hi,
do you know any website where we can order interesting workbooks for chinese writing? thanks.
Hi reei,
I bought several Chinese writing workbooks in a bookstore in Mongkok when my husband and I went to HK 3-4 years ago. The bookstore is called 漢榮書局 (tel # 2391 0585). The workbooks are from a series called 幼兒啟智系列 - ä¸æ–‡ç·´ç¿’ from Outstanding Publications Ltd. There are 3 levels for Chinese writing for ages 2-6 years old. The workbooks are simple and teaches traditional characters starting from the simplest ones first. There is a page of small stickers included in each book for rewards.
However, I have not started Ella on these workbooks yet so I don’t know whether she’ll like them. I bought them on our trip even before Ella was born and did not know about Doman and all these early education stuff then. Since then, I have read “How to Teach Your Baby to Read Chinese” and, in the book, the author theorizes that the reason a lot of children (esp overseas Chinese children who are learning Chinese as a second language) lose interest in learning Chinese is because there is too much and too early emphasis on learning to write and the child’s fine motor skills are not able to keep up with their cognitive development. So I am planning to have Ella finish the HWT Pre-K and K curriculum first before even attempting to teach Chinese writing. In the meantime, I will continue to teach her to read the characters first and build up her vocabulary and reading skills. As of now, she is able to read approximately 800 characters - still a far cry from the 5000-8000 she will need to learn, but hey, it’s a good start. :yes: If you have an iPad, you can also search for Chinese writing apps which will let them practice their fine motor skills in a fun way. Ella likes the iWriteChinese app. 
Hope this helps. 
Sorry… the app is called iLearn Chinese, not iWrite Chinese.
thanks a lot aangeles. such detailed explanation… i’ll check out the mongkok bookstores. karma to you.
Where do you live? There are a lot of good sites that sell Chinese learning books in general: Chinasprout.com, Childbook.com, Asianparent.com… (search “workbook”) There are lots of different workbooks, usually in textbook series, like Chinese Made Easy for Kids http://www.childbook.com/Chinese-Made-Easy-for-Kids-Workbook-Simplified-L1-p/lcmeksw01.htm (look at the link below, they have Trad character edition too), Chinese Made Easy (which is for a bit older kids), My First Chinese Words,
My First Chinese Reader (same company as First Chinese Words but again for a bit older kids), Kuaile Hanyu.
http://www.childbook.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=workbook&Search.x=0&Search.y=0
The Max and Mei books have a couple of workbooks: http://shop.ppp.com.hk/category/activity-book They are meant to go along with the story and cd sets (click “box set + audio CD” in the Categories menu to the right)… We have the first one and it is nice and simple start.
Mei Mei Hu of the Mei Mei dvd fame has some “Let’s Write Chinese with Mei Mei” books: http://www.meimeiandme.com/book01.html though she only ships within the states. She has other character writing and practice books and pads for sale as well: http://www.meimeiandme.com/books.html
Have fun! I’m only starting the most rudimentary with my son who is 5.5 yrs old… ie da, ri, yue, xiao, yi, er, san…