More Than Just Meals: OneSky Cafeteria – A Place for Children to Grow and Learn
OneSky is determined to give children a space to grow and thrive, no matter their background. Recently, our community living room teamed up with community making group Baak6zou6 to turn our Cafeteria into a hub for independent learning and food exploration. The cafeteria already provides affordable, nutritious meals for families, which has made it super popular with caregivers. But now it’s also a place for children to learn on their own and get hands-on with food.
Allie, one of Baak6zou6’s founders and a mom of two, says, “Children’s voices are often overlooked.” However, she emphasizes that OneSky values what the children have to say, which is why they made this collaboration happen.
Allie points out, “We usually think of schools when we think of learning spaces.” She believes that learning can happen anywhere, not just in designated spots with traditional tools.
The children participated in preparing ingredients in the cafeteria (left); Baak6zou6 designed food education game in the parent-child friendly cafeteria (right).
The cafeteria is an exciting, cozy place for learning, especially when it comes to food. Parents can help children learn to eat and build healthy habits during mealtimes. And children can explore the space and learn independently too. Baak6zou6 thinks spaces don’t just serve a function—they can also bring parents and children closer together. As Allie mentions, “When people interact with a space more, they can help shape it over time.”
Baak6zou6 has been chatting with the OneSky crew, including caregivers, teachers, and staff, to figure out what the cafeteria users need. Allie describes Baak6zou6 as “like the project’s facilitator,” helping OneSky identify and create what they need.
For example, caregivers often say children are picky eaters or don’t want to eat on their own. So, Baak6zou6 talked with them about using the cafeteria to tackle these challenges—like helping children understand food and where it comes from, so they can discover their relationship with it and make mealtimes more meaningful.
After lots of discussions, Baak6zou6 got to work transforming the cafeteria. They set up kid-sized tables and utensil carts so children can collect their own items after eating, boosting caregiver confidence in letting children be independent.
They also added planting areas so children can watch veggies grow, plus food-themed books and games the children can explore on their own while caregivers relax.
Baak6zou6 even turned the cafeteria into a family cooking space, with kid-friendly tools and illustrated cards showing cooking steps children can join in on. One mom shared that her daughter, who hated tomato eggs, “loved the ones we made together.”
Allie expresses that the goal is to give children more chances to do their own thing, build self-care skills, and talk food and nutrition with their caregivers. That way, the grown-ups can feel more confident in letting the children take the lead.
Design of the cafeteria and newly provided game sets bring children closer to food.
Phyllis Chan, the OneSky programs director, says that teaming up with Baak6zou6 gave caregivers a chance to speak up and be heard. Instead of OneSky just deciding everything, she emphasizes that they plan the cafeteria with the users so their ideas and needs can be met. It’s like parenting—“we think we know best, but the children might want something different.”
By working together, OneSky hopes caregivers will take the same approach at home, respecting children’s opinions and allowing them to participate in decisions about their lives.
Generali Hong Kong Supports Underprivileged Families with Young Children to Enjoy Nature
Creating diverse experiences for young children enriches their growth and development. Since 2020, Generali Hong Kong has supported the P. C. Lee OneSky Global Centre for Early Childhood Development to bring positive impacts to underprivileged families and communities. This year, Generali’s The Human Safety Net project continues their annual fundraising event Global Challenge, supporting OneSky’s “Nature Experience Program,” which creates opportunities for over 500 underprivileged families in Hong Kong to learn and grow in connection with nature.
The years before age six are critical for children’s development. Providing a diverse learning environment during this period can lay a solid foundation for their future growth. OneSky is committed to promoting quality early parenting education and support in Hong Kong, ensuring that children from any family background can thrive.
Exposure to nature is important for enhancing children’s learning experiences. It stimulates their sensory development, heightens their awareness of environmental protection, and broadens their life experiences. This year’s “Nature Experience Program” organizes a series of activities, providing interesting and inspiring opportunities for young children to explore different aspects of nature, including eco printing workshops, visits to the Tuen Mun Reptile House, and meet-and-greets with small pets.
One of the highlights of the program was the parent-child hiking day held at The Peak in early November. On that day, Generali’s volunteers, along with over a hundred children and caregivers, enjoyed the autumn scenery and connected with the nature together. OneSky teachers designed a number of small challenges along the hiking trail and set up game stations, and everyone had a happy picnic time on the grassland.
OneSky will continue to organize nature-related projects to provide opportunities for young children to connect with the natural world. We sincerely thank Generali Hong Kong for their support, allowing underprivileged children and caregivers to create precious memories with their loved ones.
Picture Book Class for Parents – Can Adults Read Picture Books Too?
