Make Learning Chinese FUN | More!

Continuing from my last post on "Make Learning Chinese FUN!", I have a few more good books to recommend to parents. Mainly targeting at Preschoolers and Kindergarten children, these books contain brightly coloured illustrations, easy-to-read and understand sentences, and interesting hands-on activities.

If you could still recall the simple rule of learning a language, "listen-recognise-speak-read-write" , this book focuses on developing a child's ability to recognise basic words.

Again, themes that revolves around our daily lives are introduced here. Your child can cut the words out if he is able to hold a pair of scissors steadily and with care, and paste them onto the appropriate boxes to label the family members shown in the picture. Not only can your child practice his fine motor skills, he is also having fun. Even adults are attracted to the workbook. Hee...

This book on Chinese Language Usage concentrates more on strokes, sequence of strokes and opposite words.

Same thing as usual, do not rush down to writing. Do this together with your child - raise up one finger to the air, say the strokes out loud and trace in the air at the same time. Then, your child may attempt writing. There are some simple cut and paste activities for your child to engage in too. Who says Chinese is boring?

In your free time, sit down with your child comfortably and read a Chinese book. Books like 三字经 and 弟子规 are good to begin with.

弟子规 is a book of manners that we can teach to our children. It is illustrated in the form of comic strips. Prior to that, the book also has some simple explanations. Fun to read, and manners be taught. 三字经 is taught at certain preschools, like my child's. Though not the full version, at least she is able to recite to me. I enjoy reading with my child as it fosters a stronger bond.

Okay! I hope you have enjoyed the sneak peaks of these books that are useful for your child when learning Chinese. If you wish to know more, drop me a message and I would respond asap!

Love
BeezMom Serene

Make Chinese Learning FUN

Learning Chinese used to be a simple thing of the past, but not now. Majority of the kids now comes from English-speaking families. It would be a "thank-god" if the child understood what has been said to him in Mandarin. Even if the child speaks a little of Mandarin, he may sound a little "off", just like a Caucasian beginner.

Much has been reiterated by the government that it is important to grasp the ability to articulate fluently in 2 languages, at least. English and Chinese. A 3rd one would be a bonus (not dialect, pleaseeee...). China, being one of the largest and important pillars of the economy at present, makes it more prominent to us that Chinese and Mandarin is essential.

How do we then make learning Chinese fun and easy for our children? The old-school practice - Listen, speak, read and write. Notice that writing is placed last? Yes! Even babies learn their languages through listening first. The mimicking, learning to read and write comes at a much later stage. This holds true for learning any languages.

The approach to my 5 year old at home begins with books that have single, big words, and colourful pictures. These are some basic books for preschoolers up to Kindergarten, Book #1 to #3.

For a start from Book #1, my child learns words from themes like "My Body", "Comparisons", "Plants", and "Nature". Below is a snapshot of the content of Book #1.

Learning has to be kept simple and lively. Songs and poems are good to be incorporated too. Here, my child learns the basic strokes, understands how a character has evolved from the past, and how it can be used to form a word. There are reading and singing activities too. How fun it can be!

As language can only be mastered with diligent practice, it is best to either read daily or on every other day to reinforce learning.

For Books #2 and #3, we are ready to take a step further. Themes like "My Family", "My School", "My Home", "My Pets", "Market Place", are popular amongst educators. Children can relate them to what they see and do in their daily lives. Familiarity. When they can visualise and relate, they can learn and comprehend much better.

Do note that there are Hanyu Pinyin provided beneath each word. We can slowly introduce Hanyu Pinyin to our children as we use these books. It is never too late to start.

And remember, to aid in learning, point to things and recall what they are called in Chinese when you are at outdoors.

If your child is confident holding a pencil and writing, try simple writing books like the ones shown below.

How to make full use of writing books? Do not jump straight to writing them. Read along with your child on the words. Go through the different strokes and their sequence. It is important to build a strong foundation. Then, trace the dotted words, and slowly attempt. Don't despair if your child can't seem to write yet. Hold his little hand and try again. Give plenty of encouragement, and praise, praise, praise!

There are more books that I highly recommend, and would reveal more in my next post. If you can't wait to know more, leave me a message. (",)

Useful Links:

https://www.facebook.com/ShaoLanChineasy/
http://www.chineasy.com/

I hope you find this post useful and have an enjoyable time bonding with your child through learning!

Love
BeezMom Serene