Hide and seek

Author: Ge Bing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-08-01
Features: As the saying goes, "Judge a person by their actions at three." The qualities formed during infancy have a lasting impact on a person's life. When a child first enters the world, they are like a blank sheet of paper—what they draw and the colors they use will inevitably shape their future. Early childhood is a crucial period for physical growth and intellectual development, so early education is highly valued by every parent.
The "Dudu Bear Series" is a set of books designed to cultivate good qualities and habits in children. Through interactions with the lovable Dudu Bear and engaging stories, children are nurtured in both moral and intellectual development while playing. For example, if your child is reluctant to try new things or picky about food, or if you hope they develop good manners, hygiene, or become smarter, you might let them see how Dudu Bear handles these situations. He will serve as a role model for your child.
Dudu Bear is a fluffy, adorable little bear. Since his introduction in 1998, he has been a favorite among infants and parents alike. His series of stories were serialized in Infant Picture Magazine and Young Child Picture Magazine, broadcast on China Central Television, and in 2003, China Children's Press published a dedicated magazine titled Dudu Bear. Today, Dudu Bear has become a well-known figure among Chinese infants and parents.
In addition to the cute Dudu Bear, the stories feature his friends: Mao Maoqiu, Pig Feifei, Monkey Taotao, Mouse Baobao, and Turtle Haha. They all bring joy to children.
Below, we will discuss how to guide your child in reading these stories.
It is common for children to pick up a book, flip through the pictures, and read the stories, only to lose interest quickly and leave the book aside. Some parents also report that their children lack patience when reading—they bring a book home but hardly touch it before losing interest. This hasty approach is not ideal, as it may lead to a habit of "lacking patience and being lazy to think."
However, guiding children to read can be a thoughtful process, and fostering good reading habits is essential. Here, we provide some simple reading methods for your reference:
1. Before storytelling, let your child look at the pictures first. By the way, the illustrations in this book are distinctive—they were created by the renowned children's painter Wu Daisheng, a nominee for the International Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration. The pictures are particularly detailed, with Dudu Bear drawn as fluffy and meticulously crafted, something rarely seen in typical children's illustrations. As you and your child admire these beautiful images, you can ask questions like, "What animals are in the picture? What are they doing?" This prepares the child for the story and encourages active participation and thinking from the start.
2. After looking at the pictures, the parent can then read the story to the child. Here, we emphasize "reading aloud" not just to tell the story, but also to focus on "developing the child's language skills." Therefore, it is best for parents to prepare in advance to read with expression and emotion. This not only engages the child but also subtly helps them learn language expression.
3. Once the story is told once, the child will have a general understanding of it. The parent can then use the "storytelling" (storytelling relay) method, involving the child in the storytelling. For example, the parent says one sentence, and the child continues with the next. This collaborative approach helps the child engage actively. During the storytelling, the parent can ask questions appropriately and explain parts the child may not understand, based on their age and comprehension level.
4. When the child is familiar with the story, they can try telling the entire story themselves. Younger children may struggle at first, so parents can use the questioning method—asking one sentence and letting the child respond with the next. If the child can tell the story completely, they can also close the book and retell it in their own words. This not only enhances language skills but also exercises memory.
5. During the reading guidance process, parents' questions are very important. Questions can be tied to the story's content but also used to impart moral education. For example, ask the child, "What can we learn from Dudu Bear? Who did the right thing? Who made a mistake?" Encouraging questions and curiosity can motivate children to think more and stay engaged.
At the end of each story, there are also games. Parents can play these games with their children, revisiting the story through play, exercising their minds, and finding joy in the process.
We hope your child enjoys this book and becomes a good friend of Dudu Bear.