Are you looking for Mandarin programmes for your kids? If yes, then there are plenty of options available locally.
We have curated a list of programmes that can give your child an opportunity to listen to more Mandarin in a casual and informative way.
The good news is that the content of these TV programmes and podcasts is educational and they will teach your children something new, each time they switch on.
How To Teach Chinese At Home: Immerse In These Podcasts And Videos
Image courtesy: iStock
Island Escapade
If your child likes solving mysteries, then Island Escapade is for them. It will allow your little one to follow the explorer to various islands in Singapore and find out more about its secrets.
Uncover the mysteries and you can also get an opportunity to go island-hopping. It is a great show which allows your child to learn about the occupations of the people who work and also live on the island.
Arts Guide
Image courtesy: iStock
The host of the show tries various art creations and also at the same time speaks to different artists, using their expertise to tell stories.
Arts Guide will help your kids understand the local arts culture in Singapore and also its rich art scene.
Red Dot Detectives
This informative show will help your children learn about people, the history of the island, and much more.
Did you know that Tiong Bahru, is not only one of the oldest housing estates in Singapore, but it is also a district that has many hidden secrets? Do you know how do know how Singapore’s first HDB flats built during the colonial era looked like?
You can discover many interesting anecdotes about Singapore by making your kids watch Red Dot Detectives.
Thumbs Up Little Junior
For those who are not aware, Thumbs Up Little Junior, which is mainly known as a Chinese newspaper for children, has developed much of its content online, including videos.
They include current affairs, crafts, storytelling and also exploring various places in the island and so on. You can watch more about the series here.
Angela’s Bilingual Story Sofa
Angela Lu is a Chinese voice actor and a mum who loves to tell stories. She has also participated in translating books from English to Chinese. In her podcast, she reads popular children’s stories in English and Chinese. She alternates reading each phrase in English first, then Chinese.
Listening to Angela’s clear and succinct voice tell fun stories is a good way for your child to familiarise themselves with the language in exciting settings. Listen to her podcasts here.
Miaomiao Kidz
If your child is fond of watching shows on YouTube, head on to the Miaomiao Kidz YouTube Channel. Best for early learners, Miaomiao and her pals will help your child learn Chinese phrases as they’re used in real-life settings.
Consuming content via videos and podcasts can help your children to learn faster and they will also be interested to know more. So parents, make sure you are choosing your content properly!
How Learning Chinese Is Beneficial For Singaporeans
Image courtesy: iStock
As you know, Singapore has four official languages – English, Tamil, Malay and Mandarin. With this type of cultural integration, it is natural for children to pick up more than one language.
But specifically for children who are ethnically Chinese, it is not just important to learn the language but also the ethnicity and history, culture and art that comes along with it.
As for non-ethnically Chinese students – thanks to globalisation, it is good to pick up other languages as it can open many new doors. In addition, there is a shared understanding of Asian values, which can easily be taught through the language.
The Chinese curriculum also places emphasis on character building. So all of these make it advantageous to learn this language.
As for the learning part, in addition to online videos and podcasts, there are several enrichment classes, where your child can enrol in to learn the Chinese language! Your kids can develop a strong foundation if it is started earlier and at a young age!
ALSO READ:
Knowing These 3 Languages Can Help Your Child Succeed Professionally
Here’s a Specialised Book That Helps Children With Dyslexia Learn Chinese
Your Baby’s Brain Is ‘Born-Ready’ To Learn A New Language, Says New Study