Panda's Art Presentation School

📖 "Tell me a story."

It sounds like a simple request—but for many private school interviews, it's an opportunity for children to demonstrate creativity, communication, confidence, and critical thinking.

So what makes a story stand out?

In this video, PAPS Adam shares what private schools often look for when evaluating a child's storytelling, along with practical techniques parents can start practicing at home.

You'll learn how to help your child:
✨ Capture the listener's attention from the beginning
✨ Make stories more engaging and interactive
✨ Add details, emotions, and expression naturally

Storytelling isn't just for school interviews—it's a lifelong skill that helps children communicate ideas, connect with others, and build confidence in everyday life.

🎥 Watch the video and try these tips with your child!

💬 We'd love to hear from you:
What's one storytelling habit your child is already good at, or something they're working on?

"I don't want to be the parent who pushes too hard..." – Clara's honest confession.

We've all felt that tug-of-war. We want to encourage our kids, but when does "support" cross the line into "pressure"?

That's exactly what PAPS sat down to explore. We brought together two incredible voices:

1. Adam – Principal of PAPS, who sees the big picture of youth development.
2. Clara – A mum of two wildly talented kids (one a national swimmer, one a musical composer!) who lives this balancing act every single day.

In this must-watch conversation, they tackle the questions every sports parent asks:
1. Should your child specialize in one sport, or try many?
2. Why training is about so much more than just physical fitness.
3. Clara's personal tips on finding a common language between your child and their sport (without the arguments!).

If you've ever worried about getting the balance wrong, this one's for you.

🎬 Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/yldtMu_yPM0
⬇️ And please subscribe! We've got more great content dropping soon.

Tag a fellow sports parent who needs to hear this! 👇

What We Learned Watching Kids Speak Their Minds 🎤

We spent a day filming PAPS 2026 public speaking competition.

And we walked away with one realization:
We underestimate what young people have to say.

One student found their voice telling a personal story.
One student broke the tension of forgetting their lines by laughing, breathing, and continuing.
One speaker moved the room not with polish, but with raw honesty.

The judges' feedback centered on three things:
🔹 Clarity of thought
🔹 Authenticity
🔹 The courage to take up space

Here's the thing:
Kids don't need to be perfect speakers.
They need to know that their voice matters.
That their ideas are worth hearing.
That the stage is not a test—it's a place to be seen.

We created a short video to capture that feeling.
Not to highlight winners.

But to remind everyone:
When we listen, we witness growth.

Adam, Principal of PAPS, and Yoyoe (founder of Claridge Real Estate and a mother) will share their firsthand experiences tackling the challenges of private school admissions in Vancouver, covering key topics such as the most common mistakes parents make during interviews, how far in advance to start preparing a child, and effective ways to build a child's confidence.

Full video: https://youtu.be/bExBDhouw-o

📚 Private School Seminar – For Parents

Are you considering private school for your child but not sure where to start?

Join us for an informative Private School Seminar designed to help parents navigate the admissions process, understand school options, and prepare their child for success.

📅 Date: Saturday, June 6
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Unit 215, 2052 West 41st Ave

What you'll learn:
✅ A complete roadmap of the private school application process
✅ Proven interview & essay techniques
✅ Real case studies from successful applicants
✅ One-on-one Q&A opportunity with Adam

👥 Space is limited – reserve your spot today!

📩 Comment below or message us to register.

We look forward to seeing you there!

An Often Overlooked Step in Private School Applications: Child Readiness Assessment

Many families start early — researching curricula, school culture, and升学 pathways.
They attend open houses, gather detailed information.
Yet when interview or group assessment day arrives, they find their child "doesn't show their best."

It's not that the child isn't capable.
The missing piece? A systematic, early look at the child's own readiness.

🔻 A recommendation: complete a holistic child readiness assessment at least 3 months before applications.

Focus on these five areas:

1️⃣ Behavior & Temperament
Can the child respond naturally and appropriately to adults in an unfamiliar setting?
Do they show basic emotional self-regulation?

2️⃣ Communication Skills
Can they express their thoughts clearly?
Do they understand and respond to open-ended questions?

3️⃣ Academic Foundation
Not about advanced knowledge.
Look at focus, task completion, and learning habits.

4️⃣ Physical Coordination
Simple actions: running, jumping, gripping, following movement instructions.
Many interviews include group activities.

5️⃣ Group Interaction
Especially important — confidence around peers.
Can they initiate or join play?
Do they take turns, wait, and navigate small conflicts?

✅ What often makes the real difference is not "how many vocabulary words they know."
It's: when other children are already playing together, does yours have the confidence to walk over?

An assessment 3 months ahead is not about "intensive drilling."
It's about gaining an objective starting point — so you know which areas to gently support before application season.