Want kids to learn Mandarin without feeling burdened by the pressure of studying? Introducing nursery songs to their learning journey can be a good way to provide a new experience for kids. This option provides parents with an affordable and easy way to keep their kids engaged while learning Mandarin. So, how exactly do nursery songs help your kids learn Mandarin effectively? In this article, we will explore more about Mandarin nursery songs, including some of the most popular and recommended options for your kids to try!

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Learning Mandarin through nursery songs is extremely effective, especially for kids. Music often sticks better to many people due to its repeated and easy to digest lyrics. Learning through songs can transform kids’ study sessions into a more engaging and fun way of understanding Mandarin. Here’s how nursery songs can help your kids understand Mandarin better. 

Vocabulary Acquisition

Nursery songs usually use simple and repeated Chinese words suitable for kids. This repetition is a great way for children to pick up commonly used Chinese vocabulary naturally. With a catchy tune, nursery songs often work better than other tools meant for helping children build their vocabulary, such as flashcards and children books. 

Boosting Creativity and Imagination

Nursery songs often have many themes such as describing animals, showing daily activities, and even telling a simple adventure. While singing nursery songs, kids can imagine what is happening in the song through vivid imagery. These songs can help kids understand the context behind songs and enhance their musical skills. 

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Learn Chinese Characters

If you’re playing nursery songs through YouTube, you may notice that many videos provide Chinese characters, Pinyin, and English translations on screen to accommodate young learners better. This experience can provide kids with an early exposure to simple Chinese characters. Oftentimes, children can start recognising simple Chinese characters through daily exposure and constant repetition while learning Mandarin nursery songs. 

At first glance, MOE aligned courses and Chinese enrichment classes may seem similar. However, their differences come in many aspects that may result in different learning experiences. Before choosing the most suitable Chinese course for your children, let’s learn the differences between MOE aligned courses and Chinese enrichment classes .

Curriculums

The most distinguishing difference between MOE aligned courses and Chinese enrichment classes can be seen in their varying curriculum. MOE-aligned courses are often standardized between one tuition centre and another as these classes are meant to help children learn based on school curriculum. Therefore, this type of learning is often inflexible. On the other hand, Chinese enrichment classes offer the flexibility to customize courses depending on children’s needs. This course is suitable for children who want to master a specific Chinese skill. 

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Goals 

MOE-aligned courses often share the same curriculum with MOE’s objective, which include developing language skills, cultivating humanistic qualities, and fostering generic competencies. These goals can be reflected on how well children are doing in their classes. On the other hand, children’s goals when joining Chinese enrichment classes may differ from one another.

Assessments

MOE-aligned courses usually have certain measurements to help assess students’ progress in learning Chinese language. Many tuition centers refer to official national exams to form assessment. This assessment will usually cover all basic Chinese skills: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. On the other hand, Chinese enrichment classes have a different approach to assess their students. A common example is measuring children’s ability based on their participation and classroom activities. These classes usually adopt a more flexible assessment method to help implement fun learning activities for children.

1. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

This nursery song is not only popular as a Mandarin song for kids, but also as a globally known song. With its familiarity to many kids, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star can be a great start for kids who want to learn Mandarin through nursery songs. Here’s the Mandarin lyric, pinyin, and English translation for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. 

Chinese and Pinyin

一闪一闪亮晶晶

yī shǎn yī shǎn liàng jīng jīng

满天都是小星星

mǎn tiān dū shì xiǎo xīng xīng

挂在天边放光明

guà zài tiān biān fàng guāng míng

好像许多小眼睛

hǎo xiàng xǔ duō xiǎo yǎn jīng

一闪一闪亮晶晶

yī shǎn yī shǎn liàng jīng jīng

满天都是小星星

mǎn tiān dū shì xiǎo xīng xīng

English Translation

Twinkle twinkle little star

How I wonder what you are

Up Above the world so high

Like a diamond in the sky

Twinkle twinkle little star

How I wonder what you are

2. Where Are My Friends

This nursery song is another popular title that helps children learn to count and understand more about friendship. Usually, this song is used to help kindergarten students learn about basic Mandarin phrases. Here’s the Mandarin lyric, pinyin, and English translation for Where Are My Friends.

