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General Articles3 tips to make learning Chinese language easier for children in Primary Schools
November 12, 2019 
Children acquire language skills faster than adults, so why do children in schools lament that learning Chinese language is difficult?
It is important to maintain a good balance between studying Chinese language to meet the needs of school demands and learning Chinese language as an everyday language. When children connect learning Chinese language with enjoyable activities, learning Chinese language becomes easier. There are many opportunities in our daily lives when learning Chinese language can be incorporated. Here are 3 tips.
Tip 1: Create opportunities for your children to use the language
Children learn best when they have fun or are engaged in enjoyable activities. By applying what they have learnt in their daily environment, children are able to retain the skill better. Arrange for Chinese language playdates with their peers, allow your children to use the language while playing with peers, this will improve their vocabulary and grow their confidence in the language.
Chinese Language lessons in schools has now evolved, it now emphasis on students learning Chinese language not as a subject but as a living language. Practice makes perfect, it is important that learners put to practise what they have learnt.
When going out with your children, point out signages, things and activities and explain to them in Chinese. This will enable your children to connect what they have learnt in schools with their everyday lives.
Tip 2: Chinese picture books and story books
Age appropriate picture books and story books introduce vocabulary suitable for that age group. Reading story books and picture books is a very effective way of learning new words for children. If your children love to draw, you can write down the new vocabulary on a piece of paper and encourage them to draw pictures to match.
The National Library Board (NLB) has more than 20 public libraries across Singapore, many of these libraries have revamped their children’s section, making it a joy for children to read and borrow books. Moreover, NLB has a good collection of Chinese Language books and you can borrow 16 books each time.
Make a trip to Bras Basah complex if you are looking for interesting and enjoyable Chinese books. You will find bookshops that sell good Chinese language books, just approach the friendly staff at the bookshops and they can help you to choose.
Tip 3: Encourage your children to watch educational Chinese cartoons, movies and television programmes
Children’s programmes can be entertaining and educational at the same time if we spend time to curate the suitable ones. Children learn from the native speakers by hearing them speak on the shows.
Our Mediacorp’s very own Toggle is a digital service that provides entertainment on the go. You can look for Chinese language cartoons and television programmes to watch with your children.
Youtube is another treasure trove that parents can go in search of good Chinese language educational programmes suitable for children. Do remember to spend time watching them with your children rather than letting your children be left to their own devices. Interact with your children as you watch with them.
The bottom line is learning a language is all about practice, provides ample opportunities for children to practise their language skill and they will be able to retain what they have been taught.