Extensive Reading has been the key to our family’s Chinese learning. It’s about reading widely for pleasure, focusing on of texts where >98% of words/characters are known. This post describes how the approach works, and how stress free it can be. Don’t focus on teaching the child 500 words; focus on setting up a love of literacy for life.
Category Archives: Tips for non-Chinese speaking parents
iFlytek Alpha Egg versus Youdao Dictionary Pen 科大讯飞扫描笔 vs 有道
This post is a detailed comparison of iFlytek Alpha Egg versus the Youdao Dictionary pen (科大讯飞扫描笔 vs 有道) in terms of design, accuracy, and other key features. They are both excellent options, and the race is clearly on between dictionary pen manufacturers in China.
Where to buy excellent Chinese books for children in Singapore?
Singapore is 100% blessed with a plethora of lovely Chinese bookstores, and many of our favourite ones have passionate owners who will be able to curate the perfect books for your family too. As a mother who doesn’t read or speak Chinese, I’m really thankful for the amazing options out there, mainly run by passionate mumsContinue reading “Where to buy excellent Chinese books for children in Singapore?”
Review: ExploArt Chinese classes at home in Singapore
Learn. Play. Grow. Exploart is a small Singapore-based business, which provides amazing Chinese-speaking teachers and babysitters for families in Singapore. We’ve loved and used them since early 2018.
Youdao Dictionary Pen: Comparison of 2.0 vs 3.0 vs Pro Version for Chinese-English
Comparing the differences between the four key models of the portable 有道 Youdao Dictionary pen (Version 2.0, Version 3.0, Pro version, and International Version) , which can all translate from simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, and English, from individual words to entire sentences.
App comparison: iHuman Hongen Chinese (洪恩识字) versus Wukong Literacy (悟空识字) for learning Chinese characters
Our favourite Chinese literacy apps are iHuman Chinese Hong En Literacy (洪恩识字) and Wukong Literacy (悟空数学). Both of iHuman app and Wukong Literacy app are designed for children who have a sound spoken understanding of Mandarin, and are starting to learn characters/words in Simplified Chinese form. These are great apps for learning Chinese characters. This reviewContinue reading “App comparison: iHuman Hongen Chinese (洪恩识字) versus Wukong Literacy (悟空识字) for learning Chinese characters”
Great Chinese Cartoons for Children to enjoy
This posts summarises our favourite animated series from YouTube in Mandarin, for children. These are series which are all originally written in Chinese (i.e not translated from US), and have an subtle educational focus, relevant for aged 4 to 10.
Chinese kids shows: best non-animated
This posts summarises our favourite non-animated Youtube series for children in Mandarin Chinese, suitable for aged 3 to 10 year olds, including drama, current affairs, game shows and lifestyle shows. All links provided within the post.
The secret to find great Chinese picture books in the Singapore library with Luka
List of excellent authors of Chinese picture books, which can be found in the Singapore NLB, and which are all Luka compatible.
My bilingual parenting mistakes, and resolutions for 2021
(above graphic is modified list from Bilingual Kidspot) As the year draws to an end, it marks my one-year anniversary of blogging about Chinese home learning. In an otherwise-really-bizarre-year for the whole planet, it’s been a haven to be able to write and learn together with so many amazing parents trying to do the Chinese-EnglishContinue reading “My bilingual parenting mistakes, and resolutions for 2021”