Chinese and Pinyin

一二三四五六七

yī èr sān sì wǔ liù qī

我的朋友在哪里

wǒ de péng yǒu zài nǎ lǐ

在这里 在这里

zài zhè lǐ zài zhè lǐ

我的朋友在这里

wǒ de péng yǒu zài zhè lǐ

English Translation

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven

Where are my friends? 

Here, here

My friends are here

3. A Pair of Little Hands

This song is perfect for kids who are beginning to learn about human body parts, particularly hands. With its easy-to listen tune, this song will also help children learn to count numbers. Here’s the Mandarin lyric, pinyin, and English translation for A Pair of Little Hands. 

Chinese and Pinyin

一双小小手

yīshuāng xiǎo xiǎoshǒu

十个手指头

shí gè shǒuzhǐ tou

掰手算算术

bāi shǒu suàn suànshù

一三五七九

yī sān wǔ qī jiǔ

拍手来唱歌

pāishǒu lái chànggē

哆来咪发唆

duō lái mī fā suō

互相分不开

hùxiāng fēn bù kāi

都是好朋友

dōu shì hǎo péngyǒu

English Translation

A pair of little hands 

With ten little fingers

Counting on my fingers

One, three, five, seven, nine

Clapping to the song

Do re mi fa sol

They can’t be seperated

They are all good friends

4. Head and Shoulders

For many people, this song is a very popular nursery rhyme used in many countries. Its popularity is supported by how this song can be used to help kids learn about their body parts. Furthermore, this song is often used for boosting motor skills in kids to become more active. Here’s the Mandarin lyrics, pinyin, and English translation for Head and Shoulders.

Chinese and Pinyin

头 肩膀 膝盖 脚 膝盖 脚

tóu jiānbǎng xīgài jiǎo xīgài jiǎo

头 肩膀 膝盖 脚 膝盖 脚

tóu jiānbǎng xīgài jiǎo xīgài jiǎo

眼睛 耳朵 嘴和鼻子

yǎnjīng ěrduǒ zuǐ hé bízi

头 肩膀 膝盖 脚 膝盖 脚

tóu jiānbǎng xīgài jiǎo xīgài jiǎo

English Translation

Head, shoulders, knees, feet, knees, feet

Head, shoulders, knees, feet, knees, feet

Eyes, ears, mouth, and nose

Head, shoulders, knees, feet, knees, feets

5. The Finger Family Song

Similar to the previous song, The Finger Family Song focuses on introducing body parts. In this song, kids can familiarize themselves with how to call their family members in Mandarin. This song can be perfect for a fun family activity that includes parents and their kids. If you’re interested in singing The Finger Family Song with your kids, here’s the complete Mandarin lyric, pinyin, and English translation as your reference!

Chinese and Pinyin

你有多根手指 ？

nǐ yǒu duōshǎo gēn shǒuzhǐ?

