Some people do a job all their lives. And for them, it is only a way to make money. But Carole Cassidy and Russ Cassidy are lucky. They worked as teachers with interest and got lots of pleasure. Now they are retired (已退休的) and luck is still with them.

“We just didn’t want to be sitting and not doing anything,” Carole said. “We tried a few things, but they were not for us.” Soon, they learned the Princeton Public Library’s Children’s Storytime program (计划) and wanted to play a role in it.

“We were lucky. They came and found us and asked to come to help,” Rebecca Marrs, Children’s Librarian at the Princeton Public Library said. Marrs said the kids loved the retired teachers.

The Cassidys said that they didn’t ask the children to sit quietly during the story time. They understand that children can listen while playing. “I love being with kids. I enjoy watching kids playing together and using their imagination (想象力) most,” Carole said. “For example, I asked them why they made a robot (机器人) with bricks (积木) and they told their reasons to me. Their imagination is so good.”

Students from a Middle School, experience farming during their Labor course. Housework like cooking and washing always ends up at the bottom of many of our to-do lists. Some people even think that it should be taken care of by their parents.

However, these life skills are important and should be taught as part of labor education. On June 3, 2020, the Ministry of Education (MOE) (教育部) gave a revised (修订后的) course for high schools across the county. Labor education, also called education on the hardworking spirit, ranges from housework to school labor and community voluntary services (社会志愿服务).

“Labor education must be carried out with the aim to develop the view of the world, life and values and develop an interest in doing labor,” said Zheng Fuzhi, a Vice-Minister (副部长) of Education.

According to China Youth Daily, the labor course will take six credits—the same as foreign language and physics. Voluntary service, as a part of labor education, would take two credits. The MOE also asks schools to make sure 40 hours of voluntary service during the full three school years.

According to Xinhua, adding labor education was out of care that the country’s youngsters do too little housework and they think labor jobs aren’t important. Because of a lot of school stress, schools pay more attention to the educational course, and parents sometimes think that housework wastes their kids’ time.

According to a survey, primary and middle school students in China only spend 12 minutes a day on chores, compared to 72 minutes in the US, 42 minutes in South Korea and 30 minutes in France.

However, doing housework does not take young people’s attention away. Instead, it is necessary for developing a strong working spirit. “The earlier you start, the better…” the writer of How to Raise an Adult said.

Last year, the First class for New School Year moved the classroom to the Chinese space station. Through the “heaven and earth connection” way, three astronauts Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming, Tang Hongbo were invited to give a special “space teaching” to the students.

Astronaut, Liu Boming took the students to the space station in the form of Vlog, showing the space kitchen, hot air device, drinking water system and other facilities (设备).

Nie showed a flute, an old Chinese musical instrument and a special family photo of all the astronauts.

Tang Hongbo prepared a scientific experiment (科学实验) for the students — “growing sweet potatoes in space.” Tang Hongbo also sent a message — “The road of life is long, so do not give up your dream. You are sure to meet difficulties but life is always full of hope. Keep working.”

After teaching, in order to let the students know how the astronauts exercise and build a strong body, the three astronauts led the children on the spot to play “Sky Tai Chi”.

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