No school break for tiger parents

Early this month, one of my colleagues caused a stir among his friends on WeChat when he posted his daily plan for his 7-year-old boy on his first winter school break.

The 18-slot schedule from 6:30am iterates the routines of a typical school day. After breakfast and room-cleaning (with music on), the Primary One student starts his day by reading a Chinese textbook and practicing speaking by looking at pictures. It's followed by math, English, drawing, more Chinese readings and listening to news broadcasts and recorded fairy tales until 8pm bedtime.

To be fair, the academic and arts activities are also interspersed with meals, refreshments and an hour-long outdoor playtime in the afternoon. But they look a bit overwhelming for a young child in a holiday season. The father confided the schedule was made after his son's teachers at a reputed local school warned parents against being easygoing and spoiling their children's learning habit.