No-Ordinary Chinese Flash Cards for Kids

When I try to make my 4-year-old to memorize the Chinese characters, I realize that they are just something with so many strokes within a square.  It is so difficult for him to relate anything at all.  Although many Chinese words evolved from pictographs, it is still hard for a little one to comprehend what it is.

So, I started to look up some of the free clip arts on the computer and try to connect some interesting pictures with the Chinese symbols.  With contiuous practice, it works pretty well.  Here are some advices for you how to get it started:

1) If your child(ren) still tries to catch up of all the lessons, print out 2 copies of this set of flash cards.
2) Cut up one set to separate all Chinese characters and pictures
3) Just like when a toddler starts learning to put the puzzle together, put the set that is still intact on the table.  Then, ask the child(ren) to look up the pictures and Chinese words that you just cut up and put on top of the copy that you laid down earlier.
4) When he/she gets more comfortable, you can just ask him/her to match up the pictures and Chinese symbols without the other set of copy.  You can keep the other set as your cheat sheet if you need to.

There are so many ways that you can utilize this set of flash cards, especially when we add more and more Chinese characters.  But let's start the first step before we get ourselves too overwhelmed.

Click here to download the Chinese flash cards:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxJnXu3nperhYk5ZWC1mZUtYSVk/edit?usp=sharing

If you can't open the file, click here to download the (FREE software) Adobe Reader:
http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Back To Business

Sorry, Guys.  My Adobe has broken down on me.  I finally got it up and running.  Stay tuned for more fun for writing Chinese for kids.

Traditional vs Simplified Chinese (Lesson 4 - cont'd)

We learned several Chinese writing about the nature in lesson 4.  I have to admit that they are difficult to memorize, especially for beginners.

In this lesson, there is an exercise for you to search for the traditional and simplified Chinese characters of what we learned.  It is also the perfect time to discuss this topic.

I was taught traditional Chinese since day 1 at school.  Like many languages in the world, Chinese writing evolved throughout the years until it became what it is nowadays.  Traditional Chinese characters have more than thousands of years of history.  However, simplified Chinese words are less than a century old.  It was an attempt to increase the literacy in China after the PRC was formed.

Please don't get me wrong.  I am NOT against simplified Chinese.  In fact, THANKS to these simplified Chinese characters.  I took a lot of advantages of writing it since year 10 in high school, especially on my exam papers.  Without simplified Chinese, I most probably would not complete the exams on time.

However, in my opinion, we have the responsibility to teach our children to learn the basic and their heritage.  Just like playing music, if you start out playing piano and classical guitar, you will pick up electronic keyboard and electronic guitar in no time.

As you may have already known, there is occasionally a Chinese symbol inside the parentheses in the previous published exercises[ ( ) ].  Those are the traditional Chinese writing.  I highly encourage you to revise these traditional Chinese symbols with your child(ren) as well.  In the long run, he/she is the one benefit from it.

Click here to download the activity sheet and start writing Chinese, kid(s):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxJnXu3nperheldpOFJ3R1J3Vk0/edit?usp=sharing

If you can't open the file, click here to download the (FREE software) Adobe Reader:
http://get.adobe.com/reader/
 

Lesson 6 - "Sky", "Eight" and "Wood" (down stroke to the right)

As mentioned in the previous post, the down strokes to the left and the right co-exist almost every time.

The down stroke to the right is called "Na" in Mandarin.  To execute it, it will be very different by using a pen or a Chinese brush.

Since we are focus on writing Chinese by using a pen or a pencil, it will be the same as the stroke to the left. (Please refer to this post here)

In the attached exercise, I want to bring your attention to the word "Eight".  Look at it very carefully.....does it look very similar to the word "People" that you learned last time?  But....there is a difference.

The word "People" does not have a gap between the strokes like the word "Eight".

Click here to download the activity sheet and start writing Chinese, kid(s):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxJnXu3nperhdkdmVXdkSFV3RHM/edit?usp=sharing

If you can't open the file, click here to download the (FREE software) Adobe Reader:
http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Lesson 5 - "People", "Big" and "Cow (down stroke to the left)

"Pie" is in Mandarin how the down stroke to the left called.  I will cover the down stroke to the right in another lesson.  Basically, these 2 strokes exist almost at the same time when it comes to writing Chinese.

These 2 strokes, in my opinion, are difficult to execute correctly and nicely, especially if you are using Chinese brush to do calligraphy.

I am trying to describe how to get this stroke right below:
1) As usual, the stroke starts from top
2) At the point where you begin this stroke, you will use most of the strength
3) As the stroke goes further down, you will use lesser and lesser strength
4) Just past the mid-point of the stroke, you will start to let go

You will use the same method and strength no matter if you use a pen, pencil or a Chinese brush.

To make a child or a beginner to understand how to make this stroke looks right, use your index finger to write on his/her shoulder a few times to let him/her to feel it.

