With two adopted daughters from China (and another little one that we will bring home early in the year), I’m continually asked how I integrate my children’s Chinese heritage into our observant Jewish household where Hebrew is the second language. Baby Learns Chinese has been an amazing asset for my girls.  With over ten different products, the system allows young children to gain a basic grasp of the language.  The system is comprised of DVD’s and flashcards. Baby Learns Chinese teaches children over 400 words in Mandarin (Putonghua) through the six DVD’s. As the series unfolds, children learn to read and speak the Chinese language.  English subtitles help guide the parents. There is also a two disk DVD set for kids to learn how to pronounce Chinese words through an alphabet-based phonetics system (Pinyin). This is geared to slightly older children ages 4-12.

Baby Learns Chinese is the only Chinese language immersion program for young children, it’s the Hebrew Ulpan equivalent for the young kids to learn Chinese. Studies have shown that children are more open to learning languages at an early age, and Baby Learns Chinese is geared to educate young minds ages 0-6, but rest assured my 9 and 11 year olds both find it fun. The music and animation provide a rich experience and kids enjoy playing games with the flash cards.

Beyond our targeted group parents with adopted children from China, the program works for all families interested in developing their children’s potential and gaining a head start with Chinese. Chinese language learning has become the premiere language learning for our children.

The program was created by Yama Chan to teach her two young boys the language.  According to Ms, Chan, “I created the program to teach children of native and non native speakers the language. Our program has had strong success in Hong Kong and we are excited to share the learning with parents in the US.”   Ms. Chan currently serves on the Board of Governors of Bring Me a Book Foundation and serves on the Board of Directors of City Contemporary Dance Company in Hong Kong. She maintains residences in Hong Kong and Los Angeles.

By Gina Raphael, daughters Danielle 11 and Sydney 9, awaiting the arrival of Mia (age 1)

But, as a busy mom of three young children, I rarely have the time to sit-down one-on-one with each child to foster the love of a new language. However, to be fluent in a language, children need roughly 2 hours of exposure to the language a day. You ask… ‘How is a busy mom to accomplish this?’ I say, ‘By getting a little help from many of the materials and resources available out there.’

What has worked well for me is using whatever Chinese language TV programs designed for children I could find. (Though, some work better than others. The ones with a storyline are the favorites.) Using videos work for me because I don’t get grumbling about having to “learn Chinese”. My kids get exposure to the language, they think they are getting a treat (because they only get between 20-40 minutes of TV a day), and I can get dinner on the table! It’s a win/win solution!

My husband also gave me a suggestion. Have a lot of Chinese material around. His logic is that if the materials are around, the kids will stumble upon them. I have to say that he is correct! Shocking! I have added quite a number of Chinese language DVDs, CDs, and books to my collection and the kids do find them and learn from them! Chinese songs on CDs have worked great in the car. We don’t listen to them all the time, but the kids do ask for them! Amazing!

I am of the philosophy that some Chinese is better than no Chinese. Do your best and that is all you or your children can ask for.

Min Tung

Min Tung is the founder of Mandarin Advantage (www.MandarinAdvantage.com). They develop educational materials to teach children Mandarin Chinese. The first DVD is Journeys to the East – The River Dragon King available at My Panda Paws!

Amazed!  Once again, our points proven.  When you show something the kids enjoy on TV, they will watch it in any language.  It’s really great to use this as one of the tools to introduce a language to the kids.

We have a large selection of DVD with characters that children are already familiar with, just to name a few: Dora, Disney Classic cartoon, Little People, and Discovery shows.

From now till Sept 15, use coupon code “panda” to receive a nice 15% off.

“Kai-lan’s Great Trip to China’, is infused with rich cultural traditions, from the Chinese noodles the characters eat to the decorative slippers they wear,” said Brown Johnson, President, Animation, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids & Family Group. “As preschoolers travel to China with Kai-lan, they will learn the importance of experiencing new cultures and trying new things.”

In “Kai-lan’s Great Trip to China,” Kai-lan and her friends fly over the ocean and Great Wall of China to visit Kai-lan’s great aunt and Yeye’s sister, Gu Nai Nai. The group is invited to attend a very special ceremony where a baby panda will be given his name. Kai-lan and her friends travel around the village to search for the baby panda’s gifts and are amazed by all of the interesting things they see in China. Along the way, the viewers must help Rintoo, Tolee, Hoho and the baby panda overcome their fears of trying something new so they don’t miss the special naming ceremony at sundown.

“Kai-lan’s Great Trip to China” will encore Sunday, Aug. 16, at 7:00 p.m. (ET) on NOGGIN.

I can’t wait to watch this with the boys!

You will soon be able to find Chinese Dora DVDs on our website. Stayed tuned for our actual launch date!