Teaching Chinese at Home

[tamarind]

I used to print out some worksheets for my boy to practice handwriting.


What I do is just type in Microsoft word and change to a very light colour. Then my boy can write over it.

If your computer cannot input Chinese, just use this online website, then copy and paste.
http://www.chinese-tools.com/tools/ime.html

[Happybirdks]

Beikiasu:

feeling very tired i need to teach both dds two languages at the same time.i need to teach dd2 K2 to read Enligh, she stil not yet able to read by herself. i hardly read any Chinese books to her. As for dd1 P3,i have to improve her Chinese if not she is going to fail her chinese soon. i need to read P3 standard chinese to her than she read to me everyday. Why i have t read so many things.....

Hi Beikiasu

I have a few kids too so understand how you feel right now. I also have to teach them a few subjects each.

For your dd2 English, you can try Peter and Jane book, though it's pretty boring. But it's effective. Her kindergarten will cover phonics, so that will help too. My 3rd kid only started to pick up reading end last year at K2. He is in P1 now, can read so much better, thought I won't say proficiently. Sometimes it may be your child hasn't 'kai qiao' yet, but once she got it, you will find her speeding up in her reading. This is what I observed in my nephews and own kids too. My 3rd child's k2 teacher said that too.

As for your P3 child, perhaps you can send her to enrichment centres where they focus more on school curriculum, and you on the side just get her to do reading and cultivate her interest in chinese books. This way you won;t feel so stressed.

There are many interesting Chinese books and comics out there. Try the Maha Yuyi chinese bookstores at bras basah. Get them to recommend interesting and fun books to read. It's ok to downgrade to a lower reading grade for your gals as long as the books are fun. My first two kids who are in upper primary are also reading some of the books meant for my k1 kid. But they like it (cos i usually buy funny themes) and now willing to read more 'chim' chinese books too.

Hope that helps.

[Happybirdks]

Has anyone come across books that show the evolution of chinese characters?


For example the word 鱼 was originally a drawing of a fish, then through generations changes were made a little each time till it looks like what it is now.

I am also looking for books similar to 字形画 as recommended in earlier posts, but with more realistic and closer mapping. For eg the word 龟 is shown mapped with a picture of tortoise and 羊 mapped with picture of lamb since the 2 characters really look like the animals.

Hope fellow mommies or daddies understand what i am trying to describe.

[tankee]

there is a VideoCD & books series called 汉字宫, that shows the evolution of chinese characters.

[tree nymph]

tankee:

there is a VideoCD & books series called 汉字宫, that shows the evolution of chinese characters.

is it the animated one for the VCD? can you tell me where can i get it?

[tree nymph]

outsider:

Thanks tree nymph.

Think those from popular are mainly for name and it's not cheap... $10 a book.

Hi!

the software is 汉神-豪华版. its retailing for $299, then you can print any words you want in outline and i think in several fonts too. there's a student version, but that one you can't print out. Both sofeware will be able to show/demo how the chinese characters should be writted. i'm deciding if i should get the deluxe or the student version.. actually still thinking if i should invest in this or not...

[tankee]

tree nymph:

tankee:

there is a VideoCD & books series called 汉字宫, that shows the evolution of chinese characters.

is it the animated one for the VCD? can you tell me where can i get it?

My copy was bought in China by my FIL's friend.

Just saw this on our website ... it has been reviewed here :oops:

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/learning-chinese-vcddvd-han-zi-gong

[hquek]

tankee:

My copy was bought in China by my FIL's friend.

Just saw this on our website ... it has been reviewed here :oops:

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/learning-chinese-vcddvd-han-zi-gong

hi tankee, do you remember how much it was? Just curious how different the price can get for software.

[tankee]

My FIL mentioned something like S$100+ … I did not see the bill so it may be a bit understated?


According to the review here, it is S$399.

I understand there is option of VCD or DVD, the latter being more expensive.

[RAchelmum]

Han Zi Gong 汉字宫 is more for older children & personally find it is not the most interesting VCD/ DVD for learning Chinese character.


Check out the clips here:
http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/eFppD7tfa3U/
http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/PMeMCOUeFHs/


Found these other animated programs give better illustrations of evolution of chinese characters.

魔术认字
http://v.ku6.com/moshurenzi

全脑通识字
http://so.ku6.com/v/q%E5%85%A8%E8%84%91%E9%80%9A%E8%AF%86%E5%AD%97

蓝猫幼儿识字
http://so.ku6.com/v/q%E5%B9%BC%E5%84%BF%E8%AF%86%E5%AD%97+%E8%93%9D%E7%8C%AB%E5%B9%BC%E5%84%BF%E8%AF%86%E5%AD%97

Cheers