The parenting methods advocated by Amy Chua in her 2011 best-seller Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother are psychologically harmful to children, according to a top Chinese educator.

“I don’t encourage what Chua did to her children, as the rules she made are harmful to their psychological development,” said Chen Yunying, director of the National Institute of Education Science’s Research Center for Psychological and Special Education.

The methods adopted by Chua, a professor at Yale Law School, in raising her two daughters, Sophia and Louisa, ignited a worldwide debate on parenting. Sophia, accepted at both Yale and Harvard colleges,has chosen to attend Harvard.

“Chinese moms wouldn’t be so rough on their kids,” Chen said. She advocates a balanced parenting method.

The NBA basketball star Jeremy Lin, another American-born Chinese, is a good example of good parenting, Chen said.

“Lin’s case is terrific as his parents respected his hobbies, but also put emphasis on his studies. Lin himself is a humble and hard-working kid, too.” Chen said.

“Let kids develop naturally instead of forcing them to learn what you want.” Chen said. “It’s easier for them to be successful doing what they like,” Chen advised. “But you also ensure they don’t fall behind in their studies.”

Even if Lin failed in his NBA career, he would have no trouble finding a decent job, Chen said. “ That is not true for most athletes on the Chinese mainland, ” she added.