When 3-year-old RuFang was asked to take part in a preschool role reversal game called “Let me be Mama,” she accepted with enthusiasm. Though her entire young life has been spent at the Chuzhou Children’s Welfare Institution, RuFang easily slipped into the mother's role with no direction from her teachers. She gave “her children” lots of hugs, quietly said “mama” over and over, and patiently helped them put on their clothes, wash their faces, and comb their hair.

It was easy and natural because throughout her years at the institution she has received doting, mom-like care -- first from her Half the Sky nanny and then from her Half the Sky preschool teacher.

It was RuFang’s nanny He Xinnian who noticed when she was an infant that she liked to use a teething ring to help her get to sleep and her adorable sleeping position: “She hides her thumbs in her fingers and puts her little fists on either side of her head.”

He Xinnian also noticed when RuFang was a toddler that she loved dressing up, so she braided her hair, helped her choose beautiful clothes, and watched her “stare happily at her reflection in the mirror for a long time.”

It was RuFang’s teacher Wen Gongqin who noticed how much she missed her nanny when she moved on to preschool and worked so hard to establish the same kind of emotional bond that she had already established with her nanny. “I wanted her to feel my love for her.”

Every day Wen Gongqin greeted RuFang with a hug and a kiss, played games with her, held her in her arms, fed her, washed her face and hands, and changed her diapers, loving care that RuFang would mimic months later in her role reversal game. She also frequently took RuFang to visit her beloved former nanny: “Gradually RuFang began to like to stay with me. When she saw me she walked to me, pulled my hands, and kissed me.”

Even after establishing a deep bond with RuFang, Wen Gongqin worried that she had become a little introverted and timid, not the “curious and smart” child her nanny kept boasting about. So Wen Gongqin started inviting other children to join her and RuFang when they played, and was delighted the first time she saw RuFang dancing “hand in hand” with her classmates.

As RuFang became more comfortable with her environment, Wen Gongqin made sure she was frequently named class monitor, which meant that she distributed snacks and toys to the children. RuFang took her job very seriously telling each child: “This cookie is for Chuanqi. This one is for Zongmeng,” etc. Soon she had memorized the names of all 10 children in the class and was eagerly taking part in group activities.

In addition to becoming more social, RuFang has become more curious—she is constantly asking questions. “Mama, what’s this?” “Mama, look! There is a big car.” “Flowers!”

Wen Gongqin is thrilled that RuFang has become the curious, smart child her nanny knew her to be. “I am very happy about her improvement. Of course I show my appreciation for her with a warm hug and encouraging applause.” And like every mom, Wen Gongqin looks forward to watching endlessly fascinating RuFang grow up. “I know there will be a lot more fun and surprises from RuFang.”