SNN and CDC Present: Building Resilience in Children - POSTPONED

Building resilience in children

IN-PERSON event: SNNHK in collaboration with the Child Development Centre (CDC).

COST is HK$100 - payment to CDC (payment details will be shared upon registration).

This event will be held at CDC in Wanchai and will include a discussion panel and Q&A with expert speakers including:

- Dr Yvonne Becher, Chief Executive, Director Programme Development & Learning, CDC

- Melinda Sturges, Speech and Language Therapist, Central Health Partners (Child Development Team)

- Athena Wong, Speech Therapist, CDC

- Sarah Lo, Specialist Child Care Worker, CDC

The focus is on younger, kindergarten and primary school age children (age 0-11) including those with additional needs. The speakers will address various aspects of resilience-building, including approaches to social thinking, interaction and decision making, and dealing with conflict. There will be a focus on practical approaches for parents to help their children develop in these areas, including an overview of Lego-based therapy. 

OUR SPEAKERS

Dr. Yvonne Becher Chief Executive | Director, Programme Development & Learning, CDC PhD, The University of Hong Kong M.Clin.Psych, Macquarie University, Australia B.A. (Hons) (Psychology), University of Tasmania, Australia   Dr. Yvonne Becher brings an extensive background as an experienced and distinguished child psychologist to her current roles at the CDC. She also maintains strong links to academia as well as advocacy in (early) childhood, partnering with The University of Hong Kong as a former lecturer and on local and regional projects relating to early childhood development, consulting on UNICEF projects, and promoting the importance of play.

Melinda Sturges BSc, MEd, LRCSLT (UK)

Child Development Team (Central Health), Southside Family Health Centre

Melinda Sturges is an experienced speech and language therapist who has worked for many years in Hong Kong. She obtained her academic and clinical qualifications at University College, London. Her professional work in Hong Kong has been in two main areas: private practice and the education and training of Speech and Language Therapists. She taught for many years as a part-time lecturer in Speech and Hearing Sciences at the University of Hong Kong (Education Faculty). She is based at the Child Development Team (Central Health) at Southside Family Health Centre. Her primary clinical areas of interest include: Developmental Disorders of Speech and Language; Specific Learning Difficulties; and Fluency and Voice disorders in both adults and children. Melinda works closely with her fellow professionals conducting joint developmental assessments and working collaboratively with families and schools to develop suitable management strategies for the individual child.

Athena Wong Speech and Language Therapist, CDC B.Sc (Hons) (Speech and Language Sciences), Newcastle University, UK

Athena’s experience of working with children with additional needs allows her to recognise the importance of early social communication skills in shaping children’s motivation to explore their surroundings and to engage with their peers. Therefore, she is driven to promote early communication by adapting personalised intervention to address each child’s individual interests and pace of growth.  

Sarah Lo Special Child Care Worker, CDC B.Soc.Sc. (Hons) (Psychology), The Education University of Hong Kong PGDE (ECE), Hong Kong Baptist University School of Continuing Education Diploma (Special Child Care Work), Hong Kong Baptist University School of Continuing Education   Sarah is determined to bring a joyful learning experience to her students and discover the strength in every child. As a former mainstream kindergarten teacher, Sarah understands the high expectations that society places on both children and parents.