Resources for Kids Learning Mandarin
Since the time my older one was 3, we have tried many ways to teach our kids Mandarin. It hasn't been easy, since my family speaks Taiwanese & English at home, and I only learned a little bit of Mandarin in Chinese school as a kid. The kids have taken classes at Language Stars, Mao Bi (now closed), and at home with a private tutor. We also enrolled them in a 1-week Chinese Folk Arts Camp last summer, and we've tried countless videos, books, flash cards--you name it.
Here's a list of resources we've used:
Flash cards:
Kuaile Hanyu flash cards
Books:
My First Chinese Words
First Thousand Words in Chinese
Little Laura and the Birthday Surprise
Mandy and Pandy Say, "Ni Hao Ma?"
My House--Berlitz Kids Lift-the-flap Board Book
At the Beach
The Pet Dragon
Gordon & Li Li
E-Readbook
CDs:
Chinese Children's Songs CD
Videos/DVDs:
Ni Hao, Kai-lan
Sagwa
Early Start Mandarin Chinese with Bao Bei the Panda
Chinese for Kids: Learn Chinese
Play and Learn Chinese with Mei Mei
Miss Panda Chinese
Little Pim
Let's Go Guang
Muzzy Mandarin Chinese
Pleasant Goat & Big Big Wolf
Toys:
Ling Speaks Chinese Doll
Computer Games & Apps:
Kids Mandarin
Doodle Chinese
Chinese For Munchkins
123 Calling, a Story of the Chinese Zodiac
Ni Hao, Kai-lan: New Year's Celebration (Nintendo DS)
Gordon & Li Li
Feed Me!
KidSpeak computer game
My Chinese Coach (Nintendo DS)
My First Chinese Reader iBook (Volume 1)
Discovering Chinese
For little ones, I think the most helpful materials were the Kuaile Hanyu flash cards and My First Chinese Words. I also liked Gordon & Li Li's app and Feed Me! For older kids, I think My First Chinese Reader iBook and Discovering Chinese would be most useful. For those of you trying to teach Mandarin to your kids, what resources have helped you the most?
Comments
This is a great comprehensive
This is a great comprehensive list. Thanks for sifting through it all by providing your recommendations!
Hi Bicultural Mama,
As I was compiling the list, I realized just how much stuff there is--we really need to put it to better use!
Thank you
Thank you for compiling this list! This a great collection of resources! I will look into these to see which I can use for my Toddler Class and which I can just for my kids (ages 5 and 9). We have some materials at home already, but I can also offer these as a resource for my students' parents as well.
This is so great. Thanks again!
Hi Sandra,
You're welcome! I'm sure there are many more resources out there. I'll keep adding to the list as I they come.
i wish i could come up with
i wish i could come up with something similar for my kids. :)
thanks for visiting my blog and finding me on twitter! i just subscribed! i love that we both have "mommy" in our blog titles. :)
have a great wknd!
kisses,
jasmine
ADAM ❤ ALEX
Hi Jas of AdamAlexMommy,
I just posted on your FB page about Korable Block--check it out!
Hi Jas! Small world!
Hi Jas! Small world!
Thanks for compiling a list!
Thanks for compiling a list! I was keeping a digital one on my computer but this is much more comprehensive!
Hi Lisacng,
You're welcome--I'd love to see what you have on your list, too!
Thanks for the list. I was
Thanks for the list. I was packing my girls stuff yesterday n realised only 10% of her books are Chinese. Looks like I need to buy more..
Hi Madeline,
You're welcome--I'd love to hear which of your girls' books are your favorites!
Thanks for the links :) I'm
Thanks for the links :) I'm happy to say that my 7 year old enjoys going to school now because she has learned a lot of Mandarin in the Chinese-based government school. Since I don't know Mandarin at all, I use www.nciku.com to help her with some homework :)
Thank you for including us!
What a resourceful list! Thank you for including us on your list. My two kids' new favorite apps are Piggy Picnic and CW Board Game. The more tools we have the easier it is to maintain the children's interest in learning a language. Always keep learning fun!
Hi Amanda Miss Panda,
I agree--the key to learning is making it interactive and fun!
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