Age-Appropriate and Fun Curriculum

MANDO SCHOOL’s Mandarin classes are specifically designed to cater to the developmental needs and attention spans of nursery-aged children (2-5 years old). The curriculum is crafted to be fun, engaging, and educational, ensuring that children learn Mandarin naturally through play, stories, and interactive activities.

Curriculum Design Tailored for Young Learners

• Short, Interactive Sessions:

  • Classes are kept short (around 20 minutes) to match the attention span of toddlers and preschoolers.

  • Lessons are dynamic, involving various activities to maintain engagement and avoid restlessness.

• Play-Based Learning Approach:

  • The curriculum uses a play-based learning approach, integrating movement, music, and storytelling.

  • Children learn Mandarin through role-playing, acting out animal characters, and imaginative play scenarios.

Basic Vocabulary and Simple Phrases

• Focus on High-Frequency Words and Phrases:

  • The curriculum introduces basic Mandarin vocabulary relevant to children’s daily lives.
  • Children learn simple greetings, common nouns, and action verbs that are easy to understand and remember.

• Examples of Vocabulary Taught:

  • Basic Greetings:
    • 你好 (Nǐ hǎo - Hello)
    • 再见 (Zàijiàn - Goodbye)
  • Simple Nouns:
    • Animals (e.g., 老虎 Lǎohǔ - Tiger, 熊猫 Xióngmāo - Panda)
    • Family Members (e.g., 妈妈 Māmā - Mum, 爸爸 Bàba - Dad)
  • High-Frequency Verbs:
    • To jump (跳 Tiào), to run (跑 Pǎo), to sing (唱 Chàng)
  • Everyday Objects:
    • Toys, colors, and nature-related words like sun (太阳 Tàiyáng) and tree (树 Shù).

Thematic Learning for Better Retention

• Thematic Vocabulary Grouping:

  • Vocabulary is grouped into fun and familiar themes that children can easily relate to, such as:
    • Animals and Nature: Jungle animals, farm animals, and nature elements.
    • Family and Home: Family members, everyday objects, and household items.
    • Colors and Numbers: Basic colors and counting in Mandarin.
    • Actions and Movements: Running, jumping, dancing, and other playful verbs.

• Repetition and Reinforcement:

  • Key vocabulary is repeated throughout the lesson in different activities (songs, stories, and games) for effective learning.
  • Words from previous lessons are revisited to reinforce retention and build confidence.

Story-Led Adventures for Contextual Learning

• Learning Through Stories and Adventures:

  • Each lesson revolves around a fun and imaginative story featuring animal characters that children can relate to.
  • Vocabulary is embedded in the storyline, helping children learn in context rather than isolated words.
  • Children participate in the adventure by acting out characters, enhancing their memory through movement and role-playing.

• Example Story Themes:

  • “The Lost Panda” – Children learn animal names while helping the panda find its way home.
  • “The Jungle Adventure” – Introduces action verbs like jump, run, and climb through a playful jungle exploration.
  • “Family Picnic” – Teaches family members and food items in a relatable, fun picnic setting.

Multi-Sensory Learning for Enhanced Engagement

• Songs, Rhymes, and Music:

  • Vocabulary is taught through catchy songs and rhymes to make words easy to remember.
  • Children sing along with repetitive phrases, helping them learn pronunciation and sentence structure.

• Movement-Based Learning:

  • Lessons include physical movements and actions to engage children’s motor skills.
  • For example, children jump like a frog or stretch like a giraffe, linking words with actions for better memory retention.

• Visual Aids and Story Illustrations:

  • Visual storytelling with colorful illustrations makes learning vivid and memorable.
  • Story characters are consistently used to help children associate words with familiar faces and actions.

Developmentally Appropriate Learning Objectives

• Focus on Listening and Speaking:

  • Emphasis is on listening and speaking skills rather than reading or writing, suitable for the developmental stage of 2-5-year-olds.
  • Encourages children to mimic sounds, repeat phrases, and participate in call-and-response activities.

• Confidence Building and Social Interaction:

  • Group activities and games encourage social interaction and teamwork.
  • Positive reinforcement is used to build confidence in speaking Mandarin.

• Simple Sentences and Phrases:

  • Children learn simple conversational sentences using 2-3 new words per lesson.
  • Example phrases:
    • “你好, 我是… (Nǐ hǎo, wǒ shì… - Hello, I am…)”
    • “谢谢 (Xièxiè - Thank you)”
    • “再见 (Zàijiàn - Goodbye)”

Progressive Learning Pathway

• Consistent and Cumulative Learning:

  • Vocabulary from previous lessons is revisited and integrated into new stories for continuous learning.
  • Lessons are designed to gradually increase in complexity, introducing more words and phrases over time.

• Flexible and Adaptable:

  • Lessons can be easily adapted to different age groups within the nursery setting.
  • Flexible enough to be customized based on children’s learning pace and interests.

Safe and Nurturing Learning Environment

• Fun and Stress-Free Learning:

  • The playful and immersive approach ensures children learn without pressure.
  • Encourages natural language acquisition through play and exploration.

• Positive Reinforcement:

  • Praise and encouragement are consistently used to create a supportive and motivating environment.