Christian Service News
Issue 60 (July 2008)
NewsFlash
Hong Kong Families Spend Less Than 7 Minutes Per Day on Parenting Games
What does family income has to do with the time and quality spent on parenting games? And how much time does today's families actually spend on playing with their children? Shamshuipo Central Integrated Children and Youth Service conducted a survey on "Parent-Child Play Pattern in the Shamshuipo District" from October 2007 to March 2008. 621 parents of students from kindergarten to Primary 6 were interviewed.
The results of the survey indicated: 1) Close to 20% of the interviewed spent no time on parenting games with their children at all. The chief reasons they gave included "no time", "tired", "no idea what games to play" and "no money". 2) Over 30% of the parents spent an average of less than 7 minutes per day playing games with their children. These parents usually took the passive role during the games. 3) Over 70% of the parents expressed that they had inadequate means and skills to play with their children. 4) School performance of their children and the psychological well being of the individual parents were the biggest obstacles.
In order to raise the awareness and skills of low-income families on parenting games, the service joined hands with Pricerite Ltd, (member of CASH Group). With the help of funds from the Social Welfare Department's Partnership Fund and Capable Toys, they conducted the "Play@Home" scheme, which runs from December 2007 to December 2008. The aim is to strengthen intimacy within low-income families. The games will help children develop their emotions and self-confidence in a healthy direction.