Learning Chinese (Primary/Preschool)
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Does anyone have recommendations for fun Chinese books or videos or TV shows etc. to teach kids to like Chinese? Mine are 6 and 3 years old; the 6-year-old has started complaining about Berries and the 3-year-old refuses to speak Chinese at childcare (he answers in English when the Chinese teacher speaks to him, but he does give appropriate answers). We don’t speak Chinese at home at all - when I speak Chinese at the hawker centre, the hawkers often take pity on me and reply in English. But I’m coming round to the idea that if I want the kids to be willing to learn Chinese, I’m going to have to learn Chinese myself. I can go to the library and randomly pick some Chinese books, but is there a better way than that? I’m not worried about the syllabus (yet!), just about getting the kids to like and use the language.
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glitterpen\" post_id=\"2031939\" time=\"1627316678\" user_id=\"187525:
Try searching YouTube kids for the Mandarin version of your kids’ fav cartoons.
Does anyone have recommendations for fun Chinese books or videos or TV shows etc. to teach kids to like Chinese? Mine are 6 and 3 years old; the 6-year-old has started complaining about Berries and the 3-year-old refuses to speak Chinese at childcare (he answers in English when the Chinese teacher speaks to him, but he does give appropriate answers). We don't speak Chinese at home at all - when I speak Chinese at the hawker centre, the hawkers often take pity on me and reply in English. But I'm coming round to the idea that if I want the kids to be willing to learn Chinese, I'm going to have to learn Chinese myself. I can go to the library and randomly pick some Chinese books, but is there a better way than that? I'm not worried about the syllabus (yet!), just about getting the kids to like and use the language.
Dora the Explorer has bilingual (Mandarin-English) versions. There is also Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in Mandarin. -
glitterpen\" post_id=\"2031939\" time=\"1627316678\" user_id=\"187525:
I think there are a few different issues here. First, if you want CL in school to be easy for them (i.e. score well), speaking as much Chinese as possible at home is a huge help. Obviously there is a tradeoff with their English language development and being able to effectively communicate with them. But regardless of which type of school they go to, most of the communications will be in English and this is the language that they will default to with the vast majority of their peers. Hence, anything you can do to get them more exposure to Chinese will be a boost.
Does anyone have recommendations for fun Chinese books or videos or TV shows etc. to teach kids to like Chinese? Mine are 6 and 3 years old; the 6-year-old has started complaining about Berries and the 3-year-old refuses to speak Chinese at childcare (he answers in English when the Chinese teacher speaks to him, but he does give appropriate answers). We don't speak Chinese at home at all - when I speak Chinese at the hawker centre, the hawkers often take pity on me and reply in English. But I'm coming round to the idea that if I want the kids to be willing to learn Chinese, I'm going to have to learn Chinese myself. I can go to the library and randomly pick some Chinese books, but is there a better way than that? I'm not worried about the syllabus (yet!), just about getting the kids to like and use the language.
Second, I know you are not there yet but as it relates to school work try to avoid the situation where CL is viewed as the \"worst subject\" or homework/revision must be done because of the gap vs. other subjects. No one (including adults) likes doing things they are \"bad\" at. Instead, try to get them to focus on and take joy in improving any little bit they can. Even if CL is still the lowest scoring subject, their mindset will be quite different (i.e. they may like the challenge of improving and enjoy the process of learning).
Lastly, some of the cartoons mentioned or movies can be a good way to get them interested. Probably not possible right now with COVID but perhaps find some similar aged friends that are in the same spot. If they can meet up to watch Chinese movies or play Chinese games, perhaps it will be more fun for them than \"lessons\" (preschool/kindergarten, tuition, or whatever). I don't know that there's really a magic set of books or materials to get them interested and would say a positive attitude/environment from all parties involved will have a bigger impact. That being said, you could see if the most basic materials from the following website are suitable for your older child. I think most schools are using some of these materials and the eZhishi platform in primary school.
https://www.ezhishi.net/Contents/Magazines_reading_h.html
Good luck, it is not easy. -
glitterpen\" post_id=\"2031939\" time=\"1627316678\" user_id=\"187525:
Adding on to what zac's mum and SG_KP1 shared, you can look into different ways to engage your children in CL learning and exposure through 听、说、读、写
Does anyone have recommendations for fun Chinese books or videos or TV shows etc. to teach kids to like Chinese? Mine are 6 and 3 years old; the 6-year-old has started complaining about Berries and the 3-year-old refuses to speak Chinese at childcare (he answers in English when the Chinese teacher speaks to him, but he does give appropriate answers). We don't speak Chinese at home at all - when I speak Chinese at the hawker centre, the hawkers often take pity on me and reply in English. But I'm coming round to the idea that if I want the kids to be willing to learn Chinese, I'm going to have to learn Chinese myself. I can go to the library and randomly pick some Chinese books, but is there a better way than that? I'm not worried about the syllabus (yet!), just about getting the kids to like and use the language.