Click here to download the activity sheet and start writing Chinese, kid(s):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxJnXu3nperhZ0xmX202c2U5VDg/edit?usp=sharing


If you can't open the file, click here to download the (FREE software) Adobe Reader:
http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Lesson 4 - Chinese Characters about Nature

This time, we are going to put down our pens to learn some new Chinese characters. They are: water, cloud, flower, tree, wind, rain and moon.

Throughout the last 2 weeks of exercise with my son, I realized that he had the hard time to memorize these few Chinese symbols even the teacher had very good illustrations.

This is my best guess....If you look closely of the above Chinese characters, each one of them just looks like a symbol through which a child can hardly relate it to anything at all.  I know.....you can argue that statement when it comes to English, too.

But, anyway, I thought I could use some pictographs to show the evolution of the Chinese words.  Maybe, somehow, he can relate to it.

In this lesson, there are 3 Chinese characters that I put the traditional Chinese word next to it.  Please take this advantage to teach your kids the 2 different styles Chinese writings.

Click here to download the teaching materials of lesson 4:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxJnXu3nperhNkVFc0Jwb0lmbVk/edit?usp=sharing

If you can't open the file, click here to download the (FREE software) Adobe Reader:
http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Games of Strokes (for Writing Chinese)

In lesson 2 and 3, we learned how to write the Chinese words, "Up", "Down", "Square" and "Small".  They are pretty simple, right?  Yes.....

But it takes some time to allow a beginner to understand the concept that one simple stroke, like "Heng" (the horizontal stroke), happens to exist in 3 out of these 4 Chinese characters. 

The first page of the exercise is pretty easy.  When you move on to the 2nd page, it will take a while for a child or a beginner to get it 100% correct.  But please don't get upset.  Practice the writing a few more times and do the activity sheet again.

Click here to download the exciting Writing-Chinese-For-Kids game set for lesson 2 and 3:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxJnXu3nperhRHJYN1U5azdzQ1E/edit?usp=sharing

If you can't open the file, click here to download the (FREE software) Adobe Reader:
http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Be Creative To Make Your Kid(s) Writing Chinese

In my generation, we used to write a Chinese character for 10 times or more when we were at school.  That was how we learned.  The purpose...1) for memorization and 2) for penmanship.

When it comes to my 4-year-old, I realized that he gets bored with this kind of activity within the first 5 minutes.  The more I force him to do so, the more he hates it.

So, I started to do this when I revise writing each Chinese character with him.

I hold his little finger and pretend using it to write each Chinese word.  Eventually, he starts to do it by himself without me holding his finger to do so.  The best of all, he even memorizes the order of each stroke.

Since I have been writing Chinese calligraphy with brushes for a long, long time, I even take this advantage to show him where he needs some strength at which stroke.  If you can do so, give it a try and have fun.

Let's Play Some Chinese Writing Games

Tracing the lines, following the strokes over and over again is very boring.  I believe that many parents experienced this, like me, when they were younger.  It was the old way how we learned.

However, do you know if your child(ren) really know what they learned? Well, here is a way to find out how much they know about the Chinese numbers.

There are 7 pages here in this file in the order of easy to difficult.  The last page has all the answers for you.  I encourage you to have some stickers ready.  If your kids completed a sheet 100% correct, reward him or her with a sticker or some other rewards that you think is appropriate.

Click here to download the exciting Writing-Chinese-For-Kids game set:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxJnXu3nperhR000MmdaN0c1b0E/edit?usp=sharing

If you can't open the file, click here to download the (FREE software) Adobe Reader:
http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Cartoons in Mandarin

Parents, you may know by now that kids learn better when they play.  I used to get frustrated that I couldn't purchase a lot of storybooks or teaching materials online in the States to teach my son Chinese.

But you will not believe that there is actually a lot within your fingertips.  It is just the matter of using the right keywords to search online.

If you type "cartoons in Mandarin" on any search engine, you would be surprised the array of cartoons speaking 100% in Mandarin showing up on YouTube.  It is FREE.  And I mean they are good cartoons and kids-friendly.

They range from a few minutes to 45 minutes.  The varieties of topics they cover is more than you can imagine, such as traditional Chinese stories, fables and stories related to our daily lives.

But there is one really jumping right out and caught my attention immediately which is called "Qiao Hu" (means Clever Tiger). 

What I love the most about this little tiger series is that it covers pretty much everything I mentioned above.  The best of all, it shows kids how some Chinese characters formed through the illustration.  This is one of the basics that how we all learn writing Chinese.

This is one of the "Qiao Hu" series: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEhm8Ltfrpk

Hope you will enjoy as much as my little one and I do.

Lesson 3 - Square and Small

How is it going?  After lesson 1 and 2, do you think your kid(s) started to pick up a little bit in writing Chinese?  I sure hope so. 

If not, please feel free to go back to the last 2 lessons and print out the activity sheets again and let him/her to practice more.

