An energetic and engaging speaker, Frances Kai-Hwa Wang can address a number of different multicultural parenting, Asian American identity, and Chinese culture topics. She uses a variety of sources, from historical events to pop culture, with multimedia technology and cute toys and costumes too to keep things lively and fun.
These seminars can be tailored to meet the needs and interests of your group (i.e. adoptive families, teachers and educators, language schools, college students, grandparents, multicultural audience, children).
Talks are given in English, but may be given in Mandarin Chinese upon special request and ample warning.
Topics: Possible topics follow--for families, children, teens, college students, teachers, adoption groups, professional and community groups, etc.
"Becoming Badass APIA" or "Badass APA Women" (currently in development with Disgrasian.com's Jen Wang and ThickDumplingSkin.com's Lisa Lee)
A recent study found that while African American women confront racists, Asian American women feed them bad-tasting jelly beans. Huh? In the (angry) conversations that followed (between trips to the store to buy more bad-tasting jelly beans), we realized that it is not enough to talk about race, and it is not enough to talk about gender, that there are all sorts of competing factors and forces and stereotypes and pressures all at work here, making it really hard to figure out how to be Asian, American, Asian American, girl, woman, daughter, partner, friend, mother, community member, leader,...oneself? Other studies show that young Asian American women have the highest rates of depression and suicide, as well as the lowest self-esteem. We don't even need to get into the scars of the Tiger Mother (but we will, gladly). Thus this Asian American Girl Power or Asian American Badass Training Session was born. Half empowerment, half hands-on practical strategies. Come meet leading Asian American women writers and thinkers who are tired of the BS and ready for the Badass. We will talk about Asian American identity, parental expectations, social stereotypes, body image, SEX (don't tell our parents), dating, friendship, mental health, leadership, and more. Boys and men are welcome to attend, too. Both racists and sexists will be given bad tasting jelly beans.
Multicultural Toolbox--Strategies for Raising our Children with Culture(s) and Pride
In this lively and fast-paced seminar, Frances Kai-Hwa Wang discusses how to make cultural education a part of our everyday lives and our decision-making. How do we teach our children about their cultural heritage? What are some tools, strategies, and resources we can use to build positive self-esteem and ethnic identity? How do we make teaching about their/our/other culture(s) and values a normal part of everyday life in America? How important is language? How do we prepare our children for racism? How do we extend our lessons about being bicultural to multicultural? This program will introduce practical tools and strategies for incorporating culture(s) into a multicultural lifestyle. Can be tailored for adoptive parents, educators, grandparents, Asian and Asian American audience, general multicultural audience, etc.
Strategies for Raising Bilingual and Multilingual Children
Practical, hands-on strategies and tools based in cultural pride for teaching your child a second (or third) language, whether you speak it fluently or not! Can be tailored for adoptive parents, grandparents, Asian and Asian American audience, general multicultural audience, etc.
Beyond Amy Chua Tiger Mother: Raising confident and cultured children for the 21st century
Asian Pacific American History and Heroes--Stories of Resistance and Courage
Becoming Asian American...in the Midwest?!!--A Personal Journey
Vincent Chin and Asian Pacific American Civil Rights
Identifying and protecting against hate crimes--before, during, after
Using Books to Teach our Children Language and Culture(s)
Practical, hands-on strategies for using the books at hand to teach language and culture(s), including translating books, defacing books, borrowing other culture(s).
Preparing our Children for Racism
Laying the Groundwork, From Understanding to Action, Resources for Teaching Tolerance
Teaching Our Kids to Critically Read and Deflate Media Stereotypes
Finding the Missing Asian is only step one. Talk back to your tv! Keep it real! Strategies to take control of the stereotypes before they take control of you.
APA Girl Power!
APA girls face unique and sometimes conflicting challenges to growing up proud and strong in both Asian and American societies. Some thoughts and strategies to help them develop their strength and pride and voice.
Objective Reality and Hawaii of the Mind--Critical Thinking and Virtual Community
Truth, Truisms, and Virtual Community--Part of Becoming Asian American Series
ChinaNOW--Why China? Why Now? Why Me?
Lunar New Year Festival--Stories, Traditions, and Song
(with interactive Nian, dumpling, or zodiac play) See link for more details.
Lantern Festival--Stories, Traditions, Lion Dancing, and Parades
(with interactive Yuan Xiao play)
Mid-Autumn Moon Festival--Stories and Traditions
(with interactive Moon Lady play)
Chinese Valentine's Day--Stories and Traditions
(with interactive Cowherd and Weaving Maiden play)
Asian Pacific American Storytime--Reading stories about Asian Pacific American children set in America like Sam and the Lucky Money, Dumpling Soup, Halmoni and the Picnic, Bee Bim Bop, Lights for Gita.
Writing personal narrative essays or memoir
Writing Ethical Wills--a love letter to your family
"Lions, Dragons, and Painted Faces--The Masked Traditions of China" in collaboration with Carol Stepanchuk of University of Michigan Center for Chinese Studies.
Performance Add-On: If you are not too far away, Frances MAY be able to arrange to bring Lion Dancers, Chinese Yo Yo virtuosos, and/or Chinese dance performers from the Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan or Ann Arbor Chinese Dancing School or others. However, please note that these performers are children aged 3-18 and so are not able to perform during school days, too late at night, or too far away from Ann Arbor. Red Envelopes with $1-$8+ are requested for each performer.
Level of the talk will be tailored to the age group and restlessness of the students.
Technical requirements: A projector capable of interfacing with a PC and running Power Point, a screen, speakers, and podium are requested for a full multimedia presentation. A CD Player is needed for children's presentations and performances. A microphone is requested for large spaces with bad acoustics. Internet access is optional. One long table is also nice for a traveling display of dolls, posters, and other fun APA toys. If we decide to do any book and toy sales, then some assistance with sales will be required.
Documentation: Please send copies of photos, videos, promotional materials, newsletters, and newspaper clippings of events to Ms. Wang for her mom's scrapbook.
Cancellation: Two weeks cancellation notice requested. If you cancel with less than two weeks notice, Ms. Wang respectfully requests 50% of the agreed upon speaker's fee to compensate for her preparation time. Snow Days not-withstanding.
Contact Now for your school or parents' group! Email fkwang888 AT gmail DOT com
