Learn Chinese and Spanish From Kai-lan and Dora

Ni-Hao Kai-lan features outgoing six-year old preschooler, Kai-lan Chow, Ye-Ye (her grandfather) Rin-too (her 5 year old tiger friend) and Ho-Ho (her 3 year old monkey friend)

Kai-lan and her friends do simple playtime activities like flying kites, making sandcastles and other outdoor activities while teaching Chinese to the viewers. The characters are very cute (anime-like) and are entertaining for the average adult, especially those who do or have cared for children.

The most impressive aspect of this children’s show is not the language, though it is great to know a basic lot of Chinese now, but it is the social conflict resolution the writers put in. Usually, Ho-Ho (the youngest) gets upset. Kai-lan realizes and asks Ho-Ho why he is upset but usually figures it out for herself, then offers solutions. I am impressed with how this show coaches children to be empathetic and try to figure out why a friend is sad. I must be honest, that 6 year old is better than I am at figuring “what’s wrong”. I always figured that if someone didn’t want to tell me what was wrong, that’s their problem. But, the Asian and Asian/American culture puts much emphasis on relating to family and friends on an emotional and empathetic level.

Try “Ni-Hao Kai-lan”! I think you’ll really enjoy it.

Dora the Explorer I know you have seen or, at least, heard of. Dora and her monkey friend, Boots, use animated friend-characters Map and Backpack to find their way through forests, bridges, rivers and mountains. Joined by nemesis, Swiper the Fox, (who always tries to steal their things) cousin Diego (who has his own show, Go, Diego,Go!) and other Mexican friends, Dora and Boots teach Spanish to the viewers.

This show does a great job with challenging children’s visual/audio memory and spatial skills. Dora sings the “Map” song to conjure her map to show her where to go. The viewers are asked to remember the three-stop sequence and “tell” Dora where to go. Also, Backpak contain useful items that Dora and Boots use along their escapades. The viewers are asked to choose the sppropriate tool for the job.

Great for adults trying to learn basic Spanish. They introduce proper verb usage too.