A two-wave longitudinal study on 470 parent–child dyads examined the impact of family mealtime environment, parenting style and family functioning on preschoolers' (three to six years old) learning. Measures included parent report on parenting style, family functioning, family meal frequency, mealtime television, feeding practice, teacher/parent report of academic competence and individual assessment of preschoolers' preschool concepts. Family mealtime environment variables were associated with pre-schoolers' learning, in addition to parenting style and family functioning, after controlling for family income and wave 1 preschoolers' learning. The results highlighted the importance of family mealtime environment on preschoolers' learning.
[Copyright © 2017 Department of Social Work, National University of Singapore, Singapore.]

Children's understanding of the concepts of teaching and learning is closely associated with their theory of mind (ToM) ability and vital for school readiness. This study aimed to develop and validate a Preschool Teaching and Learning Comprehension Index (PTLCI) across cultures and examine the causal relationship between children's comprehension of teaching and learning and their mental state understanding. Two hundred and twelve children from 3 to 6 years of age from Hong Kong and the United States participated in study. The results suggested strong construct validity of the PTLCI, and its measurement and structural equivalence within and across cultures. ToM and PTLCI were significantly correlated with a medium effect size, even after controlling for age, and language ability. Hong Kong children outperformed their American counterparts in both ToM and PTLCI. Competing structural equation models suggested that children's performance on the PTLCI causally predicted their ToM across countries.
[Copyright © 2017 Wang, Wang and Chui.]

This study aimed to investigate parents' understanding of, support for and concerns about e-learning and proposed a school–parent partnership distributing responsibilities to parents and schools based on the results of the study. A total of 61 parents from 21 schools in an e-learning pilot scheme in Hong Kong responded to a questionnaire survey and focus group interviews. Results indicated that there was a high correlation between parental understanding and support for e-learning although parents demonstrated only a basic level of understanding. Four types of parental support and six major areas of parental concern were identified. These results shed light on the school–parent partnership whereby parents should implement a proactive e-learning policy at home to monitor, support and inspire e-learning. Schools should formulate a holistic policy to address parents' concerns responsively and proactively to gain support. Schools can enhance parents' pedagogical understanding of e-learning and address parental concerns through school–parent communication and peer support among parents.
[Copyright © 2017 Association for Information Technology in Teacher Education.]

School-based physical activity (PA), including activity during physical education (PE) lessons and after-school hours, is a possible opportunity for increasing children' s daily PA. The purposes of this study were (a) to compare children' s school-based PA levels during PE lessons and after-school hours and (b) to examine whether there is a difference in children' s PA behaviour (moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)) and sedentary behaviour on a day which includes school-based PA (i.e. PE class or after-school sports class). The participants were 242 children (mean age = 8.7, SD = 1.6) from five primary schools in Hong Kong. Children' s PA levels were measured using an accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3X) for four school days, and the data were used to derive the duration (min) of MVPA and sedentary behaviour using age-specific criteria. The PA data were grouped according to the school-based PA opportunities, i.e. (a) with a PE lesson (PE day); (b) with an after-school sport class (AFS day); or (c) without school-based PA (N-Act day). The results indicated that the groups differed significantly in daily MVPA [F (2,108) = 16.62, p < .00] and MVPA during school hours [F (2,108) = 36.22, p < .00]. There was no significant difference in children' s sedentary behaviour with school-based PA participation. The present study confirmed the contribution of school-based PA opportunities to children' s MVPA in the school day, while sedentary behaviour may not necessarily be reduced.
[Copyright © 2017 The Author(s).]

It is increasingly recognized in the field of gifted education that giftedness is asynchronous development, which posits that the combination of advanced cognitive abilities and heightened intensity and sensitivity in the gifted population creates inner experiences and awareness that are qualitatively different from the norm. The asynchronous development of the gifted renders them vulnerable particularly in the social-emotional aspects (Silverman, 1993). The purpose of this chapter is to look into the social-emotional characteristics of gifted students. It is further asserted that the social-emotional challenges or inner conflicts experienced by the gifted students were actually the driving force of the personal development for the gifted students. Implications on effective counselling for the gifted are also discussed with the aim to facilitate an optimal personal development of the gifted in a Hong Kong school context.

香港作為一個亞洲國際都會，香港的高等教育一向重視培育國際化人才。為了剖析香港高等教育國際化現況，這篇文章將回顧教資會的政策，並就各院校的國際化措施、境外生來港升讀、高等教育學生交流等方面作出分析和討論。

香港是一個東西文化交融的國際都會，社會價值既矛盾又多元，加上崇尚自由和傳媒發達等因素，要有效地在小學推行校本價值教育並不容易。為了支持以校本形式推行價值教育，香港初等教育研究學會於 2014-2015 年主辦「支援小學推行校本價值教育」計劃，這次分享會除介紹計劃成果外，亦將邀請不同學校介紹推行校本價值教育的經驗。

Few studies have investigated the causal spillover effects of compulsory education on children's siblings. Using a regression discontinuity method, I find that Hong Kong's 1971 free compulsory primary education policy reduced the dropout probability for the eldest siblings of full policy beneficiaries, especially for children in low-income families. Having younger brothers who were full policy beneficiaries did not affect the elder child's educational attainment. Having younger sisters who were full policy beneficiaries increased the eldest child's educational attainment, especially for the eldest sister. The results shed light on how sibling sex composition might affect intra-household resource allocation of human capital investment among children.

School Counselling in a Chinese Context discusses research in school counselling in the Chinese context of Hong Kong schools and various educational settings, and provides a contextualized understanding of counselling issues. This book highlights key contextual conditions for counselling in Hong Kong – a Chinese society. The sub themes addressed in the book include school practices and teacher perspectives on guidance, counselling, behaviour support and school discipline; whole-school guidance program for identity construction; school counselling for ethnic minority students; contextual influence of the use of play therapy; school counselling for students with minority sexual orientation; Chinese cultural influence on counselling, etc. The book also develops new theoretical orientations to understanding various issues of counselling as arisen in the Chinese society of Hong Kong and helps school practitioners to develop culturally responsive approaches to school counselling for personal growth, spiritual and emotional education. The themes addressed in the book include: School practices and teacher perspectives on guidance, counselling, behavior support and school discipline .School counselling for ethnic minority students .Contextual and cultural influence of the use of play therapy .School counselling for students with minority sexual orientation .Chinese culture influence on parental participation in counselling School Counselling in a Chinese Context will be of interest to postgraduates and researchers in the field of Counselling, school psychology, child development and Chinese studies.
[Copyright © 2016 Taylor and Francis.]

This chapter examines the relationship and effects of perceived discrimination on the integration among new arrivals from mainland China and its implications to the Hong Kong community. It also explores how perceived discrimination, which may affect the integration process of migrants, would mean to higher education in Hong Kong. By exploring the relationship between perceived discrimination and integration, the chapter argues that discrimination or perceived discrimination significantly influences the immigrant’s prospect of successful immigration, which, in turn, affects the future development of society.
[Copyright © 2017 Springer Science+Business Media Singapore]