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Here is a book that invites teachers to the table – even those of us who don’t see ourselves as cooks – to create tasty, wholesome projects with children…. More >>

The Cooking Book: Fostering Young Children’s Learning and Delight

On method for those households that don’t have a native speaker is hiring of a nanny who speaks Chinese. The NY Times had an article noting the increase in au pairs from China. It is also possible to arrange play dates with other children who are learning Chinese as well as finding a Chinese speaking babysitter. Local universities will often have spouses of Chinese working on Masters and PhD’s who are looking for extra income. Another option is finding a local nanny, and there are a number around. If you are in public service, please remember Zoe Baird on the requirements for legally hiring a nanny. Truth to be told, there is a large population of people in the US from China who don’t have papers who work as nannies, so be careful. Nannies are also taking care of your children, so picking the right person is extremely important, especially if they live with you. Friends of ours have gone through multiple nannies and it was not a good experience.

Online Programs for Teaching Chinese

There are also programs to expose Children to Chinese at a young age. I am not aware of any that are online for English speakers at this time. There are online programs for adults learning Chinese as well as native speakers.

Private Chinese Schools

Traditionally non-public Chinese Schools in the US start teaching children when they are old to sit still and copy characters. Most schools are still using traditional teaching rote teaching methods still used in Taiwan and China. For the most part with children in the US, it does not work due to culture classes. There is a huge amount of independence in children in the US and using boring teaching methods that do not capture the interest of the child so they want to go to school without a lot of parental pushing will end up in failure. With the child being forced to go to school and often treating it as just babysitting, and not learning Chinese.

An alternative is finding a school that uses more of a Montessori Method or what is used in ESL where there is a lot of conversation. I was pleasantly surprised by my daughter’s public school language teacher who spoke of using this method in the classroom, instead of the traditional focus on grammar in learning many foreign languages. At a young age, I would suggest programs that teach using a lot of singing and other fun activities.

Summer Camps

Going to a summer camp in a full immersion environment is a great way to learn Chinese! Each year ChildBook publishes the largest list I have found of Summer Chinese Programs. These range from weekend programs in the US to programs that include a boarding school to programs in China and Taiwan. I favor the full immersion process as a great way to Learn Chinese.

Chinese Learning Products

CD’s for Learning Chinese

CD’s come in two different types. One is products that are 100% Chinese of Chinese Children Songs or stories only in Chinese. Some products include a book of lyrics in Chinese, and other’s don’t. Other products are designed to teach Chinese and have a booklet with lyrics in English, Pinyin, and Chinese Characters. The teaching Chinese products are both from from the US (the majority) and a series from Singapore. The products for Teaching Chinese are bilingual, so the songs are sung in both Chinese and English. What I like about the CD’s is they give a parent a chance to be part of the process where they can Sing Happy Birthday in the Teach Me Chinese CD and Book in both English and Chinese (this series focuses on popular songs in Chinese and English). The other series have specially written songs for Teaching Chinese. The Teach Me Chinese Series has Teacher Guides available. The Sing & Learn Chinese CD & Book includes a track of the songs without words (like Karoke). Let’s Sing Chinese is a 3 product series from Singapore that has both familiar songs and new ones. 3 is the most I have seen of any series of Cd’s for Teaching Chinese to Children.

Video’s for Learning Chinese

Video’s such as from Mei Mei use more of a hands on approach teaching basic Chinese vocabulary and she currently has five video’s in her series. From the first one that teaches counting and parts of the body with songs through an approach that children love to later ones that progress such as her Play and Learn Chinese with Mei Mei where an actual Chinese Kindergarten is visited. What is great about this video is it gives your Child the chance to compare their experience and see the differences between their school and the one in the video. From lunch to PE to naps. To select the right video for your child, I recommend reading the reviews (both good and bad).

Books for Learning Chinese

A great book for those just beginning to Learn Chinese is I Won’t Bite. It’s a touch and feel book that has Pinyin, Chinese Characters, and English. The challenge of using a book is often you need to know how to read Chinese, in order to teach from it. A fun book for exposing Children to Chinese Characters is Long Is A Dragon by Peggy Goldstein A selection of books for Learning Chinese Character

Software for Learning Chinese

Any day some Software should arrive that has been highly recommended by customers.

Finding Books for Babies and Toddlers

Finding affordable books for your baby or toddler is as easy as your local library. Many libraries offer board books that are wonderful for babies and toddlers. You can also watch for used book sales at your local library or check out garage sales in your area.

A quick internet search for child book of the month club will yield over 200 thousand results relating to book clubs for children. With a children?s book of the month club you will be able to select books from a catalog to have delivered directly to your home. The books are affordable and fun for kids. Your children will get excited each month when they are able to select which books to buy and then they will look forward to their monthly book delivery.

Storing Books for Children

Young children should be encouraged to open books and pretend to read on their own. Babies as young as 9 months to a year will open colorful board books and flip through the pages.

Keeping books accessible to babies and toddlers is as easy as setting up a low book shelf in your home to store all children?s books. You can also have your toddler decorate a cardboard box that is stored on the floor and filled with books. Even the car is a great place for books. Try keeping one or two favorite books in the car for your child to read while you are driving.

Selecting the Best Book for Babies and Toddlers

Babies up to about one year of age enjoy board books. This type of book has thick cardboard pages that turn easily. Soft cover and vinyl books are also available and allow babies to chew on the book with out harming themselves or the book.

Babies also like brightly colored books and books with pictures they can recognize. Animals, people, and everyday objects are a great place to start.

Toddlers like easy to turn pages and simple to follow story lines. Simple rhyming books that present a flowing rhythm engage toddlers and offer a soothing sound. Also look for books that tell a story without words. This gives toddlers the opportunity to read the pictures and make up a story.

When to Read to Young Children

When babies and young children are read to they are more likely to be successful in school and to develop a love for reading. Any time of day is a great time to read to children. Many experts agree that reading at bedtime offers a wonderful routine for children and parents. Each night before bed allow your child to select a book to read.

Be sure to remember that if your child wants to read, now is as good a time as any. When toddlers and young children ask you to read it is important to take the time and fill this need.