Go Boo Boo Chinese Language Learning for Kids Includes Both Zhuyin and Pinyin Methods

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When it comes to educational materials that help kids to learn Chinese, the tools available are often lacking. In an attempt to teach my toddler Chinese, I’ve scoured Amazon.com and have randomly purchase books, CDs and DVDs. Many have disappointed me due to poor production quality, lack of structure, narrow focus or for featuring almost all boys in the video (must have been created in China).

My toddler checks out Boo Boo's Chinese Grooves for
Toddlers Vol. 1 - Sing Along BookPhoto: Maria Adcock

I had the opportunity to review Go Boo Boo, a new Chinese language learning system for kids from age 12 months to grade school (5+ years). Go Boo Boo includes books, CDs, flash cards, wall charts and downloadable products. I was impressed by the high quality of the materials and the methodology behind these products, and tried them out with my daughter.

Go Boo Boo was founded by Marisa Liu Hanke and her partners -- a husband and wife team who runs A Little Dynasty Chinese School, the leading Chinese school for children in Orange County, California.

Hanke, a founding parent of a public Chinese language immersion program approved by her local school board, created Go Boo Boo because she noticed a lack of quality products for children to learn Mandarin Chinese, felt existing products forced parents to choose which method to learn (Zhuyin or Pinyin, yet both systems had their benefits) and thought product content was not culturally or socially relevant for children growing up in non-Chinese speaking countries (her son had no clue what a bitter melon was). 

The industry of learning Mandarin Chinese is divided between the two formats: Zhuyin (Chinese alphabet) or Pinyin (English alphabet). As Hanke pointed out, parents are typically asked to pick which system they want their children to learn and then educational materials feature one or the other. Go Boo Boo is different as it believes both systems are important if someone is learning Mandarin Chinese as a young child.

Hanke explains the Go Boo Boo method: “Young children 3 or 4 years and up have an invaluable opportunity to learn multiple languages accent free as if they were all native languages, so it is a great opportunity for them to start with the Chinese Alphabet (Zhuyin) which is a more accurate way for learning Chinese pronunciation. This will also avoid confusion with the English Alphabet (Pinyin) when they start school. As children reach approximately 2nd grade, we believe in transitioning children to Pinyin. By this point, they have mastered the Chinese accent and have a good foundation for English that they can start using Pinyin for learning new words.”

Hanke continues, “For older children, those over 6 years old and who already have a good foundation for English, it would be fine for them to also start off with Pinyin only.  We are not a proponent of learning only one or the other. We just believe if you are starting your children young (under 6), then starting with Zhuyin and then Pinyin is IDEAL.”

The development concept behind Go Boo Boo includes the following:

Sing Along books and the Chinese Alphabet book helps
kids learn Mandarin Chinese in a fun and engaging way.
Photo: Maria Adcock

1. Products Must Be Fun and Engaging for Children

The founders tested all lyrics, content, and artwork on students at A Little Dynasty Chinese School to ensure it captured their attention and made them laugh. The founders strongly believe that the best way for children to learn is for them to have fun and to be engaged so that the learning process will come naturally.

2.  Products Should be User Friendly for Parents Who Do Not Speak Chinese

Go Boo Boo's Chinese alphabet wall chart and flash cards
feature both the Zhuyin and Pinyin methods.
Photo: Maria Adcock

Given the growing interest among non-native Chinese families for their children to learn Mandarin Chinese, the founders felt it was important that all products featured multi-translations in English, Traditional Chinese, the Chinese Alphabet (Zhuyin) and Pinyin phonetics so that parents who do not speak Chinese can follow along. 

3. Products Include Both Formats of Chinese

While the majority of other products in the market require parents to choose if they want their child to learn Traditional Chinese (uses the Chinese alphabet phonetics) or Simplified Chinese (uses Pinyin phonetics), Go Boo Boo believes in having young children learn both so that they can take advantage of the benefits of each system, as previously explained above. 

My daughter and I used listened to the CDs, read the books, and tried out the flash cards and wall chart. Though I am not fluent in Mandarin Chinese, I was able to follow along the songs and the books by reading the Pinyin.

We tried both the Boo Boo's Chinese Grooves for Toddlers Vol. 1 - Sing Along Book and audio CD as well as the Kids Sing Along CD version – the main difference is that the lyrics for the Toddler CD are shorter for younger children. All the songs were catchy, especially the rap tune "My Name is Boo Boo" which is featured on the Kids CD. Children love music and my daughter is no exception. We found ourselves singing along to the songs.

I would recommend Go Boo Boo for children who want to learn Mandarin Chinese. For those looking for an infant version of Go Boo Boo, the founders are working on creating materials for babies under a year old so check their website for updates.

Follow Go Boo Boo on Facebook to receive updates and learn more about its products.

DISCOUNT CODE FOR BICULTURAL MAMA READERS

Want to try Go Boo Boo? Bicultural Mama readers have access to an exclusive 30% discount on all products until 2/10/13. Just visit www.gobooboo.com and input the code BMAMA at checkout to receive 30% off. Buy for yourself or ship for free to friends for Chinese New Year!

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

One reader will win both the Kids Sing Along Book and the Chinese Alphabet Book. To enter, please complete the entry form below. The winning entry will be verified, and if not valid then a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway ends at 12:01 a.m. on 2/01/13. Please see terms and conditions in the entry form for additional information. Shipped to U.S. addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Author received product samples to assess for this review. All opinions expressed are solely those of the author.