On 24 April 2024, a public seminar titled "Cultivating Harmonious, Intimate, and Healthy Parent-Child Relationships" was conducted by a group of inclusive education experts invited by the ECE SEN Network. The event commenced with opening speeches delivered by Professor Allan Yuen, President of YCCECE, and Ms Mary Wong, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children.

Ms Agnes Lam, a clinical psychologist from the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Counselling Service, provided valuable insights into cultivating a healthy parent-child relationship and its impact on the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of both parents and young children. Recognizing the challenges faced by parents in balancing their children's needs with their own, she emphasized that despite these challenges, parenting brings joy, fulfillment, and meaningful experiences. Through the sharing of psychological experiments, Agnes explained different parenting styles and their respective effects on children. She underscored the significance of establishing a strong and enduring bond between parents and children as the foundation for a healthy parent-child relationship. Agnes also introduced the Attachment Theory, illustrating how secure attachment in infancy and early childhood fosters confidence, positive self-esteem, and a sense of security, thereby laying the groundwork for healthy development in the future.

Ms Yonnie Lam, the Service Director of the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children, provided practical tips during the event to enhance parent-child relationships. Drawing on her extensive practical experience, she shared real-life cases that illustrated how parents can empower their children by involving them in household chores, which not only stimulates their senses but also fosters their development. Yonnie introduced a three-step communication approach: describe, reflect, and respond. This approach helps children engage in meaningful dialogue using appropriate vocabulary and complete sentences, express their emotions with the right choice of words, and receive reflections that acknowledge their efforts and intentions. She emphasized the importance of parents being fully present and attentive during interactions with their children, making them feel valued, respected, and attended to. Yonnie also shared cases that addressed selective eating habits in children and introduced the concept of a "safety circle." This concept enables parents to prioritize their child's needs, understand and support them from their perspective, and provide comfort and acceptance when children face emotional challenges, ultimately nurturing a sense of security.

Towards the conclusion of the event, there was a touching testimonial shared by Mr Marco Wong, a parent and experienced social worker, who has a child with special educational needs (SEN). Marco opened up about his emotional journey upon learning about his daughter's SEN condition. However, he quickly adjusted his mindset and developed a strong belief that his daughter's hyperactivity was not a problem but rather a unique characteristic. He dedicated himself to being a guiding presence in her life, drawing on his extensive experience in outdoor exploratory education to expand her horizons. Through regular outdoor exploration activities, Marco witnessed significant improvements in his daughter's motor skills and balance. He also emphasized the joy he found in bonding with his children. He candidly shared that engaging in outdoor parent-child activities and becoming the "stylish" superhero in his child's eyes motivated fathers to actively participate in parent-child interactions.

This public talk offered parents invaluable insights and actionable advice, empowering them to establish harmonious, close, and nurturing connections with their children. By deepening their understanding and acquiring effective parenting skills, parents are equipped to better meet their children's needs, provide support, instill a sense of security, and promote their overall development.