Author Archives: mengshagong

Journey to the West – Chapter 12.3

They say that Taizong issued a edict pardoning many who had committed crimes throughout the land. For another over four hundred prisoners awaiting execution, he allowed them to go home for one year to set their affairs in order and to bid farewell to their relatives before returning to receive their sentences. The criminals thankedContinue reading “Journey to the West – Chapter 12.3”

Journey to the West – Chapter 12.2

They say that the civil and military advisors of the Tang court, along with the East Palace princes, empress, concubines, and attendants were all at the White Tiger Palace in mourning, all while discussing the matter of proclaiming the Emperor’s death, announcing a period of mourning, and crowning the prince as emperor. Wei Zheng stoppedContinue reading “Journey to the West – Chapter 12.2”

More Chinese picture books my 3 year old loves

As promised, here are some more Chinese picture books we’re loving in year 3. I am realizing there are things I posted about on Instagram that I never shared on here, but also that there are probably even more things on our bookshelves we loved in the early part of age 3 that we’ve sinceContinue reading “More Chinese picture books my 3 year old loves”

Our favorite Chinese picture books at 3 years old

I am back with a book update. It’s been a long time and we’ve acquired many books, so hopefully this is just part one. Today I’m focusing on four Chinese books. 章鱼先生要比赛 [Mr. Octopus’s Competition] is a story about some animal friends competing in various events, such as who is the tallest, the fastest, orContinue reading “Our favorite Chinese picture books at 3 years old”

Moo, no moo.

A 15-month-old update on language acquisition for baby #2: Em has started to speak a few more two-word phrases. Many of these she has only said once, but so clearly that sometimes I feel like I’m imagining things except that the sounds she makes fit the context. Some recent phrases include: She’s also acquired 抱[toContinue reading “Moo, no moo.”

The second Bilingual Baby?

Hello. In case you missed it, we now have two kids, and that means one more datapoint. Bilingual parents know that raising younger kids bilingual is wayyy harder than with your oldest, because no matter how much the parents try to speak the target language at home, the older sibling will probably speak some EnglishContinue reading “The second Bilingual Baby?”

Learning to read is metal

Watching my kiddo learning to read has been crazy cool. The number of mental leaps required for reading that we now take for granted as adults is absolutely insane. It’s been 6 weeks since my last post. Here’s an update. Last time I posted that my son had started using the iHuman Chinese app toContinue reading “Learning to read is metal”

Journey to the West – Chapter 12.1

They say that Taizong traveled with Magistrate Cui and General Zhu for a long time and came to the Sixfold Path of Transmigration.1 They saw people draped in dawn-colored cloaks flying in the clouds, people with golden fish hanging from their sashes receiving prophecies; monks, nuns, Daoists, and common folks; walking beasts and birds ofContinue reading “Journey to the West – Chapter 12.1”

How I am teaching my 3 year old to read Chinese: iHuman Chinese (洪恩识字) App Review

Reading Chinese – and indeed the entire idea of memorizing thousands of characters – is often cited to be one of the most intimidating aspect of learning Chinese. However, I have always thought that learning to read Chinese should be easier than learning to read English for a child – there is no logic involved,Continue reading “How I am teaching my 3 year old to read Chinese: iHuman Chinese (洪恩识字) App Review”