Generally speaking, the language development of children can be divided into three interrelated areas, namely listening & speaking, reading and writing abilities. Solid foundations in these areas would facilitate the subsequent language development of children. The Guide to Language Development of Pre-primary Children for Parents is produced by the professional team of Heep Hong Society for the purpose of sharing their knowledge and experience to help parents identify their children’s language developmental stage and factors affecting their development. This book covers the basic theories and 50 intriguing daily activities that serve to strengthen the learning motivation and language abilities of pre-primary children.

Foreign research shows that 20%–30% of preschool children are potentially dyslexic. Local studies have similar findings that 27% of kindergarten 2 children and 25% of kindergarten 3 children in Hong Kong are potentially dyslexic. To support these children, Heep Hong Society’s ‘Read and Write: A Jockey Club Learning Support Network’ Working Group initiated a three-year project of research and development, design, trials and effectiveness studies to develop suitable teaching and learning materials.The Language Learning Package for Pre-primary Children was launched in 2009. In the following year, the Society embarked on a three-year partnership with 18 kindergartens, where The Language Learning Package was incorporated into the curriculum. The effectiveness studies revealed that after receiving one year of support services, the 311 children identified as potentially dyslexic have shown substantial improvement in their listening, speaking, reading and writing abilities. Around 30% of them were no longer identified as having potential learning difficulties. The Society published The Language Learning Package for Pre-primary Children (Enhanced Edition) in May 2014, compiling the extensive clinical experience and insights of educational psychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists and preschool teachers. The Enhanced Edition comprises a teacher’s manual, and two learning activities handbooks (each accompanied by a resource CD-ROM) tailor-made for kindergarten 2 (K2) and kindergarten 3 (K3) students. The contents of the handbooks are divided into several learning categories, including listening, speaking, reading and writing. A total of 144 learning activities are included. The Enhanced Edition will help early childhood educators use the teaching materials more effectively and, therefore, make learning more enjoyable for young children.   The publication was sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

This app is developed by Heep Hong Society’s ‘Read and Write: A Jockey Club Learning Support Network’ Project Team (which comprises educational psychologist, speech therapist, occupational therapist, early childhood education consultant and social worker) for K2 to junior primary school children. The children can strengthen their language foundation through playing the engaging games and develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing competences. The game takes place on three islands on 11 themed lands and includes over 600 activities. The children will become the trooper and venture into different themed lands, taking on listening, speaking, reading and writing challenges waged by the animals. The app is also equipped with ‘expert advice’, ‘story station’ and demonstration videos such as ‘stroke order exercise’ to teach children language knowledge and learning tips. This easy-to-use app works best together with The Language Learning Package for Pre-primary Children and The Guide to Language Development of Pre-primary Children for Parents. The effectiveness study showed that well-designed, interesting games can reinforce children’s language foundation, improve their learning motivation and enhance their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. It is most effective for children with emerging difficulties in reading and writing. This app runs on mobile phones and tablets. It is available in Android and iOS versions for free. Download on Google Play Store and Apple App Store by searching the keyword ‘Heep Hong Society’. (The app is available in Chinese only)