4 min read
“When parents are willing to pause, reflect and give their children space to play while spending time with them, more possibilities for their children's growth will naturally unfold," said Miss Yuen, Project Supervisor of KeySteps@JC Hub (Sham Shui Po).
The ages of zero to six are a critical period for a child’s development, while “play” is their language. Through play, caregivers and children build mutual understanding and effective communication, while rediscovering what truly matters—attachment, bonding and love. These elements nurture strong parent–child relationships that grow with the child.
Dr Anna Hui, Associate Professor in the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences at City University of Hong Kong, points out that when parents set aside their dominant role and adult mindset for a moment, immerse themselves in their children's world and perspective and follow their children’s way of playing, they not only experience the joy of parent child interaction, but also help strengthen the parent child relationship.
KeySteps@JC connects children aged six or below with their parents through play, enabling them to enjoy the fun of parent-child interaction. The KeySteps@JC Hub provides a supportive environment where children can explore freely, while professionals guide parents into their children’s world, helping them to better understand their children and gradually build confidence in supporting their children’s growth.
Dr Anna Hui, Associate Professor in the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences at City University of Hong Kong, points out that when parents set aside their dominant role and adult mindset for a moment, immerse themselves in their children's world and perspective and follow their children’s way of playing, they not only experience the joy of parent child interaction, but also help strengthen the parent child relationship.
KeySteps@JC connects children aged six or below with their parents through play, enabling them to enjoy the fun of parent-child interaction. The KeySteps@JC Hub provides a supportive environment where children can explore freely, while professionals guide parents into their children’s world, helping them to better understand their children and gradually build confidence in supporting their children’s growth.
Wan-lok's mother, a participant in KeySteps@JC, used to resist following her children's way of playing. For instance, she was unwilling to join them in water play and would stop them from splashing in puddles. This was influenced by the restrictions imposed by her own mother in her childhood, as well as concerns about getting herself or her children wet and the hassle of cleaning up afterwards. She recalled that when she first saw the water play facilities at KeySteps@JC Hub, her immediate thought was, “Please do not get me wet.” After joining KeySteps@JC, she and her husband began to rethink their parenting approach. She now greatly enjoys playing with her children in the water play facilities, saying, “It is so much fun getting wet together.” On rainy days, she even lets her children go without umbrellas and freely splash in puddles, sometimes until they are completely soaked before heading home. She and her husband have also tried to step back from a leading role, allowing their children to plan their own weekend playtime and activities, while they take on the role of play companions who accompany their children in exploration. They have come to realise that playtime truly belongs to children; it is not arranged solely by parents, but built on parent–child negotiation. This process helps parents better understand their children's thoughts, interests and needs.
Children from different backgrounds have different needs during their critical stages of development. We believe that nurturing children is not only a familial responsibility, but one that should be shared by the wider community. Through KeySteps@JC Hub as a community connector, we bring together local resources to provide comprehensive support for children. Beyond promoting parent-child communication through play, KeySteps@JC Hub situated in the community upholds three core principles: For the children (integrating health, education, and welfare practices to safeguard children’s well‑being in their best interests); By the children (respecting children’s voices and agency, and empowering their participation in decision‑making to shape their environments); and With the children (mobilising community resources to build a supportive network that enables children to flourish holistically).
Through participating in the parent–child activities at the KeySteps@JC Hub and with support from its professional team, Wan-lok’s family is able to relieve parenting stress and strengthen parent–child interaction. The activities also encourage families to gradually engage with the community, expand their resources and social networks and support children's healthy development within a broader support system.
Wan-lok and his friends were invited to co-design the “travel city” and slide facilities at KeySteps@JC Hub (Sham Shui Po), fostering a strong sense of belonging to the space. Sharing their ideas on the slide’s fabric colours, Wan-lok explained, “The darkest black fabric feels more exciting, while the lighter black is more translucent, like gauze, so you know you're almost at the bottom.”
Children from different backgrounds have different needs during their critical stages of development. We believe that nurturing children is not only a familial responsibility, but one that should be shared by the wider community. Through KeySteps@JC Hub as a community connector, we bring together local resources to provide comprehensive support for children. Beyond promoting parent-child communication through play, KeySteps@JC Hub situated in the community upholds three core principles: For the children (integrating health, education, and welfare practices to safeguard children’s well‑being in their best interests); By the children (respecting children’s voices and agency, and empowering their participation in decision‑making to shape their environments); and With the children (mobilising community resources to build a supportive network that enables children to flourish holistically).
