Search - Early Start Mandarin Chinese with Bao Bei the Panda, Volume 2: Numbers and Fruits on DVD

Better than nothing

C. Unruh | Ventura, Ca. | 07/13/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This product leaves a lot to be desired. Too much English being spoken is my main gripe. I would like to know if these people have any experience teaching a language because there is no reason to give a small child TRANSLATION, which is what they do most of the time. "Ni hao - that's how you say hello in Chinese" is unnecessary to a small child, just show children greeting each other and the viewer in context and saying Ni hao. That's how YOU learned to say hello. Also they waste about 5-10% of the very short DVD with some really repetitive piano music with no talking at all. Sometimes they just shift the scene so you have no idea how it relates to anything. I could go on and on but it's true that kids will watch it, because they use colors, kids and a puppet - all things kids like. But it's way too sparse. It's too bad they wasted a great opportunity with such a below average product - BUT it's better than nothing and there's not much out there so if you have extra money just buy it. But people should stop saying this is a great product. Please."

Love these DVDs!!

Pauline "Mother of Two" | Los Angeles, CA | 07/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a Chinese American while my husband is Caucasian. Although we speak English at home, we really want our daughters to be able to speak Mandarin as well. The Bao Bei DVDs have been great and definitely a hit in our home. My almost 3 year old is always asking to watch Bao Bei and my 10 month old is fascinated by the colors and characters in the DVDs.

What's most fascinating is that my almost 3 year old now can name all the colors as well as count in Mandarin. If you are a parent and want your kids exposed to and learn Mandarin Chinese, definitely get all the Bao Bei DVD series!"