Reading is a great way to learn more about a language! For the month of August we are reading a set of English – Chinese bilingual books by David McKee. In them Elmer, the fun-loving patchwork elephant, takes us around to learn about the daily routine, colors, weather, and animal friends. Each of these books uses simple words and short sentences. Children will love the illustrations in the books and enjoy listening to the stories in both
Read more →Reading is such a good way to learn about a culture. For the month of May we are exploring stories from the Asian-Pacific region. Do you have a favorite story from any of the Asian-Pacific countries? Share your favorite with us! The Sound of Colors The Musubi Man: Hawaii’s Gingerbread Man Bee-Bim Bop! Filipino Children’s Favorite Stories Hush! A Thai Lullaby Peach Boy and Other Japanese Children’s Favorite Stories
Read more →May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. What better time to explore the diversity of our Asian-Pacific cultures? This cultural exploration project can go from now all the way to and through the summer. Want to know how to say “hello” in Vietnamese, Shanghainese, Japanese, and Mandarin Chinese? Do you know where Dim Sum is from? Check out this video to find out these answers and more! Learn More About Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month: HARTLYN KIDS: GUEST BLOG:
Read more →Miss Panda’s Chinese Character Series featured Chinese character: 上 (shàng) This word means “up”, “above”; “to go/come up”. We can use 上 shàng in the following phrases: 上車 – shàng chē = to get in the car 上床 – shàng chuáng = to get in bed/to go to sleep 上樓 – shàng lóu = to go upstairs 上學 – shàng xué = to go to school 上衣 – shàng yī = (clothing) top Click below to
Read more →Are you ready to sing the “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” song in Mandarin Chinese? Watch the video, sing along and do the movements with Jie Jie! You know this song and the tune very well. Now let’s try it in Mandarin Chinese! English Lyrics (translation of the Mandarin Chinese version): Head, shoulders, knees, toes Head, shoulders, knees, toes Eyes, ears, nose, and mouth Head, shoulders, knees, toes (x2) Lyrics in Pinyin: Tóu jiānbǎng xīgài jiǎozhǐ tóu
Read more →The Gordon & Li Li series introduces basic Chinese words to young children. The Elmer’s book series features an adventurous elephant and the short stories keep the attention of the young children. “In the Snow”, like “At the Beach” (from our last month’s picks) introduces ten Chinese pictogram characters on a walk through a forest on a snowy day. Gordon & Li Li Words for Everyday (Mandarin for kids) [Board Book] Languages: English, pinyin and Chinese characters
Read more →Miss Panda’s Chinese Character Series featured Chinese character: 日 (Rì). This character means “sun” or “day.” We can use 日 – Rì in the following phrases: <imageanchor=”1″ style=”clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em”> 生日 – shēng rì = birthday 日期 – rì qí = date 假日 – chìa rì = holiday 大日子 – dà rì zi = big day 星期日 – xīng qí rì = Sunday 生日快樂 – shēng rì kuài lè = happy birthday Click below to hear
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Are you ready to sing the Happy Birthday song in Mandarin Chinese? Watch the video and then try it out yourself! You won’t believe how simple and easy it is.If you’re wondering the answer is “yes” – this really is the way we sing “Happy Birthday” in Chinese!You only have to remember 6 words. Next time it will be your turn to sing this song in Mandarin Chinese! English Lyrics (for Mandarin Chinese version): Happy birthday
Read more →“Ding Tai Fung“, one of my favorite restaurants in Taiwan, now has branches in the U.S. and Australia! (photo/image source: DingTaiFung.com.tw) “Chī le ma?” (“Have you eaten yet?”) is a common greeting among Chinese people. It is even more popular than “Ni Hao!”(“Hello”). This serves as a good clue that food plays a very important role in Chinese culture! Cold cereal for breakfast?! While I was happy to have it when I was in college in the
Read more →We all know the story of Snow White – now let’s hear it in Mandarin Chinese! Here is a short “immersion program” for the whole family. Can you hear the following phrases? Snow White in Chinese is “White Snow Princess” – Bái xuě gōng zhǔ – 白雪公主 Queen – Huáng hòu 皇后 Princess – Gōng zhǔ 公主 Apple – Píng guǒ 蘋果 Prince – Wáng zǐ 王子 Have fun and please SHARE the post if you enjoy
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