5 Chinese storybooks to read to your preschooler

Sowing the seeds and inspiring a love for language

By Hong Hong 

Wondering how to encourage your preschooler to learn Chinese and cultivate their interest in the language? Reading together with him or her is one of the best ways! 

Stories have a natural appeal to children. A good storybook uses vivid and interesting pictures to make Chinese easy to understand. At the same time, as parents read with their child, it sets a good example and gives children the support to help them overcome their psychological barriers in learning Chinese. 
 
Here are 5 excellent Chinese storybooks for parents to read with their preschoolers. 

《抱抱》”Hug” by Jez Alborough (Suitable for 1-3 years old) 

The picture book《抱抱》”Hug” is about giving and receiving affection, which is important for a child’s physical and emotional development. The story includes simple vocabulary, which is easy for children to learn. Parents can also use the book to help children learn the names of different animals, and they can also imitate the poses of various animals for a hug! 

《小金鱼逃走了》”Little Goldfish Escaped” By Gomi Taro (Suitable for 1-3 years old)  

The little goldfish has escaped from the fish tank, where did it go? This picture book cultivates childrens’ observation and concentration. The scenes in the picture book are life-like, which helps children improve their vocabulary of names, locations, colours, shapes and quantities of common objects. It is a book worth reading again and again!

《妈妈买绿豆!》”Mom Buys Green Beans!” By Zeng Yangqing (Suitable for 3-6 years old) 

《妈妈买绿豆!》”Mum Buys Green Beans!” is about a boy and his mother buying green beans, cooking green beans, drinking green bean soup and growing green beans. The scenes in the story reflect familiar, everyday places in Singapore, and children can learn practical dialogues! 

《小蝌蚪找妈妈》”Little Tadpole Looks for Mom” By Lu Bing Chen Qiucao  (Suitable for 4-6 years old) 

With traditional Chinese paintings adorning each page, 《小蝌蚪找妈妈》”Little Tadpole Looks for Mom” has a strong aesthetic. The story not only teaches science, but also allows children to experience the warmth of family and friendship. It is a classic Chinese picture book! There is also a cartoon version! 

《搬过来搬过去》”Moving Here and There” By Daniela Kulot  (Suitable for 4-6 years old) 

In 《搬过来搬过去》”Moving Here and There” , the crocodile and giraffe are in love and they want to live together. But they look so different, how can they live together? Through this story, children recognize differences, learn empathy, and find ways to seek harmonious coexistence despite differences. 

Tips for learning Chinese with storybooks

  1. Put your child’s interests first 

At the start, your child may simply flip through the book, or run away after listening to it, please be patient! Let your child choose his or her favorite storybook. Being interested, motivated and engaged in learning is important for children. Even if it does not seem like it, they are already learning when they start “pointing” and interacting with the book! 

  1. Maintain a positive attitude.  

German educator Adolph Diesterweg once said: “教育艺术的本质不在于传授本领,而在于激励、唤醒和鼓舞。” (Translation: The essence of education is not to impart skills, but to motivate, awaken and inspire) 

Parents with a positive and confident attitude can help children face an unfamiliar language more easily and bravely overcome the difficulties in the learning process. Always give your child encouragement when he or she tries to read a new book.  

  1. Focus on speaking and listening 

Lastly, when we read stories to our children, we can use movements, expressions and sounds to help children understand the meaning of language and engage with the story better. 

It is important to let our children learn naturally and not rush them into reading and writing immediately. Children need to understand the meaning of words before they can use them. Otherwise, these words will just be empty symbols. When children enjoy reading fun stories, learning words will become a natural thing! 
 
I wish all parents happy reading with their children! 

To find out more about our preschools, visit https://littleseeds.edu.sg/

Total
0
Shares
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Prev
Called to serve children as a male preschool teacher

Called to serve children as a male preschool teacher

He believes in building each child's character and values

Next
5 daily teachable moments to create with your child

5 daily teachable moments to create with your child

Nurturing values that cultivate lifelong learning

You May Also Like