Ni Hao Kai-lan teaches Mandarin words and Interacting

Monday, November 30, 2009

Kiddie shows do affect us a lot, as evidenced by the sort of mania generated by Sesame Street a few weeks before, when the show announced its 40th anniversary.

I wish today's kids will also have a show to fondly look back to, and I hope this show teaches not just words, science and mathematics, but good character formation as well.

One of the more interesting shows for kids these days is Ni Hao Kai-lan, a show from Nick Jr. The show features a little girl named Kai-lan, who lives with her grandfather ("Yeye") in a Chinese-American home. Kai-lan has lots of animal friends - Rintoo the tiger, Tolee the Koala and Hoho the monkey. They all study Mandarin words and phrases and ask child viewers to repeat words with them.

Central to the show is developing empathy for friends, as well as respect, loyalty and other good character traits you would want your child to emulate. I remember in Sesame Street when the monsters talk to the kids about feelings, but it is not as stressed as it is with Ni Hao Kai-lan.

Some parents like Ni Hao Kailan better than Dora. In Dora, story lines usually are about following the map. In Ni Hao Kailan, emphasis is on developing kids' emotional quotient and problem-solving ability.

I also like how the characters all look so cute and adorable. The show is highly enjoyable and something that kids can look forward to watching everyday.

With the values being taught on the show, even you will look forward to your kids watching it.

ChildBook has some Ni Hao Kai-lan books and DVDs that you may want to get for your little one.