Teach Chinese to your child after you have started. Congratulations! You have started the journey with your child.
What’s next?
Start small and keep it going.
Why start small? It is manageable for you and it is not overwhelming for your child.
Keep it going. This is the key. Add a small dose of the target language, Chinese to your child’s day. It is building a routine.
The routine consists of little things. Keep it simple. Keep it fun.
Sing a simple Chinese song or a short nursery rhyme in the morning before breakfast. How about singing the hello song when your child is walking out of the door? Even if you only sing one line of a song is a good start. Add more songs and rhymes to your repertoire as you go.
Use a Spotify Chinese children’s song list and listen to one or two songs during your commute with your child.
Listen to nursery rhymes and bedtime stories for babies.
Read Chinese and world culture books for children (in English) with your child. The International Children’s Digital Library is a resource for books in various languages if a library is not easily accessible in your location.
Play with Everyday Chinese Expressions.
Set up a Chinese word wall with pictures and Chinese characters. Print out dotted Chinese words and expressions and fill in with seasonal and decoration materials such as leaves, flower petals, chalk, seeds…, etc.
What you add to the daily life of your child will make the Chinese language and culture a part of your family lifestyle. When it is a part of everyday life it becomes something you and your child live with today and every day.
Think about an existing routine your child already has and add a dose of Chinese to it. What is a routine you can start with?
Do you need a guided program to help you at the beginning stage? Sign up here to receive your invitation.
image from Erika Flaetcher
Teach Your Chinese to Your Child: After You Have Started.