Special kindergarten in Shanghai toughens up boys

In the city of Shanghai, there has been debate about whether the city's young male students need a confidence boost.

Some have even coined the term, "boy crisis" to explain how Shanghai's young male students are falling behind their female counterparts academically and are more emotionally vulnerable. To reverse this trend, one kindergarten in Shanghai is working on a program to help boys toughen up.

Hitting the books isn't enough for six-year-old Hu Ruofan and his peers.

These youngsters are about to learn something that is considered more important: how to be tougher.

At this kindergarten in Shanghai, a gender education program was set up one year ago to help boys cultivate some of the best masculine traits valued by Chinese culture such as bravery, courage and the sense of responsibility.

"We noticed on the first day during a new school year, most of the children who were crying were boys. Besides, boys need more time to adapt themselves into the new environment compared to girls. Unlike girls, boys need more physical activities that they can do with their hands." Xu Hui, principal of Haoertong Kindergarten in Shanghai, said.

The boys spend twice a week at this special classroom where they get a taste of physical activities and discipline.

"I love to play sand battlefield and table football."

"There are toy tanks and soldiers in the sand battlefield, I like to play this very much."

"I want to become a golf champion when I grown up."

After half an hour activity, the boys will practice a few kung fu moves and hold a group discussion to share what they learned from the activity.

"Different sections will be removed and added based on the children's wishes. The club is more like a test area where teachers can make observations, do research and make improvements." Shen Ying, chief of Research section in Haoertong Kindergarten, said.

Parents are happy to see their children having formed a sense of responsibility at an early age.

"My child has been in this program for a year and he started to learn to take care of me. When we travel together, he always volunteers to carry my bag. He will let girls go first. And give a seat to those in need. I never taught him that but what he learned or experienced in the kindergarten has affected him positively." Said parent.

The kindergarten hopes to teach young boys to become more responsible and courteous as they grow older, but the ultimate goal of the program is to let each individual develop into the person they wish to become.

It's still an experiment and a work in progress.