When we think of picture books, we often picture colorful books for young children. However, Suki, an early childhood teacher at the P. C. Lee OneSky Global Centre for Early Childhood Development, emphasizes that picture books are great for both adults and children. They are excellent tools for boosting parent-child interaction and offering various experiences for young children. Adults can also find joy and inspiration in them. Recently, the Centre has expanded its picture book classes to include sessions for adults only, in addition to the parent-child classes. Suki has noticed that parents sometimes connect more deeply with picture books than their children do.
Some adults feel that picture books aren’t meant for them, assuming they should only read text. However, picture books cover a wide range of topics, including emotions, history, ecology, and social issues. Some resonate with adults, while others are specifically created for them, featuring more abstract themes and deeper meanings.
Suki explained, “In parent-child classes, the presence of children can distract parents from fully understanding the picture books. Often, the children’s reactions influence how parents perceive the stories. However, when caregivers revisit these picture books in adult classes, their feelings can change completely.”
People of all ages have unique understandings and feelings about the same story. Suki once led a parent picture book class featuring “The Grand Hotel of Feelings.” She said, “After reading the book, parents realize that everyone experiences different emotions. While I cannot help parents manage their feelings, I hope picture books can help them understand themselves better.”
Many parents tend to abandon their personal interests after having children, particularly those who enjoy art or reading. For example, some parents who love to draw might not have touched a brush in a long time due to their hectic schedules. To help caregivers reconnect with their interests, Suki plans activities related to the book, such as water coloring and collaging, after the reading time. This gives the caregivers a chance to explore their creativity again.
The picture book classes give caregivers a valuable chance to rediscover the joy of reading while also teaching them how to read with young children.
Suki said, “Sometimes, when parents read picture books with young children, they may rush through the reading and not take time to understand the content first. Often, parents focus on finishing the task or teaching kids to recognize words. However, picture books are full of fun, and reading can be a delightful experience.”
“I want to share how storytelling can be with parents. For example, I encourage them to add expressions and actions when telling stories. They may not know how, then I show them how to act out a story, and parents don’t need to copy me exactly; they can observe and create their own style. Besides adding actions, parents can also point out characters in the illustrations with their children or even incorporate music and lighting effects during reading. When parents ask more questions, it helps them understand their children better: ‘Oh, this is how you see this book, but I have different ideas.’ Parents are often surprised by the many ways to use picture books. Lively storytelling and asking questions help children connect more deeply with the story and, more importantly, encourage them to love reading instead of being bored by it.”
Suki said, “Reading is a wonderful activity for parents and children that helps parents understand their children’s emotions, inner world, and daily lives. It may seem like a quiet activity, but it can nurture personal qualities and enhance learning and comprehension skills.”
In today’s world, where electronic products are everywhere, should parents let their children read e-books? While e-books are convenient, Suki believes that physical books have a unique charm. She said, “Physical books let readers feel the texture of the paper, and each one has its own touch and smell. For children, being able to touch, smell, and even hear the pages turning offers a great sensory experience. Plus, there are many types of picture books, like board books and pop-up books, that offer experiences and joys that electronic devices just can’t replicate.”
Reading allows caregivers and young children to spend more quality time together and enhances their interaction. For adults, reading picture books can lead to greater self-awareness and insight. OneSky is dedicated to creating a space that encourages reading. We offer themed classes that include reading activities and volunteers who share different picture books with children. The center also features various areas where caregivers and children can read or borrow books to enjoy at home at their own pace.
The P. C. Lee OneSky Global Centre offers a variety of weekly activity and thematic classes tailored for young children’s developmental milestones and growth. We invite families with children ages 0-6 years old to join us. Please click the link to become a member.
Auntie Vanilla’s Lifelong Learning Path
Before becoming a full-time mom, Auntie Vanilla had a successful career as a Senior Project Specialist at an IT company, where she was highly motivated at work. To better care for her young and active son, she resigned from her full-time position and found new purpose in life by getting involved with her son’s activities at OneSky, where she attended play sessions and courses alongside him.
“My son is two and a half years old now and has so much energy. When he was born, I continued working full-time, but later I decided to devote myself to caring for him at home. I learned about OneSky through a mothers’ group online and signed up to get involved. I love children, especially my son, so I was eager to take the caregiver training course at the Centre,” she recalled.
After completing the course, Auntie Vanilla became a community helper. She enjoys the work, commenting that, “The environment here is perfect for children, and the staff are very friendly and supportive. The pressure is much less than in the corporate world.” She also finds value in supporting a charity where she can help children grow.
Initially, Auntie Vanilla helped decorate the center and prepare activity materials for teachers. Later, when the Centre staff learned of her IT background, she was promoted to Administrative Assistant, taking on tasks like digitizing cafeteria meal records and providing general office assistance. Witnessing firsthand how her efforts benefited families at the Center left Auntie Vanilla feeling deeply fulfilled.
