Learning Chinese Writing Symbols for Kids

Learning Chinese Writing Symbols, stroke order

In China, there are more than 3,000 dialects of Chinese being spoken; however, Chinese writing symbols are all the same across the regions. So people from different provinces in China speak different dialects, but use the same written language.

Chinese writing characters go back more than 3,000 years. The symbols began as pictures. Pictures were drawn to resemble the items they represented.

Some Popular Chinese Characters and Their Evolution
WATER				SHUǏ
SUN				RÌ
MOUNTAIN				SHĀN
RAIN				YǓ

A standard set of characters to be used throughout the Middle Kingdom emerged in 221 B.C. when China was unified for the first time, and the first Emperor Qin, issued that the same symbols should be used by all.

In ancient China, students had to memorize many pictures or characters each week and used brushes and ink to paint the "words".

We only have to learn the 26 letters in the alphabet to be able to read and write. Imagine trying to memorize hundreds even thousands of pictures in order to be able to read and write...

Chinese character writing is done in columns, from top to bottom and from right to left. So you start writing in the upper right-hand corner of the page.

Some Simple Chinese Characters for You to Try

Characters for Chinese New Year Banners: Make your own Good Luck Messages for the New Year!

Writing the numbers in Chinese 1 to 10 and counting to 99.

Chinese Numbers 100 and beyond

Some Great Books and Resources for Kids - Learning Chinese and Chinese Writing Symbols

We love these books that can help kids get started learning a few words in Chinese! Check out your local library and reserve your copy as they are very popular!

China Books for children: Learning Chinese

First Thousand Words in Chinese

Ages: 5 and up. With Internet-Linked Pronunciation Guide (Usborne Internet-Linked First Thousand Words)
This is a great introduction for kids and yes, it does come with 1000 words. It is a picture book with labels in simplified Chinese (used throughout Mainland China) and pin yin, and to learn the pronounciation, the internet resource comes very handy.
Things and activities are featured, kids get to learn some basic words about things at home, in the kitchen, in the city, the park, the kindergarten, the farm, etc.
Buy from Amazon.com

Chinese for Kids Flash Cards Kit Vol 1

Ages: Preschoolers to Age 12. Includes 64 flash cards, Audio CD, booklet guide and poster.
Exactly what flash cards should be, fun and easy to use! Pictures are attractive and come with the writing diagrams in the back, which are easy to follow.
This is a fun way for kids to learn their first words in Chinese: colors, fruits, animals, clothes, etc.
Buy from Amazon.com

More Chinese for Kids Flash Cards

Ages: Preschoolers to Age 12. Includes 64 flash cards, Audio CD, booklet guide and poster.
It picks up where Chinese for Kids Flash Cards Volume 1 left off. It builds on what you already learned with more everyday easy words and phrases.
This volume includes nature, opposites, going places, etc.

Buy from Amazon.com

More China Books for Children