我有一二三四五

Wǒ yǒu yī èr sān sì wǔ

五根手指

wǔ gēn shǒuzhǐ

手指爸爸 手指爸爸 您在哪儿

shǒuzhǐ bàba shǒuzhǐ bàba nín zài nǎr

我在这儿 我在这儿 你好吗

wǒ zài zhèr wǒ zài zhèr nǐ hǎo ma

爸爸 爸爸 爸爸 手指爸爸

bàba bàba bàba shǒuzhǐ bàba

手指 手指 手指家庭

shǒuzhǐ shǒuzhǐ shǒuzhǐ jiātíng

手指妈妈 手指妈妈 您在哪儿

shǒuzhǐ māma shǒuzhǐ māma nín zài nǎr

我在这儿 我在这儿 你好吗

wǒ zài zhèr wǒ zài zhèr nǐ hǎo ma

妈妈 妈妈 妈妈 手指妈妈

māma māma māma shǒuzhǐ māma

手指 手指 手指家庭

shǒuzhǐ shǒuzhǐ shǒuzhǐ jiātíng

手指哥哥 手指哥哥 你在哪儿

shǒuzhǐ gēge shǒuzhǐ gēge nǐ zài nǎr

我在这儿 我在这儿 你好吗

wǒ zài zhèr wǒ zài zhèr nǐ hǎo ma

哥哥 哥哥 哥哥 手指哥哥

gēge gēge gēge shǒuzhǐ gēge

手指 手指 手指家庭

shǒuzhǐ shǒuzhǐ shǒuzhǐ jiātíng

手指妹妹 手指妹妹 你在哪儿

shǒuzhǐ mèimei shǒuzhǐ mèimei nǐ zài nǎr

我在这儿 我在这儿 你好吗

wǒ zài zhèr wǒ zài zhèr nǐ hǎo ma

妹妹 妹妹 妹妹 手指妹妹

mèimei mèimei mèimei shǒuzhǐ mèimei

手指 手指 手指家庭

shǒuzhǐ shǒuzhǐ shǒuzhǐ jiātíng

手指宝宝 手指宝宝 你在哪儿

shǒuzhǐ bǎobǎo shǒuzhǐ bǎobǎo nǐ zài nǎr

我在这儿 我在这儿 你好吗

wǒ zài zhèr wǒ zài zhèr nǐ hǎo ma

宝宝 宝宝 宝宝 手指宝宝

bǎobǎo bǎobǎo bǎobǎo shǒuzhǐ bǎobǎo

手指 手指 手指家庭

shǒuzhǐ shǒuzhǐ shǒuzhǐ jiātíng

我有五根手指

wǒ yǒu wǔ gēn shǒuzhǐ

它们是我的手指家庭

tāmen shì wǒ de shǒuzhǐ jiātíng

English Translation

How many fingers do you have?

I have one, two, three, four, five

Five fingers!

Finger father, finger father, where are you?

Here I am, here I am, how are you?

Father, father, father, finger father

Finger, finger, finger family

Finger mother, finger mother, where are you?

Here I am, here I am, how are you?

Mother, mother, mother, finger mother

Finger, finger, finger family

Finger brother, finger brother, where are you? 

Here I am, here I am, how are you?

Brother, brother, brother, finger brother

Finger, finger, finger family

Finger sister, finger sister, where are you? 

Here I am, here I am, how are you?

Sister, sister, sister, finger sister

Finger, finger, finger family

Finger baby, finger baby, where are you?

Here I am, here I am, how are  you?

Baby, baby, baby, finger baby

Finger, finger, finger family

I have five fingers 

They are my finger family

6. Two Tigers

This song is another popular song that originated from a French melody. This nursery song is popular among children due to its easy and short lyrics that can be understood by kids. Here’s the Mandarin lyric, pinyin, and English translation for Two Tigers.

Chinese and Pinyin

两只老虎 两只老虎

liǎng zhī lǎohǔ liǎng zhī lǎohǔ

跑的快 跑的快

pǎo de kuài pǎo de kuài

ㄧ只没有耳朵

yī zhǐ méiyǒu ěrduǒ

一只没有尾巴

yī zhǐ méiyǒu wěibā

真奇怪 真奇怪

zhēn qíguài zhēn qíguài

English Translation

Two tigers, two tigers

Running fast, running fast

One has no ears

One has no tail

That’s so strange, that’s so strange

7. Hello Song

This song is suitable for kids who are just beginning to learn Mandarin. Through its familiar tune and easy to understand lyrics, kids can start learning how to greet other people in Mandarin by using this song. If you wish to teach your kids to learn how to greet people in Mandarin, here’s the Mandarin lyric, pinyin, and English translation for Hello Song. 

Chinese and Pinyin

你好 你好 你好吗？

nǐ hǎo nǐ hǎo nǐ hǎo ma?

早上好 早上好

zǎoshang hǎo zǎoshang hǎo

你好 你好 你好吗？

nǐ hǎo nǐ hǎo nǐ hǎo ma?

晚上好 晚上好

wǎnshàng hǎo wǎnshàng hǎo

English Translation

Hello, hello, how are you?

Good morning, good morning

Hello, hello, how are you?

