Looking back: Term One 2010 (part 2 - animal flashcards)

Here's a link to the animal flashcards we used this term. Keep reminding your little ones of the Chinese animals!!!

Looking back: Term One 2010 (part 1)

This is well overdue but since we had to cancel playgroup today I thought I'd spend some time updating our blog...

For those of you who missed some of Term 1 this year, this is what we did!

Our term was focussed on animals: we explored bears & tigers, dogs & rabbits, elephants & frogs! Every week we learnt the Chinese name for 1 or 2 new animals, sang some new songs, made some fantastic craft (which Karen so diligently designed!) and read an animal story!

Pictures of all our craft to come!!

Our songs of the term were: Old MacDonald (in Chinese, but of course!) and God Made All The Animals.

Wang Lao Xian Sheng (Old MacDonald)



王老先生有块地
E I E I O
他在田边养小鸭
E I E I O
呱呱呱
呱呱呱
呱呱呱呱呱呱
呱呱呱
王老先生有块地
E I E I O

wang lao xian sheng you kuai di
E I E I O
ta zai tian bian yang xiao ya
E I E I O
gua gua gua
gua gua gua
gua gua gua, gua gua gua
gua gua gua
wang lao xian sheng you kuai di
E I E I O

dictionary:
Lao Xian Sheng - Old Mr (Wang Lao Xian Sheng = Old Mr Wang)
you (pronounced: yo) - to have
kuai di - a plot, a piece of land
ta - he
zai - at
tian bian - by the field
yang - to keep (for animals or plants)
xiao - little
ya - duck
'gua' = 'quack'


God Made All The Animals

God made the pig and it says 'Oink! Oink'
God made the cow and it says 'Moo! Moo!'
God made the duck and it says 'Quack! Quack!'
God made all the animals

Picnic On Tomorrow!

Hi all,

Weather forecast seems good, so assume that the Picnic is ON tomorrow!

Reminder of the details:

Hope to see you there!!

Bec xx

Somewhere fun for kids (and free for under 2s!)

Hi there,

It was SO fantastic to see so many of you again after the break and see how the kiddies are just growing up so fast!!

A few of us today were talking about a place called Corner Cubbyhouse: www.cornercubbyhouse.com.au. It's located in Five Dock (just north of Ashfield) and is a big indoor playground for kids of all ages. There is a dedicated infants softplay area, which is well padded and perfect for those still learning to walk!

Best of all, adult entry is free, as is entry for children under 2. Unfortunately after the kids turn 2, entry is almost $15 per child which is a lot. However, if your child is under 2, it's definately worth a visit! Joh & I went together a couple of weeks ago, and Joh's been back with Jessi twice since then!!

Here's a pic Joh took of Jessi & Cha Cha on their play date :) (They were actually happy even they don't look it here!!)



Anyway, if you do ever decide to go, do let me know, I might want to join you (it's very close to my house!) We could even make it a xiao peng you social one time!!

Bec xx

Term 3 Chinese Songs: part 1

Hi,

In terms of Chinese songs this term, we will keep singing our 欢迎歌 (huanying ge: welcome song), 我的朋友在那里? (wo de pengyou zai na li?)

In case you've forgotten the words:

Yi er san si wu liu qi
Wo di pengyou zai na li?
Zai tian ya, zai hai jiao
Wo di pengyou zai zhe li!

一二三四五六七
我的朋友在哪里
在天涯,在海角?
我的朋友在这里

We will also learn a song we know in English (If you're happy and you know it) in Chinese (如果你是快乐你就拍拍手)!

Here are the words:

Ru guo ni shi kuai le ni jiu pai pai shou
Ru guo ni shi kuai le ni jiu pai pai shou
Ru guo ni shi kuai le ni jiu pai pai shou, pai pai shou
Ru guo ni shi kuai le ni jiu pai pai shou

如果你是快乐你就拍拍手
如果你是快乐你就拍拍手
如果你是快乐你就拍拍手, 拍拍手
如果你是快乐你就拍拍手

(拍拍手 pai pai shou = clap your hands!!)

Here's a fantastic video I found on the internet that can teach you the song (better than I can!)

http://www.qbaobei.com/Html/erge/FZEG/100648147.htm

It sings it for you and gives a little Chinese lesson at the end - it's really great! If you want your child to learn this song, my suggestion is that you take time to watch the video and learn it for yourself!

More songs to come

Bec xx

Sneak preview: Dear Zoo

We have found some exciting bilingual (English / Chinese, of course!) books to read with our xiao peng you starting from this term.

Here's a sneak preview of one of them:

Recognise it? It's from a well-loved children's book called Dear Zoo, a wonderful book where children lift the flaps, learn the names of animals, and some great words that describe them. The fantastic thing is that we have managed to get our hands on a version that will teach us all these great things in English & in Chinese too!

I personally can't wait to get into this book this term!

Bec xx

A great resource for songs

Hi again,

Here's a fantastic resource with some common nursery rhymes in English if you're not sure of them, it's called Baby Karaoke and it's quite cute!! I've looked at it with my nieces who absolutely love it, haven't tried it with Cha cha yet, but I hope to soon! You'll find 2 of our Term 3 songs there.

Check it out and teach your kids to sing along!

(The website it's from, raisingchildren.net.au is also a great Australian government initiative to help people be responsible and confident parents. Haven't had a thorough look around but I think it's worth a look!)

Bec xx