Teach Kids Chinese: 6 Fun Resources for Non-Fluent Parents
It’s possible to teach your kids Chinese as a non-fluent parent. The secret is finding fun and engaging resources to help you. Here is a list of resources I have used to teach my two little kids Chinese as a non-fluent Australian born Chinese parent. They include resources like kits, programs, storybooks, TV shows and music books.
Resources to teach kids Chinese as a non-fluent parent
Yum Cha Ninja Kits
Yum Cha Ninja Kits make learning Chinese easy, fun, and stress-free for non-fluent families. Designed for busy parents, these kits help you:
✅ Start speaking Chinese in just 10 minutes a day.
✅ Use real-life sentences you’ll actually say with your kids.
✅ Make learning fun - so your kids WANT to speak Chinese.
Each kit includes:
📌 A Sentences Cheatsheet – A quick, easy reference to what you’re learning.
🎧 Audio Files – Get familiar with Chinese tones, rhythm, and pronunciation.
📖 A Storybook – Read aloud during storytime for natural language exposure.
With this no-prep, ready-to-go kit, non-fluent parents can confidently guide their kids on a fun and engaging Chinese learning journey.
TalkBox.Mom Chinese Program
The TalkBox.Mom Chinese Program is designed to assist families integrate a foreign language, like Chinese, into daily life at home. It's structured to make learning more about interaction than memorisation. You talk with your children as everyday situations unfold.
Imagine teaching Chinese the same way you taught English: by speaking as life happens. The program provides tools to facilitate this natural way of learning, to create an immersive language environment from day one, fostering consistent practice without overwhelming pressure.
Le Le Chinese Books
Le Le Chinese books offer a creative solution for teaching children Chinese, especially if you're not fluent in the language. One of the standout features of the Le Le series is the reading pen. This tool allows children to listen to the correct pronunciation of Chinese words while following along in the book. It's like having a personal tutor reading the book to your child, helping them to become familiar with the correct tones and sounds.
The engaging illustrations make the reading experience more interactive, allowing your child to explore and question what they see.
Bluey TV Show
Watching Bluey with your child can be a delightful way to introduce them to Chinese. The show centres around the playful adventures of Bluey, a six year old Blue Heeler dog, her four year old sister, Bingo, and their mum and dad. Set in Brisbane, Australia, it follows Bluey’s everyday life around playing, going to school, and spending time with family and friends. This is great for learning Chinese as the show uses simple sentences about everyday life.
Watching different episodes can provide exposure to varied vocabulary and contexts in a natural, immersive environment, enriching your family’s Mandarin language experience.
The popular animated series Bluey is available in Mandarin on ABC iview in Australia and Disney+ in other countries.
Odonata Books
When you're looking to help your child learn Chinese, Odonata Books offers a fun and structured approach. This reading series provides a thorough set of resources to enhance your child's language skills and teach them 1200 Chinese characters, which can significantly boost reading comprehension.
These books are designed with young learners in mind, offering engaging stories that capture attention while promoting language development. The Odonata Graded Readers are expertly crafted, presenting Chinese characters in a clear, organised manner.
Here's how Odonata Books can benefit your child:
Well-Structured: The books follow a progressive approach, gradually increasing in complexity as your child builds their knowledge.
High-Quality Content: Stories are well-written and the materials are of good quality.
Visual Appeal: Each book features colourful illustrations that help maintain interest and aid in memory retention.
As a non-fluent parent, this series provides a reliable framework to guide your child's Chinese language journey.
Bao Bao Learns Chinese Books
Bao Bao Learns Chinese books offer an interactive and engaging way for your child to start learning Mandarin. These books are designed not just as reading material but also as a learning tool, combining songs and nursery rhymes with visual and auditory stimulation.
The series includes sound books, which feature music and narration to help reinforce language skills. These books are beneficial for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, making language learning fun and accessible. Consider this option if you're looking for a gift or new resource for multilingual learning.
Features:
Bilingual Text: Both English and Mandarin are included, making it easier for non-fluent parents to guide their children.
Interactive Sound Features: Engages children through songs and nursery rhymes.
Durable Materials: Made to withstand handling by young children.
You can purchase these books from the Bao Bao Learns Chinese website and Amazon.
Interactive books like these provide a comprehensive approach, introducing sounds, visuals, and stories. They help your child develop a strong foundation in Mandarin while also being a perfect option for family bonding sessions.