Through participating in the parent–child activities at the KeySteps@JC Hub and with support from its professional team, Wan-lok’s family is able to relieve parenting stress and strengthen parent–child interaction. The activities also encourage families to gradually engage with the community, expand their resources and social networks and support children's healthy development within a broader support system.
Wan-lok and his friends were invited to co-design the “travel city” and slide facilities at KeySteps@JC Hub (Sham Shui Po), fostering a strong sense of belonging to the space. Sharing their ideas on the slide’s fabric colours, Wan-lok explained, “The darkest black fabric feels more exciting, while the lighter black is more translucent, like gauze, so you know you're almost at the bottom.”
(Bottom) Wan-lok shared, “I helped redesign this slide. We deliberately added black gauze to make it more exciting.”
As an ethnic minority family, Lina’s family not only faces parenting stress, but also challenges arising from language barriers, a narrow social network and limited access to local service information. The inclusive parent–child activities at the KeySteps@JC Hub encourage positive interactions and help families connect with the community, expand social networks and resources and support the overall development of the child.
KeySteps@JC brings together children’s key caregivers, enabling parents and teachers to share the responsibility of nurturing children. Kat, Lina’s mother, noted that most playgroups focus mainly on interaction between children and teachers, whereas KeySteps@JC emphasises communication among children, teachers and parents. Since joining the project, she and her husband have learned to communicate with their daughter in a more positive and encouraging way. She shared, “I told my husband not to say 'no' to our daughter so often. After changing the way we speak, we found that she is more willing to try new things than before.”
KeySteps@JC Hub values the support provided to families from diverse backgrounds. Ms Yuen, Project Supervisor of the KeySteps@JC Hub (Sham Shui Po) shares, "We pay close attention to the needs of every child, caregiver and their families, providing appropriate support and responses. For ethnic minority families, we follow the principles of 'Culturally Responsive Services,' actively seeking to understand their cultures and find common ground. At the same time, we provide translation services and English version of guidelines to ensure they feel respected and included when participating in activities and interacting with Chinese-speaking families. This also helps local families break down barriers and promotes social inclusion."
KeySteps@JC Hub is dedicated to accompanying every parent on their parenthood journey, supporting them in fostering positive parent-child relationships and interactions, so that children have the proper support to grow up healthy and happy.
KeySteps@JC brings together children’s key caregivers, enabling parents and teachers to share the responsibility of nurturing children. Kat, Lina’s mother, noted that most playgroups focus mainly on interaction between children and teachers, whereas KeySteps@JC emphasises communication among children, teachers and parents. Since joining the project, she and her husband have learned to communicate with their daughter in a more positive and encouraging way. She shared, “I told my husband not to say 'no' to our daughter so often. After changing the way we speak, we found that she is more willing to try new things than before.”
KeySteps@JC Hub values the support provided to families from diverse backgrounds. Ms Yuen, Project Supervisor of the KeySteps@JC Hub (Sham Shui Po) shares, "We pay close attention to the needs of every child, caregiver and their families, providing appropriate support and responses. For ethnic minority families, we follow the principles of 'Culturally Responsive Services,' actively seeking to understand their cultures and find common ground. At the same time, we provide translation services and English version of guidelines to ensure they feel respected and included when participating in activities and interacting with Chinese-speaking families. This also helps local families break down barriers and promotes social inclusion."
KeySteps@JC Hub is dedicated to accompanying every parent on their parenthood journey, supporting them in fostering positive parent-child relationships and interactions, so that children have the proper support to grow up healthy and happy.
Did you know?
KeySteps@JC Hub is Hong Kong’s first children centred hub designed from children’s perspectives and co created with them. With hubs located across different districts, KeySteps@JC Hub works with communities to help build child friendly environments. Established under the KeySteps@JC, which was launched in 2017, the initiative brings together cross sector expertise from healthcare, education and social welfare. It connects children with appropriate resources and opportunities and brings professionals together to support children’s growth, thereby laying a solid foundation for children’s holistic development and strengthening parents’ confidence in raising their children through collaboration.
Information updated to March 2026
Information updated to March 2026
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