Top marks for a lesson with a masculine approach

Every day at work, Gao Zhigang switches between several roles - a playmate, a big brother and a father - for his class of children at China Welfare Institute Kindergarten in Shanghai.

The children obviously adore him, seeing how they swarm him with hugs and hi-fives every morning. They have also affectionately dubbed him "Brother Luobo" and "Old Daddy Luobo", a play on his English first name which is Robert.

"I really enjoy the feeling of being a close friend rather than a teacher to these children. I guess this is because they spend most of the day with me and not anyone else," said Gao, a leading teacher who has taught in the school for six years.