Comments on: Learn Chinese with Your Kids: Games, Videos, Apps, Books and More!

By: kidworldcitizen

kidworldcitizen — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 11:24:47 +0000

In reply to Chris. How exciting! We also went the SN route!:) As I type this, we are hosting an exchange student from Taiwan, and she is attempting to teach us some words in Chinese. I love learning about my son's culture and heritage language. Good luck in your journey!

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 11:15:40 +0000

Wow! Thank you so much! We just turned in our applications, and are starting the home study process and then the wait for a referral will begin. I’m sure we’ll have lots of time to learn! We listed on our application that we are open to a girl between the ages of 0-4 years. Also, since the current wait time is 6 years for a child from China, we choose to accept a special needs child. (Oddly enough- special needs can simply mean over the age if 3!)The wait time for special needs can be as short as 12-18 months after application. Obviously, we’re hoping for a shorter wait! Thanks again for your tips! I took a group of my students to China about 6 years ago and all I can remember is Ni Hou!! Time to get studying!!

By: kidworldcitizen

kidworldcitizen — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 00:57:41 +0000

In reply to Chris.

Congratulations!:) How old will your daughter be at arrival? My son was almost 4 (from China) and my other son was 3 (from Ethiopia). The great thing is that they learned English really quickly because they were so young. We also speak Spanish at home, and they also learned Spanish! I think if you guys learn some words in Chinese, she would feel that much more comfortable! We learned hug, kiss, I love you, potty (SO IMPORTANT!:), eat, come, don’t run, don’t hit (hehe, we learned those because our guide would repeat them constantly to the group of boys in our group:), mom, dad, brother, sister. Also my favorite saying was one that the guide used 1000 times a day: “hao bu hao?” literally meaning “good no good?” but really it was just asking if something was ok. So if we gave them food, she would ask “hao bu hao?” and the child would answer either “hao” (good) or bu hao (bad). We used to say that for everything:). Good luck and keep in touch!:)

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 00:38:16 +0000

Thank you for this wonderful list of resources! We just started the process of an international adoption via China. My 4 year old biological son has expressed some nervousness about his new sister not being able to speak English. I think I will use these resources to help him learn some Chinese words. This will hopefully help everyone’s transition!

By: kidworldcitizen

kidworldcitizen — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:34:27 +0000

In reply to Melissa Ash. Oh, that is so cool!! Is it at school?

By: Melissa Ash

Melissa Ash — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:00:07 +0000

Thank you! We are stepping into the Chinese Immersion world next year, and I am a little nervous, but super, super excited! Thanks for some great resources!

By: kidworldcitizen

kidworldcitizen — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:35:19 +0000

In reply to ES. How fantastic that you want your kids to learn Mandarin:). I finally was able to go through the resources, and found several that do not include English. The second CD I listed (Baby's First Words in Chinese) does not have English- it is only speaking and music in Chinese. Also, the next link about listening to Chinese rhymes and songs on-line is only in Mandarin. For the DVD's, Little Pim would be great for you (and there are many clips on youtube if you want to preview or use directly from your computer). The Chinese Tone Game from the BBC is only listening practice (more for older kids), and they do not need to speak English to play. Also, the PBS game (although it has the English word) uses pictures to match with the characters, so that would be appropriate. This is the case for the free apps as well- there are English words, but the games/flashcards are picture-based, so your kids could use the pictures to learn the vocabulary. I hope that this helps! What language do your children speak? I bet the Asia Society could help you locate additional resources- they are located around the world, and are very interested in promoting Asian languages:).

By: ES

ES — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:17:46 +0000

Great collection!

I wonder, did you come across any children’s beginner’s resource that does NOT use English (a mandarin-only for beginners)? My kids don’t speak English but want to learn mandarin.