While becoming a full-time mom presented financial sacrifices for her family, she has since found unexpected rewards outside financial gain. “Now I get to spend more quality time with my son as he receives love from everyone here. I can leave the office on time and never have to stay late. Even my husband jokes that he has his ‘wife back,'” she said.
Auntie Vanilla also takes pleasure in re-entering the workforce, commenting, “I feel more involved in the community. Even working just a few days a week gives me satisfaction. While my job has changed, I enjoy learning new things. I have improved my communication skills and it is like achieving a new level of success.”
Aunt Vanilla likes new experiences and she said, “At OneSky, I learn from watching how other mothers care for their children. Knowledge builds up each day, just like a mountain growing from grains of sand… So I don’t feel I have really sacrificed at all. Overall, I’m much happier now!”
OneSky welcomes families with children aged 0-6 to join and participate in activities for free. Caregivers can attend caregiver training courses to improve their parenting knowledge, meet fellow caregivers, reduce anxiety on the parenting journey, and learn new skills to prepare for re-entering the workforce in the future.
OneSky unveils Wellness Room for caregivers at Sham Shui Po Community Living Room
Childcaring is an all-consuming, exhausting job that leaves little time for caregivers. Taking care of one’s physical and mental health should be a top priority for caregivers. OneSky’s Community Living Room in Sham Shui Po understands this need and opens a Wellness Room dedicated to empowering caregivers to focus on health and self-care.
While many fitness facilities exist, it is not simple for caregivers of children aged 0-6 to put their little ones down to work out. Physical activity is particularly important for caregivers since they regularly have to tote and go along with children for extended periods, run errands, and handle household tasks. Caregivers often feel worn out, and keeping up health and body strength is critical for tackling the demands of parenting.
The OneSky Wellness Room houses exercise equipment such as an exercise bike and a rowing machine, allowing caregivers to squeeze in a quick sweat session. The spacious design also allows easy options like yoga and stretching. Digital scales and blood pressure monitors are also ready to allow users to utilize them.
Regular exercise not only lifts up mood by boosting endorphins but also enhances overall mental and physical health. This is especially beneficial for those juggling the heavy duties of childcare. The Wellness Room creates a sense of community by allowing caregivers to organize their own fitness sessions among the social circle. This precious “me time” helps build social support networks while keeping everyone strong and healthy.
By taking advantage of the Centre’s respite services, caregivers can confidently entrust their children to capable hands, allowing them to focus on their own self-care without any worries.
Instructions:
Time: Monday to Friday, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Saturday, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Registration: Please register at the front desk on the first floor before use.
Service: Caregivers can book childcare services before using the Wellness Room (except on Saturdays).
Hong Kong’s community living rooms should cater to children’s needs
Susanna Lee, Executive Director, P.C. Lee OneSky Global Centre for Early Childhood Development, wrote to SCMP on the topic of community living rooms transforming the lives of subdivided flat children.
The concept of community living rooms, strongly encouraged by the government, is a promising remedy for the challenges of inadequate housing. It is important to consider the growth and development needs of underprivileged children when designing these social spaces.
When we talk about community living rooms, we often focus on the extended living spaces which provide essential amenities such as the space to cook or shower, and recreational activities that help individuals develop a sense of community. Yet the needs of young children, the elderly and the low-income working class can vary a lot.
For example, children aged six and below are experiencing rapid growth in mind and body. A community living room designed to meet their needs would mitigate the developmental limitations imposed by inadequate housing.
Physically, limited space makes it harder for young children to crawl and learn to balance, increasing the risk of falling as they grow. Mentally, poor soundproofing in subdivided flats forces parents to encourage children to speak softly, suppressing their natural expressions of emotion such as crying or laughing. Besides, many of these flats are located above eateries, where noise and poor air quality disrupt sleep.
Socially, while communities like Sham Shui Po are vibrant, it is rare to find an environment that stimulates children’s learning and development while also empowering caregivers with parenting knowledge and a supportive network.
In Sham Shui Po, where there are over 22,000 subdivided flats and the proportion of children aged three to five is above the Hong Kong average, the demand for child-focused community living rooms is high. These spaces should offer toys, facilities and child-friendly classes that can promote children’s physical and mental development.
To free caregivers from the daily grind of parenting, services such as cafeterias and napping rooms could be offered. Most importantly, these spaces should enable caregivers to raise their children in a safe and comfortable environment.
We need more targeted community living rooms that cater to the diverse yet specific needs of users, including children, where they can spend the whole day, such that the community living room becomes a true extension of their cramped living space.
