The kids in my kindergarten class were doing a Chinese word hunt game. “I know this! These are Chinese words,” Maya said.
The boy next to her said, “I know. They look different.”
“I see Chinese words,” Leo jumped in the conversation. After the class, John in the class came to me and told me that he wanted to show me some Chinese words he had found at home next time. I was delighted to hear that.
Children are like language detectives. They listen to us. And, they see what we have for them in the environment. They are curious.
You can add the Chinese language in written form to your Chinese daily routine. Try this Chinese I Spy… activity with your child.
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Use the Chinese I Spy play sheet as a guide.
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Chinese flyer: Print out several copies of the I spy play sheet and post one or two on a wall and a door.
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Outdoor play: Take the play sheet out and look for the item on the page.
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Sorting game: Make a couple of copies. Cut out the images and the Chinese phrases on the play page.
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Spot it: Hide the cutouts in matching pairs and hide them in places for your child to find. You call out the Chinese phrase when your kid finds each matching pair. (listen to the pronunciation below.)
You can copy the Chinese characters on the I Spy play sheet with your child. Use different art media to play with written words. Say the words as you copy the Chinese characters with your child.
Use these expressions for this activity:
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I see Chinese words. Wǒ kàn dào zhōngwén zì -我看到中文字。
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Do you see Chinese words? Nǐ kàn dào zhōngwén zì ma? -你看到中文字嗎？| 你看到中文字吗？
Creating a Chinese text-rich environment for your child and embed the Chinese language in your home.
Do you see a wall that you can use for a Chinese word wall?
Image by Edi Libedinsky
