Teach little kids to sing English.3

Author: Zhang Xiangjun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: Melodious English children's songs; Fun game units; Happy language learning. English children's songs CD: 10 familiar English children's songs to guide children in learning happily; Game learning units: 50 English game learning units to lead children in natural learning; DIY art paper: 2 DIY art paper sheets to provide children with hands-on crafting.
The learning of a language is inseparable from cultural understanding. One effective way to enhance children's interest in language learning and increase their cultural awareness is to expose them to traditional folk songs from around the world. The ancestors of each ethnic group have left behind many beautiful nursery rhymes, which often represent the essence of their culture. It is important for children to learn and sing some of these folk songs from a young age, especially those passed down in English-speaking countries.
In the UK, nursery rhymes are considered a formal field of study and are compiled into early learning materials, systematically introduced by nannies and kindergarten teachers. For British children, the period before the age of five is the era of nursery rhymes. Some say, "British children's education is effective because it is guided and driven by nursery rhymes," which seems quite reasonable.
In Taiwan, parents generally believe that the earlier a child learns a foreign language, the better the outcome. As a result, bilingual kindergartens are popping up everywhere, and English learning is becoming increasingly lowized. However, as the duration of English learning extends, English teaching materials and methods must vary across different stages. It is essential not to focus solely on language skills, merely memorizing vocabulary, grammar rules, and practicing dialogues, while neglecting the cultural aspects of English and American languages. Children should be introduced to the cultures of English-speaking countries to use English naturally.
Specifically targeting the physical and mental development characteristics of preschoolers, the author has written three game books—《Teach Little Kids to Sing English》（1, 2, 3）—allowing children to sing English nursery rhymes, count, solve mazes, color, and engage in cutting and pasting activities at school or home. These activities aim to enhance their interest in learning English and expand their other skills. The 30 nursery rhymes and exercises selected for the three game books are carefully chosen and designed based on the physical and mental development of children at different age levels. Parents or teachers can select them according to the child's English learning progress.
As someone working in children's education, it is difficult not to give children the best. Even simple activities, like maze exercises, are designed not only to be related to the content of English nursery rhymes to reinforce the theme but also to convey beauty in the illustrations. Therefore, the author has specially invited a good friend, the renowned picture book author Shi Zhengting, to draw all the illustrations to ensure their authenticity and aesthetic appeal. Each game book comes with a CD, allowing children to sing along repeatedly.
To help children clearly hear the pronunciation of each English nursery rhyme and sing along accurately to achieve language learning goals, the recordings were produced with the voice actors first reciting each rhyme once, followed by singing with music in the second take, and finally providing a pure musical accompaniment for children to practice independently.