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 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/