“Long long time ago…” is the beginning of a story. It is a signal to kids. “Hi, It’s time for a book or a story.” They are inviting words. Hěnjiǔ hěnjiǔ yǐqián 很久很久以前 is Long Long Time Ago in Chinese. It is a universal way to begin a story.
“It is story time! Are you ready? Long long time ago, …” as soon as I said it, kids started to giggle and they repeated “long long time ago…” in Chinese. Almost always they added more “long” to the line. Well, they know they are making this story very old because it happened a really long time ago with their added words.
They have heard me saying “Long long time ago” in Chinese almost every day so it has become a part of them. They are looking forward to hearing what happens next.
The story might not be entirely in Chinese but we stay in the target language (Chinese) as much as possible. The pictures always help.
If Chinese is not your native language or if you have limited Chinese language proficiency it might seem like a challenging task to tell a story in Chinese to your children. What is possible is that you can add a few Chinese words or expressions that you know, even if they are new to you, to the story with or without a book.
If you know the Chinese names of some animals use them in your story. Tell the story in English and add the Chinese words and expressions to it. Have you just learned about fruit in Chinese? Great! Use those words.
Native Chinese-speaking parents also face challenges in helping their children learn Chinese. Maybe the kids are only replying in English. Maybe they are losing interest. It might be the kids are not “getting it.” “How can my kids really understanding the Chinese counter words?” “How many Chinese words do my kids need to know so they can read in Chinese?”
When we look at the expectations we forget the path we are on right here and right now with our kids. Right here! Now! Kids need something simple, something playful, and something that they want to try with you. You as their mom, dad, a friend, or a fun buddy.
“Mom is super cool she says Chinese words.” “Dad is so fun he knows how to do Chinese Kung Fu counting.” “I taught my little brother the Chinese magic words!” “Chinese is so cool.” “Can I read more?” “I always get this expression wrong. I will try again.” From little kids to big kids, I’ve heard those words.
It is how much fun you have together counts. It is how much support they have from you counts.
Language learning is exposure and input. It is everyday life. If the kids run away, then, there is no exposure and there is no input.
A short song, a silly rhyme, or a mini story is always a good start. And, SMILE! Here and now.
