Easy Steps to Chinese for Kids is a series of Chinese textbooks specifically designed for kids from non-Chinese backgrounds. It covers four levels, each of which is made up of two volumes: A and B (each with a CD). This series has four characters in it, namely Ding Yi, Tian Li, Jingjing and Lele, who are primary school students from China and abroad. Beautifully designed illustrations, simple sentences and dialogues and lovely songs among other means are adopted to develop the kids' interest in learning Chinese and help them lay a solid Chinese foundation by mastering such fundamental Chinese knowledge as numbers, basic strokes, self-introduction and daily expressions. Chinese culture is introduced on the last two pages of each volume together with some color stickers for practice. Each volume comes with a CD with all the lessons and songs on it.

This is Volume 1A in the series, with altogether 7 lessons encompassing such topics as numbers, greetings, names, ages and classes, etc. It can be used in the first semester of Year 1 at primary school.

Introduction:
◇ The primary goal of this series Easy Steps to Chinese for Kids is to help total beginners, particularly non-Chinese background children, build a solid foundation for learning Chinese as a foreign language.
◇ The series is designed to emphasize the development of communication skills in listening and speaking. Recognizing and writing characters are also the focus of this series.
◇ Each lesson has a song using all the new words and sentences, and Chinese culture is introduced in a fun way.
◇ Easy Steps to Chinese for Kids consists of 8 color books, which cover 4 levels. Each level is made up of 2 books (a and b).

The features of this series:
◇ Development of skills in listening and speaking
◇ Characters taught in a step-by-step fashion
◇ Motor skills cultivated through various activities
◇ Development of cognitive, logical and imaginative skills
◇ Chinese songs in aid of speaking skills
◇ A variety of activities, games and worksheets
◇ Controlled pace for gradual progress
◇ Fun and effective way to learn Chinese

The series includes:
◇ Textbook with a CD
◇ Picture flashcards
◇ Word cards
◇ CD-ROM

CONTENTS
Lesson 1 Numbers (1)
Lesson 2 Numbers (2)
Lesson 3 Numbers (3)
Lesson 4 Hello!
Lesson 5 Thank you!
Lesson 6 What's your name?
Lesson 7 I'm 5 years old
Chinese Culture
Vocabulary

About the authors:
◇ Ms. Yamin Ma has an M.Ed. in Curriculum Design and Development from Queen's University, Canada.
◇ Ms. Xinying Li holds a postgraduate diploma in Applied Linguistics from Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
◇ Both authors have teaching experience in China and abroad, and are currently teaching Chinese in an international school in Hong Kong.

◇ Ms. Yamin Ma has an M.Ed. in Curriculum Design and Development from Queen's University, Canada. ◇ Ms. Xinying Li holds a postgraduate diploma in Applied Linguistics from Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. ◇ Both authors have teaching experience in China and abroad, and are currently teaching Chinese in an international school in Hong Kong.