When creating an environment conducive to learning Mandarin at home, it is important to remember language bears a direct relevance on everyday life.

Otherwise, learning becomes an academic exercise and children quickly lose interest.

Parents often ask me about the best ways to encourage their child’s Mandarin at home. So here are some tips for you to help your children.

1)    Reading - Children love stories.

Children also love the bonding that occurs when a parent reads to them. Make it a daily bedtime ritual and enjoy the language yourselves.

If you are not a confident reader, then sit with your child and listen to audio books while you follow the book. There are plenty of great books that you can buy.

This is a great way to increase vocabulary while the child absorbs the expressive dynamic of the language. Create a place on the bookshelf that is specially designated for Mandarin books.

2)    Sing - Singing is a great way to learn language and you don’t have to be a good singer.

When words are matched with melody, we remember them more easily. This is a fun way to build vocabulary.

Sing along with CDs. Learn the songs yourself and enjoy singing with your children around the house.

3)    Television - Used sensibly, the television can be a powerful learning aid.

As long as the programmes, such as educational videos or some broadcasts, are carefully selected, the time is limited and the activity is shared.

Set time during the day for watching Mandarin children’s programmes on the television with your child. But make sure you talk about the programmes you have seen. Ask your child questions about the things you watched.

4)    Games - Play games with your child that can introduce Mandarin characters. There are plenty of good games on the market, for example, matching pictures and characters, magic box or picture dominos.

5)    Label items around the home and begin to introduce the Mandarin names for objects during conversation.

6)    Be a role model - How can the child feel interested if the parent is not?

Even if you are not a good Mandarin speaker, show a personal interest in learning the language yourself. For example, encourage your child to use at home, the words that they learned at school.

Ask them what the words mean and use them yourself. This is very empowering for a child because they enjoy becoming the ‘teacher’.

7)    Create as many opportunities as possible for your child to learn and speak Mandarin.

You can arrange play dates with other Mandarin-speaking children so that they can use the language while they play with their friends.

8)    Join Chinese learning adventure trips.

These language immersion programmes provide one of the most dynamic learning opportunities for children and their families. Be immersed in a language-rich environment with your children and learn Mandarin together.

Remember that with all learning, your enthusiasm and involvement is the key to happy and healthy development. Have fun!

This article was contributed by Huang Ying, Head of Mandarin at Julia Gabriel Centre for Learning & Chiltern House.