听、说、读
1. Capital 958《周末早早起》has a 《少儿天地》segment on Sunday mornings
https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/%E5%B0%91%E5%84%BF%E5%A4%A9%E5%9C%B0
2. 四五快读（previously shared https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=21384&start=690#p1982294）
Recently brought a set for my relative at https://shopee.sg/%E2%AD%90-Sg-READY-STOCK%E2%AD%90-%E5%9B%9B%E4%BA%94%E5%BF%AB%E8%AF%BB%E2%9E%95%E5%9B%9B%E4%BA%94%E5%BF%AB%E7%AE%97Si-wu-kuai-du-si-wu-kuai-suan%E2%98%9EChinese-learning-books-for-Children-%2816-books-set%29-i.279387885.5350833270?__hybrid_pc__=1&stm_referrer= (used to be ~$40!
)
3. 绘本 (picture books)
The simple yet meaningful content + attractive illustrations in them can be a good way to your child's interest/willingness to learn CL. You can start off with the help of audiobook version first, before moving on to hardcopy/softcopy ones (library/download ppt/pdf version online) - where you and/or your children can do the reading. During/After the story, you can discuss about the plot/characters and share your views/moral learnt from the story etc.
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa0r6jUgyRbEJi21qP38RBA
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJw4BKTnSqvl6G2RK1tiP5w
4. Nursery rhymes，songs and short stories
- https://www.youtube.com/user/babybus1000/videos BabyBus CL version
- https://www.youtube.com/c/PinkfongTW/videos Pingfong CL version
- https://www.youtube.com/user/childrenchannelify - includes playlists of animations like 《新《大头儿子和小头爸爸》
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5RXIm3V5O1Vp7Jmlwbg9Mw/videos
写
1. 硬笔控笔训练 Chinese Copybook
I was first exposed to this via 抖音. Besides training hand writing (neatness & tidiness), it reinforces the child's understanding/recognition of various strokes/radicals (in a way, when they learn to write chinese characters, it won't be as daunting as the characters can be \"broken down\")
https://www.lazada.sg/products/calligraphy-practice-gadget-pre-school-beginner-groove-quick-regular-script-children-primary-school-student-chinese-good-character-set-writing-copybook-i134508102-s156319724.html
https://www.lazada.sg/products/chinese-copybook-for-calligraphy-books-for-kids-word-childrens-book-handwriting-children-writing-learning-hanzi-practice-book-i911604961-s3193456363.html -
zac's mum\" post_id=\"2031957\" time=\"1627346548\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2031957 time=1627346548 user_id=53606]
Thank you! I've so far avoided Dora the Explorer but it might be in my future.glitterpen\" post_id=\"2031939\" time=\"1627316678\" user_id=\"187525:
Try searching YouTube kids for the Mandarin version of your kids’ fav cartoons.Does anyone have recommendations for fun Chinese books or videos or TV shows etc. to teach kids to like Chinese? Mine are 6 and 3 years old; the 6-year-old has started complaining about Berries and the 3-year-old refuses to speak Chinese at childcare (he answers in English when the Chinese teacher speaks to him, but he does give appropriate answers). We don't speak Chinese at home at all - when I speak Chinese at the hawker centre, the hawkers often take pity on me and reply in English. But I'm coming round to the idea that if I want the kids to be willing to learn Chinese, I'm going to have to learn Chinese myself. I can go to the library and randomly pick some Chinese books, but is there a better way than that? I'm not worried about the syllabus (yet!), just about getting the kids to like and use the language.
Dora the Explorer has bilingual (Mandarin-English) versions. There is also Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in Mandarin.[/quote]
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SG_KP1\" post_id=\"2031965\" time=\"1627350219\" user_id=\"188234:
Thank you! Yah I guess there is no life hack for learning a language other than constant exposure and practice. I don't *not* want them to score well but it's early days for that; I'd settle for their being willing to speak it, and I worry that their attitude to it comes from me (it probably does, at that).
