'Magic Cube of Family Love' Video Series Released to Promote Pre-school Education

A press conference was held to release a series of video clips on family education called "Magic Cube of Family Love", for parents of kids aged between 3-6 years, in Beijing on June 1, International Children's Day.

Song Xiuyan, Vice-President and First Member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) sent her best wishes to parents and children in China in one of the videos; Meng Xiaosi, Vice-President and Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF attended the conference and gave a speech along with Zhao Donghua, Vice-President and Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF.

The series shows 15 typical types of undesirable behavior that young children might exhibit, and explains ways to remedy each problem. Each video focuses on a "common issue" concerning parents and conducts a detailed analysis of the causes through stories and thorough explanations by experts in the field.

By watching the videos, parents will acquire scientific ideas and methods concerning child-raising and learn about the latest developments in research and the practice of child education.

Under the guidance of the ACWF, the series was produced by experts and teachers with multi-disciplinary knowledge in pre-school education, child psychology and communication, from the China Women's University (CWU) and the Communication University of China (CUC), with an aim to build sound parent-child relationships.

Song Xiuyan gave her best wishes for children and parents in China in one of the videos. "Each child is a unique and wonderful present given by nature; they are like tender shoots having just broken through the soil, requiring intensive care, love and patience … Family is the first 'school' of each child, and parents are their first teachers. It is the instinct of parents to love their children, but how to love them in a proper way needs the common efforts of both parents and children," she said.

Meng Xiaosi pointed out in her speech at the press conference that family education figures importantly in younger children's physical and psychological health, personality growth and communication skills, thereby exerting a huge influence on the future development of the Chinese nation.

"The government has put forward a series of laws and regulations on family education, such as Programs for the Development of work Concerning Children (2011-2020) and Five-year Plan of Promoting Family Education (2011-2015). Government branches have made active efforts to make the strengthening and guidance of family education part of public service, with the focus on improving quality, increasing resources and providing support for the better development of the cause."

"As society undergoes fast development, family structure and conditions have changed a lot. Family members are now in pursuit of different things, posing great challenges to family education. The recent popular TV series 'Tiger Mom, Cat Dad' is a reflection of the pressure and confusion confronting Chinese parents; Should they force the children to compete or to let them grow with ease and happiness? Maybe the video series 'Magic Cube of Family Love' can give parents some tips in this respect."

While family education is a responsibility that parents must fulfill, it requires the support of society. Meng expressed her hope that women's federations at various levels would make full use of the video series, with a focus on promoting and spreading the scientific educational ideas and methods involved to rural households and those thirsty for guidance in this respect. Also, she called upon media outlets to pay close attention to family education, to spread scientific ideas and practices to the public, and contribute to building a society conducive to sound family education.

Officials and representatives from the Song Ching Ling Foundation; the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television; and Beijing Municipal Commission of Education also gave speeches.

Qi Mingqiu, Secretary of Party Committee of the Song Ching Ling Foundation pointed out that President Xi Jinping's recent speech on family education stressed the important role of family and family education in people's life, in national development and social harmony. "CWU and CUC have produced this video series in response to President Xi's call and have given young kids and their parents a great present for International Children's Day. The 'Magic Cube of Family Love' videos are of great significance to family education in China."

Ge Chen, Deputy-Director of the Press and Publicity Department under the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, delivered his sincere congratulations on the successful release of the video series. He pointed out that the 'Magic Cube of Family Love' video series reflected the great attention the ACWF has paid to family education for young kids, the latest research results of CWU and the professionalism of the CUC team. The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television would fulfill its responsibility by promoting this video series and make contributions to harmonious families and social progress, he said.

Huang Kan, member of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education expressed his respect for the ACWF for its great efforts in promoting family education for pre-school kids and delivered his congratulations to the video producers, the CWU and the CUC. He expressed his hope that the video series would promote common efforts among schools, communities, enterprises and media outlets in family education, so as to help parents learn scientific education methods and ultimately improve the overall quality of family education in China. He called upon the two video producers to build a comprehensive and scientific education mechanism and make greater contributions to the development of family education.

Xia Yinlan, Professor from China University of Political Science and Law (CPUL) and Chairperson of the Marriage and Family Institute under the China Law Society, commented that the 'Magic Cube of Family Love' video series would promote advanced ideas and practices of family education. She pointed out that it is stipulated in the Marriage Law that parents shall fulfill the responsibility of raising their minor children, which entails material comforts of clothing, food, sheltering and transportation, and more importantly cultivation of children's personality; family education often has a life-long influence on a person's character, values, pursuits and interests. "Kids are the future of our nation and each family; whether they can enjoy a happy and healthy childhood has consequences for the development of the country. This 'Magic Cube of Family Love' video series fills a blank in China's family education, and I hope it can be promoted and spread among the general public."

Professor Li Mingshun, Chairperson of CWU Council, expressed many thanks to the video producers and all the people who contributed to the campaign. The family education video series was designed and produced at the request of the ACWF Vice President and First Member of the Secretariat Song Xiuyan, with instruction from the ACWF Vice President Meng Xiaosi, said Li. Also, these video clips are testament to the devotion and efforts of the CWU teachers and students, along with the help and cooperation from their CUC counterparts.

"The family education videos have shown the achievements of CWU in the field of pre-school education and serve as an important tool for helping women and children. We hope that this video series will attract more attention to pre-school education, guide parents to love and teach their kids in a proper way, and contribute to a sound environment for healthy and happy growth of the children," concluded Professor Li.

Professor Chen Wenshen, Chairperson of CUC Council, expressed his warm congratulations on the successful release of the video series and sincerely thanked all those involved in the campaign. He stressed that it is the tradition of the Chinese nation to pay high attention to family education, and knowing how to raise children in a correct and effective way requires continuous learning and thinking from parents. "CWU and CUC have produced this video series in response to the call of parents, creating a new chapter in China's pre-school education." He expressed his hope that the two universities would make use of their strengths and make closer cooperation, so as to better serve the parents and society.

Officials from the ACWF, Song Ching Ling Foundation and the film production company jointly released the video series. The CWU choir and kids from the kindergarten affiliated to CWU gave performances to celebrate the event.

Professor Liu Liqun, President of CWU, pointed out that kids are the hope of their parents and future of the nation. It is the responsibility of educators and universities to nurture the elites of the future and to serve society. "While there are constant changes in the world, our love for our children sustains forever. We must work harder to help each of the kids grow happily and healthily!"

The press conference attracted widespread coverage from over 20 mainstream media outlets, such as People's Daily, Xinhua, Guangming Daily, China National Radio and China Women's News.

(Source: cwu.edu.cn/Translated and edited by Women of China)