These 2 characters, "Square" and "Small", is an exercise to practice 2 special strokes in writing Chinese characters.  They are:

1) dot (pinyin: dian), and
2) vertical stroke with a hook (pinyin: shugou)

When I was in the craft fairs selling Chinese calligraphy in the early 2000s, some of my customers didn't understand these 2 strokes.  Once in a while, I had customers asking me to eliminate them. 

However, eliminate one of these strokes would make a big difference to the meaning of a Chinese character.  So, pay attention to where these 2 strokes go. 

Parents, you may need to roll up the sleeves writing Chinese with your kid(s) this time.  Once you get through this hump, the coming challenges will be more bearable.

Here is the link to this lesson activity sheet:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxJnXu3nperhallMQzRfRVFDb1k/edit?usp=sharing

If you can't open the file, click here to download the (FREE software) Adobe Reader:
http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Lesson 2 - Down and Up

Up and down...down and up...up and down again.....

I believe almost every parent went through this stage with their little one.  When they are so full of energy and you try to sit back and take a break, it is, sometimes, frustrating.

Every kid is different.  I learned this after teaching almost 100 students within 10 years ranging from 5 - over 50.  Yep, I had students over 50 years old and wanted to learn how to play piano, keyboard or electronic organ.  Of course, teaching my 4-year-old is a total different story.

Don't know about your kid.  Mine loves to learn new things.  As soon as he sees the activity sheets, he puts down his favorite toys on hand and comes running.

There is a saying, "Writing Chinese helps calm oneself down."  If this is true, print this out and get your kid(s) start writing Chinese.

Here is the lesson 2 activity sheet:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxJnXu3nperhSnQ2NGJqZjJqc0E/edit?usp=sharing

If you can't open the file, click here to download the (FREE software) Adobe Reader:
http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Lesson 1 - One and Two (Counting 1-10)

Although "One" and "Two" are a few of the easiest Chinese characters, it may be difficult for kid(s) or beginner(s) just started learning writing Chinese.

Just remember, "Practice makes perfect."

Click here to download the activity sheet and start writing Chinese, kid(s):
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxJnXu3nperhcjgzcFFXWkFZbVU/edit?usp=sharing

To proceed to the Chinese number three to ten, click here to download the activity sheets:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxJnXu3nperheWwtVUtibU5yaG8/edit?usp=sharing

If you can't open the file, click here to download the (FREE software) Adobe Reader:
http://get.adobe.com/reader/

How to write Chinese?

First of all, everything posted on Writing Chinese for Kids blog is for everybody who is interested in learning Chinese and Mandarin(the official Chinese language).  Let me say it again....It is not only limited for kids, but everybody.

Although you can trace the line on the activity sheets and eventually know how to write Chinese, there are some rules you need to follow.

If the child(ren) starts it right, you build up the foundation for them to thrive.  I would imagine every parent in this planet would love to see their kid(s) prospers.

Activity Sheet:
1) On top of each sheet, there is the "pinyin".  It looks like English which is the way to pronounce that Chinese character in Mandarin.
2) The word next to the "pinyin" is the meaning of that word.
3) Below the "pinyin" and the English word is the Chinese character.
4) You can trace the Chinese character on one row and then let the child to try it to write by him/herself.
5) Please feel free to print out more copies for practicing if it is needed.
6) You need to have Adobe Reader to open the files.  Here is the link to download the FREE software:
http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Chinese Character Stroke Order:
Always remember these rules when you write Chinese.
1) From left to right
2) From top to bottom.

P.S. At the time of writing, there is no .wav file (a.k.a. sound recording) ready yet.  But eventually, I will upload them.  Stay tuned.
P.S.S.  http://www.chinababy365.com/ This is a very good website. They have 300+ Apps to download.  Some of them are very interactive which helps to stimulate the interests of your child(ren) to learn Chinese.

Enjoy the fun and growth of your child(ren) writing Chinese!

Welcome to Writing Chinese for Kids Blog

Welcome to my blog.

My little one just started going to Chinese school learning Mandarin a few weeks ago.  Going there once a week, he doesn't pick up much, except revising it with him every day.  That is what I have been doing since day one.

I learned that parents like me speaking Cantonese or anther parent speaking English makes it very difficult for the kid(s) to adjust.  Taking my little boy to school, I realize that many families have the same challenge.  On top of that, most parents have a full-time job during the week.  This really makes us a group of "running-like-a-headless-chicken" parents sharing the same empathy with each other.

But why do we still want to take our kids to Chinese school?  There are many reasons:

1) Make them to learn another part of their culture and roots
2) Chinese is getting more and more important in the world.  Who knows?  It could be another language that most people speak after English
3) While the children are still young, this is the best way for them to start learning a new language.  It makes it easier for them to really learn it.
4) Of course, there are more reasons other than the above 3.

Although the children got homework (actually very little) to do almost every week, it does not help much to keep them memorizing the Chinese characters very well.

So, I decided to make up my own worksheets for my son.  After creating all writing-Chinese-for-kids files, my another thought came into my mind, "May as well share them with other parents whom have the same needs."

Please feel free to download these PDF files for your children to practice writing.