Good evening, good evening

8. Morning Wash and Rinse Song

This cheerful nursery song is a great way to start learning Mandarin. With its repeated lyrics and tune, this song can also help kids learn to build great habits relating to morning routine. Here’s the Chinese lyrics, pinyin, and English translation for Morning Wash and Rinse Song. 

Chinese and Pinyin

早上起来洗洗脸

zǎoshang qǐlái xǐ xǐliǎn

洗洗脸 洗洗脸

xǐ xǐliǎn xǐ xǐliǎn

早上起来洗洗脸

zǎoshang qǐlái xǐ xǐliǎn

早上好

zǎoshang hǎo

早上起来梳梳头

zǎoshang qǐlái shū shūtóu

梳梳头 梳梳头

shū shūtóu shū shūtóu

早上起来梳梳头

zǎoshang qǐlái shū shūtóu

早上好

zǎoshang hǎo

早上起来刷刷牙

zǎoshang qǐlái shuā shuāyá

刷刷牙 刷刷牙

shuā shuāyá shuā shuāyá

早上起来刷刷牙

zǎoshang qǐlái shuā shuāyá

早上好

zǎoshang hǎo

早上起来穿衣服

zǎoshang qǐlái chuān yīfú

穿衣服 穿衣服

chuān yīfú chuān yīfú

早上起来穿衣服

zǎoshang qǐlái chuān yīfú

早上好

zǎoshang hǎo

English Translation

Get up in the morning and wash your face

Wash your face, wash your face

Get up in the morning and wash your face

Good morning

Get up in the morning and brush your hair

Brush your hair, comb your hair

Get up in the morning and comb your hair

Good morning 

Get up in the morning and brush your teeth

Brush your teeth, brush your teeth

Get up in the morning and brush your teeth

Good morning

Get up in the morning and put on clothes

Put on clothes, put on clothes

Get up in the morning and put on clothes

Good morning 

9. A Little Pug

This nursery rhyme is another popular Chinese song that kids can learn to understand simple Mandarin vocabulary. A little Pug can be great for children who are planning to learn more about animals in Mandarin. Here’s the Mandarin lyrics, pinyin, and English translation for A Little Pug. 

Chinese and Pinyin

一只哈巴狗

yī zhǐ hǎbāgǒu

坐在大门口

zuò zài dà ménkǒu

眼睛黑黝黝

yǎnjīng hēiyǒuyǒu

想吃肉骨头

xiǎng chī ròu gǔtou

一只哈巴狗

yī zhǐ hǎbāgǒu

吃完肉骨头

chī wán ròu gǔtou

尾巴摇一摇

wěibā yáo yī yáo

向我点点头

xiàng wǒ diǎndiǎn tóu

English Translation

A little pug

Sitting at the gate 

With black eyes

It wants a meat bone 

A little pug

After eating meat bones

Shakes its tail

And nods to me

10. Pulling Radish Song

This song is a short and simple nursery rhyme about pulling out a radish. This song features shorter lyrics compared to other Mandarin nursery songs. With several versions available, this song has repetitive lyrics meant to help kids retain their memories better. Here’s the Mandarin lyrics, pinyin, and English translation for Pulling Radish Song.

Chinese and Pinyin

拔萝卜 拔萝卜

bá luóbo bá luóbo

嗨吆嗨吆 拔萝卜

hāi yāo hāi yāo bá luóbo

嗨吆嗨吆 拔不动

hāi yāo hāi yāo, bá bù dòng

老太婆 快快来

lǎotàipó kuài kuài lái

快来帮我们拔萝卜

Kuài lái bāng wǒmen bá luóbo

English Translation

Pulling the radish, pulling the radish

Heave-ho, heave-ho, pulling the radish

Heave-ho, heave-ho, can’t pull it up

Old lady, hurry and come

Come quickly to help us pull the radish

Nursery songs are often recommended for kids who have just learned Mandarin. With repetitive lyrics and familiar tunes, this method can help provide a fun learning experience to avoid your kids from boredom. Enroll your kids in Mandarin courses with Elitekid and provide them with an engaging learning experience that focuses on using Mandarin nursery songs to improve understanding. Learn more about how Elitekid can help provide a fun learning experience to kids by visiting our site.