I think there are a few different issues here. First, if you want CL in school to be easy for them (i.e. score well), speaking as much Chinese as possible at home is a huge help. Obviously there is a tradeoff with their English language development and being able to effectively communicate with them. But regardless of which type of school they go to, most of the communications will be in English and this is the language that they will default to with the vast majority of their peers. Hence, anything you can do to get them more exposure to Chinese will be a boost.
Second, I know you are not there yet but as it relates to school work try to avoid the situation where CL is viewed as the \"worst subject\" or homework/revision must be done because of the gap vs. other subjects. No one (including adults) likes doing things they are \"bad\" at. Instead, try to get them to focus on and take joy in improving any little bit they can. Even if CL is still the lowest scoring subject, their mindset will be quite different (i.e. they may like the challenge of improving and enjoy the process of learning).
Lastly, some of the cartoons mentioned or movies can be a good way to get them interested. Probably not possible right now with COVID but perhaps find some similar aged friends that are in the same spot. If they can meet up to watch Chinese movies or play Chinese games, perhaps it will be more fun for them than \"lessons\" (preschool/kindergarten, tuition, or whatever). I don't know that there's really a magic set of books or materials to get them interested and would say a positive attitude/environment from all parties involved will have a bigger impact. That being said, you could see if the most basic materials from the following website are suitable for your older child. I think most schools are using some of these materials and the eZhishi platform in primary school.
https://www.ezhishi.net/Contents/Magazines_reading_h.html
Good luck, it is not easy. -
Thank you! This is a terrific list. No excuse for me not to put the work in now.
chenlaoshi\" post_id=\"2031975\" time=\"1627358245\" user_id=\"162894:
Adding on to what zac's mum and SG_KP1 shared, you can look into different ways to engage your children in CL learning and exposure through 听、说、读、写
听、说、读
1. Capital 958《周末早早起》has a 《少儿天地》segment on Sunday mornings
https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/%E5%B0%91%E5%84%BF%E5%A4%A9%E5%9C%B0
2. 四五快读（previously shared https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=21384&start=690#p1982294）
Recently brought a set for my relative at https://shopee.sg/%E2%AD%90-Sg-READY-STOCK%E2%AD%90-%E5%9B%9B%E4%BA%94%E5%BF%AB%E8%AF%BB%E2%9E%95%E5%9B%9B%E4%BA%94%E5%BF%AB%E7%AE%97Si-wu-kuai-du-si-wu-kuai-suan%E2%98%9EChinese-learning-books-for-Children-%2816-books-set%29-i.279387885.5350833270?__hybrid_pc__=1&stm_referrer= (used to be ~$40! )
3. 绘本 (picture books)
The simple yet meaningful content + attractive illustrations in them can be a good way to your child's interest/willingness to learn CL. You can start off with the help of audiobook version first, before moving on to hardcopy/softcopy ones (library/download ppt/pdf version online) - where you and/or your children can do the reading. During/After the story, you can discuss about the plot/characters and share your views/moral learnt from the story etc.
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa0r6jUgyRbEJi21qP38RBA
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJw4BKTnSqvl6G2RK1tiP5w
4. Nursery rhymes，songs and short stories
- https://www.youtube.com/user/babybus1000/videos BabyBus CL version
- https://www.youtube.com/c/PinkfongTW/videos Pingfong CL version
- https://www.youtube.com/user/childrenchannelify - includes playlists of animations like 《新《大头儿子和小头爸爸》
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5RXIm3V5O1Vp7Jmlwbg9Mw/videos
写
1. 硬笔控笔训练 Chinese Copybook
I was first exposed to this via 抖音. Besides training hand writing (neatness & tidiness), it reinforces the child's understanding/recognition of various strokes/radicals (in a way, when they learn to write chinese characters, it won't be as daunting as the characters can be \"broken down\")
https://www.lazada.sg/products/calligraphy-practice-gadget-pre-school-beginner-groove-quick-regular-script-children-primary-school-student-chinese-good-character-set-writing-copybook-i134508102-s156319724.html
https://www.lazada.sg/products/chinese-copybook-for-calligraphy-books-for-kids-word-childrens-book-handwriting-children-writing-learning-hanzi-practice-book-i911604961-s3193456363.html -
Which enrichment centre is good if my child is weak in comprehension? Thank you!
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Jamiek\" post_id=\"2036617\" time=\"1630859635\" user_id=\"159832:
Hi, HCL Education? - they strategize comprehension answering into, iirc, Background Feelings etcetera (I'm not sure how it exactly works though...)
Which enrichment centre is good if my child is weak in comprehension?... -
I’m considering HCL too. Any feedback on HCL?
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