OK, so the summer promotions are starting.  What this means is that education centers and playgroups and schools are madly promoting their summer schedule.  I have been bombarded with pamphlets and information from both local and international organizations and quite truthfully, the advertising is working.  I am in their target market, so I have been busy reading up on the different programs available to Vanessa (who is now 3 years old).

The school season ends at the end of June and won’t start again until early September.  So that’s 2 whole months of “free time” for my daughter and 2 whole months of “extra child care” services from my in-laws (poor them).  I know how hard it is to care full-time for 2 young children and at their age, it’s even harder.  So to quell some of Vanessa’s boredom and to get her interested in further extra curricular activities, I’ve got on a hunt for activities to tire her out.

I’ve focused mainly on the East side of the Hong Kong island because that is where I dwell after all.  So below are some activities that I’ve enrolled her for already.  And NO, I am not a fanatic parent who puts her child in everything - I’ve actually asked for her consent before sending her and some are just trial classes.  As well, it may sound like her schedule’s quite packed, but keep in mind that she’s available 24/7!  And truthfully, I wish I had that kind of activities “buffet” to choose from as a kid!

Ballet

In Tai Koo Shing, Vivian Kwok School of Ballet is a great place to start your kids in some sort of physical activity.  I’m not saying I want my daughter to become a ballerina (far from it), but it’s something to do and try and see if she likes it.  They have FREE trial classes for children her age which runs for 45 minutes midday and teach the basics of movement and music and gives her a chance to interact with other children.

For kids 2-3 years in age, they have a joint session with the parents (runs only on Tuesdays and Thursdays).  For kids 3-4, these sessions are independent (45 minutes) and are available on weekends (perfect for the working mom).  Check out their site for scheduling - or better yet, call them!  A set of 10 classes cost $1200.  That’s $120 a lesson - not bad considering the prices for activities in the area.  They also provide free outfits and shoes.  I’d say that’s a steal :)  Will update you on how Vanessa’s trial class goes (scheduled for June 16, 2009).

(Update:  As of now, early August 2009 - Vanessa is in the midst of her summer ballet program.  She loves it still!  The great thing about this is she’s really learned to move through this class.  She will show me some of the dance steps they learned and really learn how to express herself physically.  I recommend it, just as playtime sort of thing and a great way to expend their energy!)

Music

This is something I’d really want my daughter to try.  Well, rather, the piano.  This is because my parents put me through 14 years of torturous piano lessons and the result is a disciplined approach to learning, an above average skill at playing the piano and something I can actually brag about NOW.  I love to play the piano now and am so glad to have learned it to the max.  This is something I want to give my children as well because it’s part of being well-rounded.  Wait, whaddyaknow!  There’s a Tom Lee Music in Tai Koo Shing as well!  They have something that’s called “A Music Toddler’s Course” and “An Introduction To Music” (or something like that) for children (3+) that runs for 45 minutes every Tuesdays from 6:00 PM.  It’s a joint parent-child class as well and they introduce your children to all sorts of instruments and music and dancing.  Again, the baby classes of music.  Something I think kids will enjoy because it’s not the torturous tip tap of doing arpeggios (other pianists will get my meaning).

Swimming

I don’t really consider swimming an “optional” activity.  I consider it a survival technique.  Again, having gone through my swimming all the way to Bronze Cross, I’m actually proud that I’ve been on the swim team and swam for another 20 years of my life.  I think I preferred swimming over piano, but again, it was another “chore” to go to swim classes because they make you swim front crawl for 20 lengths non-stop with a flutterboard clipped between your legs.  UGH.  Not much fun for a kid.  There are so many swimming options near where I live. 

There is a Stanford Swim School (which is hosted by Korean International School) and they run programs all year long for as young as 2+ (as long as they don’t need diapers).  Although 2-3 is a joint class, but I’ve heard a few negative things on this class (crowded, teacher unqualified, poor English speakers) from a few friends who have tried it.   (Update:  Having joined the swim class for Vanessa just this summer, see my post on “Stanford Swimming School: Korean International School Review” - It’s pretty good!)

Another swim place to try is Kornhill Recreation Center (although this is open to Kornhill Residents only).  You can also opt to try the Island East Swimming Pool with private instructors, but have yet to explore this option.  I’m just scared of cramming my kids with other sardine kids and there doesn’t seem to be “public” swim lessons in public pools like they have in Canada.  WHY NOT? 

Art

Another great outlet for creativity.  There are actually a host of art schools in Tai Koo Shing.  The one that we have tried before is Creative Kids (see above photo of Vanessa in art class making a flame).  The cost is around $800 for 4 classes and the student:teacher ratio is about 8:2 for toddlers - which is pretty good.  They do everything from painting to throwing paint socks to drawing on tables to whatever.  They encourage independent students, but I did manage to join Vanessa for 3 out of the 4 classes and sat quietly to watch.  It was fun.  This summer though, I’ll see if she’d like to continue.  If not, oh well, maybe next time.  There are also other schools to choose from (more local ones), so you’ll just have to walk around the upper decks of the community to find them.

Kumon

Not a big fan of the academic route, but it is something to do.  Although my idea of what KUMON may be outdated and they do more than academics.  They provide Math, English and Chinese lessons on a walk-in basis and children can start as young as 3, except they require a diagnosis for the child upon starting.  It’s once a week for 30 minutes on any of the topics and they provide the materials.  MATH AT 3?  I’ve tried to teach her the basics of math, like 1+1, but you can’t force these topics (can you?).  OK, maybe it’s just me being rigid again in my Canadian way of thinking, but truthfully, math at 3?!  I learned my multiplication table in Grade 6 (which means I was at the age of 12?) and although I can’t spew it like the Hong Kongers I know, I’d like to think that my math isn’t that bad!  OK OK, I will save this rant for another day.

Structured Classes

You will find a host of structured classes in Tai Koo Shing as well.  Apart from Vanessa’s Kornhill International Kindergarten summer programs, you’ll also find classes from centers that aren’t really designated as schools.  One such program I am looking at is Jack and Jill Treehouse.   Although their cost is quite steep coming in at $2160 HKD for 6 lessons (3 hours each lesson) for Vanessa’s age, I bawked at the price.  There are other options in the area.  All the local kindergartens offer summer programs as well - like St. Anna’s Kindergarten and Wembley International Kindergarten. 

Wow, being a parent is tough!  I didn’t realize how many options kids have until this year and I think it gets worse as they get older!  You try to make the most of their summers and unfortunately I’m working - so that means I can’t really participate as actively as I would like to - except on weekends.  Ah, I also forgot to add Disney and Ocean Park as summer activities - which means I am thinking of investing in seasons passes.   See, children really are an expense - but a necessary one and of course, as parents, you try to give them the most of everything possible.