Because I’m Not That Kind Of Kiasu (I’m A Slightly Different Kind)
We went in to order P’s school books on the way to the airport a couple of weeks back (yes, we had all our suitcases, it was a comedy of… suitcases…) and the woman at the bookshop recommended some preparatory holiday workbooks. Like, as in, workbooks to do over the school holidays. In preparation. For the first year of primary school.
Of course I declined. Usually when I tell this story I like to add that last sentence in an airy tone, whilst cocking a single eyebrow. Workbooks? For the holidays? Whatever happened to kicking back over summer, enjoying some free time, and maybe relaxing with a bit of an in-car Chinese lesson whilst driving between the library and the art gallery?
Rene (Together We Roam) is also not that kind of kiasu. That’s why she suggested the library and art gallery.
This Is What Happened To Free Time And Kick Backs
A Little Mandarin offered me their CD to review. I said yes. We actually took the train to the library and art gallery, but that’s not the point.
Was the CD any good?
It was! The vocals were clear (and not annoying) and the vocab level was set just nicely for P, who could understand enough to feel comfortable but not so much that he felt unchallenged. T thought the music was “lovely” and was happy to try and sing along. Toni Wang has done a great job fulfilling her aim of creating a contemporary-sounding children’s album which helps introduce young kids to Chinese.
Was there anything we didn’t like about it?
Well, P was quite miffed to find that the CD contained no music from Star Wars. I argued with him for a short period about the appropriateness of the Star Wars soundtrack for the purpose of learning Chinese, given that it’s essentially a lyric-less score, but he countered that the lack of lyrics make it perfect for people of all languages and at that point I admit I gave up, which may or may not be connected to the fact that he now plays The Imperial March whenever I come downstairs for breakfast, as if I don’t dislike mornings enough.
The verdict?
Great CD for helping introduce Mandarin Chinese to 2-5 year olds. Definitely more Twinkle Twinkle than Star Wars, though. Would suit the I’m-not-kiasu-I-just-happen-to-enjoy-educational-outings parenting set.
More information:
At A Little Mandarin, the website. Available over there: samples to listen to and lyrics to help you sing along.
Still to come: that time I pointlessly challenged a nonagenarian to a throw-down over packing lists.
I have decided public transport and my kids don’t go hand in hand. I’m not sure if I would’ve survived the day if it weren’t for your lovely, quiet, well behaved little crew.
It was so much fun meeting you. Perhaps next time, let’s do tea at mine? No, I am up for the challenge. I just feel sorry that you had to adopt my son for most of the day.
By the way your are putting my little family further to shame as I have completely dropped the Chinese language. I’m not sure my kids understand my parents when they speak, perhaps this CD might help. Failing that can you converse with my parents instead? xo
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They’re no worse than any other kids. Mine were in a crazy good mood that day – I don’t want you to get the impression that’s average or anything! That said, going to someone’s house is always an easy option when it’s a kid-friendly house. We definitely took on a more ambitious outing the other day.
It’s just too easy to stick to English in Australia – no real pressure to speak/learn anything else (except for fun). Good old Singapore and their Mother Tongue policy! I don’t think I could talk to your parents – the kids put me to shame with languages as well.
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I may have to get this. Z is sucking up languages right now like a sponge! And making her own words as well, for example, she tells me today “mom, blah means house in thai”. Hahah, she cracks me up.
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Love how they make up their own languages. P had his own sign language at one point before he could talk properly. It was kind of limited in usefulness but at least I could understand him 🙂
Check out the website, see what you think. It’s definitely good for that age group and having the lyrics there helps us non-speakers as well!
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Does it help him to know that I can hum the Imperial March?
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Ha! I will tell him. 🙂
Thanks for the album. It was great! P is a hard sell on anything non-Star-Wars related at the moment so I think these songs did well under the circumstances.
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Ha ha, P is hilarious! He definitely knows what he wants! 🙂
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Oh my yes, yes he does. I will never worry about him being “easily led” or falling victim to peer pressure.
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Good for him! And you! 🙂
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I’m not one hundred percent sure how good it is for me at the moment, but I suppose it pays off later? Yes? (Say yes.)
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Yes 🙂
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Thanks 🙂
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I so love P and his perspective 🙂
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It’s cute in small doses 😉
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Ah, that’s not one you’ll find on my list to Santa. I am challenged enough with English. 🙂 –Curt
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You sell yourself short. I’m sure you could take on at least three foreign languages and would be great singing “Twinkle Twinkle”.
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Spanish, French, German… maybe. But Chinese.Ha. 🙂 –Curt
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I can never bring myself to make the kids complete their summer work. Too depressing. I spent my summers climbing trees, lying in the grass, and horsing around. Not doing math. And I turned out fine.
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I was playing Monopoly today – one of the traditional summer games in our house – and P WAS TOTALLY DOING MATHS. I’m tempted to think that ok, but later on when the work is more complex they won’t be able to just pick these things up while horsing around but I wonder just how far it can be stretched. It’d be interesting to list off everything you learned while “horsing around”.
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I prefer to think of summer as a time to get out, exercise, and soak up vitamin D. (And it continues to freak me out that you’re on summer break and I’m staring at two inches of new snow.)
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There’s got to be that, too, for sure. Although sometimes it gets SO BAKING HOT (ha, sorry, couldn’t resist) that indoors is best for a few hours until it cools down again.
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Difficult as Mandaran may be Cantanese is supposed to be more difficult. Oh you made my day with your kiasu heading. Those who’ve lived in Sin-ja-pur end up being kiasu. Welcome to the club!
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I’ve heard that. More tones. All those complicated/traditional characters.
Don’t tell me you’re kiasu, too? 🙂
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Definitely kiasu! lol
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I definitely want to play in the art gallery. Should i decide to learn Mandarin, likely best to do when one is 2-5, I shall search out the CD. Too bad about the Star Wars being poorly represented though. 🙂
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The Gallery Of Modern Art was a great outing. The picture is of the Obliteration Room – an interactive installation by Yayoi Kusama. More here:
http://www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/kids/exhibitions/current/yayoi_kusama_the_obliteration_room
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That looks like so much fun!
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You are allowed to put stickers on EVERYTHING. The kids went nuts. P complained that the high ceiling was blank – would have been a challenge for your other half.
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Haha that would be so fun. I am sure we could get a sticker on that ceiling. 🙂
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I’m seeing a human pyramid. Kind of glad I didn’t think of that at the time, actually…
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AS an aside, I have a friend who believes we should adopt The Imperial March as our national anthem – because everyone would know the words.
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That’s true. You (he/she) don’t (doesn’t) think the main theme would make a more uplifting national anthem, though? Maybe we could get a campaign going for that.
Ba ba ba BAAAAH BAAAH…
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