UK'S PARENTING STYLE - TRY BY ERRORS
"We fall so we can learn how to pick ourselves up."
Batman Begins
The education in the UK is different from Hong Kong’s. Parents in the UK let their children try whatever they want, like climbing trees and playing with puddles, which can hardly happen in Hong Kong. They bring their children to parks and let them explore by themselves. They would also teach them the nature and history clearly and patiently. For example, children would look at the fossils of dinosaurs in the museum rather than simply read books. Parents encourage their children rather than scold at them when they do something wrong or meet difficulties.
In contrast, Hong Kong children are usually brought to tutorials and classes rather than parks and playgrounds. They learn from books rather than discover the world by their own. When they face problems, the parents would either solve the problems for the children or blame them. That is why “Hong Kong Children” becomes a stigma.
It reflects the different way of education between the two countries. I think the parenting style in the UK is interesting because it is not commonly applied in Hong Kong. The traditional Chinese thoughts in protecting the children from dangers can be seen from daily life. Hong Kong parents consider their children as treasure and the continuation of the family. Hence, they would protect their children from any harm, stopping them from taking risk.
Yet, the UK parenting style seems to be a more proper way to bring up and educate children since it is more lively and all-rounded. It boosts their confidence and ability in critical thinking. Though children are treasures in the eyes of the British too, they regard the personal growth of the children more valuable than preventing them from being harmed.
After raining, a mother brings her child to the park and equips him with raincoat and rain boots. Then, she records her child playing with puddles happily.
A child is climbing a rope in a park.
A mother is explaining what nature is to her children patiently in a museum.
In the park, a mother is helping her children to climb trees. She encourages them and does not show much worry.
“Look! Do you know what is it? It is a deer!” a father said.