At 10am today, (ET/PT), Nickelodeon will premier an one hour long special of Ni Hao Kai-lan, “Kai-lan’s Great Trip to China”. Since my facebook posting of the news, several of my friends have commented on how Kai-lan has brought Chinese into the mainstream. It allows all of us to show our children that being Chinese is once again “cool”. This series provides an effortless way for us to teach Chinese words/phrases as well as cultures to our kids with a push of a TV button. It also encourages conversations between all of us as it provides a platform that is simple and interesting.

“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!