New child-oriented family education concepts have been established in China but the importance of infants' early education has not been fully realized by young parents, a national survey of minors' family education conducted in 2007 revealed.

To bring the matter to the public's attention, a series of activities sponsored by the Women of China magazine and Feihe Dairy Company were launched on March 25 in Beijing. Women's federations in 13 cities nationwide, such as Changchun, Qingdao, Zhengzhou and Wuhu, will hold various contests that show the physical and intellectual capabilities of babies under three this year.

Deng Li, director-general of the Children's Welfare Department of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), said at the opening ceremony that many Chinese parents lacked knowledge about how to raise and protect infants in a proper way. She stressed that children should be offered good care and education in early childhood for their potential development.

As for the misunderstandings on infant care which lead to some children being overweight or having unacceptable behavior, the sponsors organized related experts to do research and work out reference material for parents. According to the reference material, children's health condition could be established based on the standards of both their physical and mental health.

Hong Tianhui, vice-president and member of the Secretariat of the ACWF, experts on infant care, presidents of local women's federations, and representatives of parents attended the ceremony.

(Source: women.org.cn / Translated by womenofchina.cn)