To many, the Chinese language is the language of the future. That thought is justified by the fact that it is the most widely spoken language in the world today and it shows no signs of slowing down as native regions are experiencing population booms and there is an increasing number of non-native speakers immersing themselves into Chinese language and culture. China also has ties in many countries from those in its vicinity and some as far away as the Americas, Africa, and Western Europe.
As parents, we have to equip our children to deal with the changing world and prepare them for the future. So how do we prepare children for a world that already has a very strong Chinese influence that will continue to grow as China extends her reach?
The answer to that question is simple. Start teaching Chinese to your kids at an early age.
WHY SHOULD CHILDREN LEARN CHINSE LANGUAGE?
In most languages, writing happens in a left to right motion across a page. However, in Mandarin Chinese, writing characters requires the writer to move his or her hand all across the page in various angles with different strokes. This will develop motor skills, spatial perception, improved hand-eye coordination, and artistic ability.
When children learn the Chinese language, both sides of their brain are stimulated which allows them to think logically and critically. It also improves their problem-solving ability. This can also foster strong mathematical skills and also debating skills.
Remember when you had a secret language when you were a kid? The adults couldn't understand (or well, you thought they couldn't) and you and your best friends could talk in secret. Well, learning Mandarin Chinese can be a bit like that, but the difference is that it is a real language that is sure to help out your child in the long run. Also, they will be able to communicate with other persons in the community who may or may not know English and will be able to make new friends.
HOW CAN MY CHILD LEARN CHINESE LANGUAGE?
There are many classes in and around Singapore where your child can be instructed in the Mandarin language. Some of these happen in a classroom setting, at someone's home or can take place at your home in a one-on-one tutor setting.
If your child is already tech-savvy then online Mandarin classes shouldn't be hard for them to manoeuvre. With thousands of options to choose from, you and your child will have no problem finding the best class for him or her based on user interface, schedule, personal preferences and so on.
If your child is the independent-learner type and doesn't need formal instruction then give him or her access to media such as Mandarin videos, movies and books so that he or she can learn at his or her own pace.
Investing in teaching children Chinese at an early age is a wise choice. These are their formative years and it will be much easier for them to grasp certain concepts and they will have a lot more time to grasp the entire language.