major renovation to reopen as a charming nine-room hotel in 2012. Guests have since flocked to marvel at the hotel’s elegant colonial-style interior which was largely maintained during the building works. Rumour has it that the hotel was fully booked throughout

2020 so be sure to book your 2021 staycation early. Free guided tours of the premises are offered daily. taioheritagehotel.com

How to get there: Take the MTR to Tung Chung and then hop in a taxi or take bus 11. If you want to make a real day trip of it, you could take the Ngong Ping Cable Car to Ngong Ping Village then board bus 21.

EXPAT PARENT | 33

marketplace

34 | EXPAT PARENT

To advertise, email talk@hongkongliving.com or call 2776 2772.

marketplace

To advertise, email talk@hongkongliving.com or call 2776 2772.

marketplace

GET LISTED! 2776 2772

talk@hongkongliving.com

EXPAT PARENT | 35

book club

The enchanted world of Happy Gabby’s musical adventures Hong Kong author Jo Anne discusses her classical music book series with Shweta Soni How did the idea of writing the Happy Gabby series come about?

Our son is our inspiration and every character in the book is somebody he knows or something that’s very dear to him. The eureka moment came when he was humming Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Saint-Saëns’ Fossils even before he spoke, having been exposed to classical music from a young age. I decided to publish a music book for young readers up to seven years of age.

Kids love looking at vivid images, listening to music, being read to by their parents, and pressing buttons, and as such I decided to combine all of that in one book.

Why did you choose ‘animal’ theme for the two new books?

There are many reasons why we decided to choose this theme. First of all, Fossils by Saint-Saens and Flight of the Bumblebee

by Rimsky-Korsakov are two of our little readers’ favourite pieces in our first book.

Kids are naturally fascinated by animals, even if some of them are a little scared. And every single piece of music by Saint-Saens in his suite The Carnival of Animals is just so beautiful and fun.

Do you have a personal favourite book in the series?

Every ‘book baby’ is different in its own way and comes with special memories. The church in Till Eulenspiegel Plays Merry Pranks was added when we had just come back from our summer in Geneva, and our son, Gabby told us that each village should have a church.

How can little ones get the most out of the books?

Begin by reading the title and composer names and text on each page to them. Point to the images, have a conversation with your child. Be silly. Use a funny voice. Ask them to look for Happy Gabby on each page and tell them what instrument he is playing. If they like a particular piece of music, find it

36 | EXPAT PARENT

on spotify or youtube and have them listen to the whole piece of music. The kids can keep themselves entertained with the books when parents are busy.

What plans do you have for the series?

We have created a music-based board game called I Speak Fluent Music to teach kids simple music signs and instruments.

We are also working on a Happy Gabby animation which we will premiere at the Happy Gabby Plays Classical Music with the Hong Kong Philharmonic when the world opens up again.

When you’re not writing, how do you like to spend your time?

This has been an unprecedented year for

everyone. Our son has attended school for a total of 49 days this year. So when I am not writing or working, I spend a lot of time homeschooling and playing with him and truly treasure every moment of it. There is so much to be thankful for, despite this being a challenging year.

book club

EXPAT PARENT | 37

38 | EXPAT PARENT