I never dreamed I would be sharing my Chinese teaching materials.  Over 500 Chinese Theme Packs sold in the past three years. All to families and educators throughout the world.

In this blog post, I will explain how theme-based learning works. Why it is ideal to use Chinese theme packs for learning Chinese.  And I will also show every single page of my favorite theme pack, Colors.

I hope it will elevate and expand your children’s interest in learning Chinese at home.

The post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you. If you make a purchase through a link. See the Disclosure for more details.

Scroll down to the bottom to look at the freebies.

Why did I create Chinese Theme Packs?

She went to a private local Hong Kong preschool for half a semester. I noticed how difficult and complex the Chinese curriculum was. Everything they taught was too advanced. The way its teaching method was also too robotic for my half Chinese half American daughter. It didn’t fit her needs, abilities, or our ideal learning style.

I didn’t want my daughter to have an education like me. Sitting down at a desk all day and long listening lectures.  Then having to memorize, not learn, EVERYTHING to pass exams and tests. There was no thinking, creating, or room to explore.

So, I created Chinese Theme Packs.

• I wanted something fun and simple. It had to be easy and hands-on too.

• I wanted to cover all the basics like math and literacy skills with games that young kids would love.

• It needed to be bright and colorful with beautiful Asian-style clipart and pictures. Making a good impression while they learn from flashcards, games, and worksheets.

• It had to be easy for busy parents to prepare and affordable. I wanted to make accessible for everyone. So even non-fluent parents would be able to support their kids learning Chinese.

Whether teaching Mandarin or Cantonese, using Traditional or Simplified Chinese its all covered.

Chinese Theme Packs come with pinyin, Zhuyin, Jyutping, or English.

Before seeing a Chinese Theme Pack, let’s learn about theme-based education. Also, know as a thematic approach.

What is a Theme-based Approach?

“A thematic approach to teaching involves integrating all subject areas under one theme. It crosses over subject lines and helps children relate basic academic skills to real-world ideas.” (Classroom)

Start by picking a theme/topic for kids to explore. Then, learn different subjects and skills which fit within the theme. Then,  encourage kids to study and learn. Include in-depth reading, writing, math, science, social studies, and other subject areas.

A thematic unit is much broader than a single topic. It’s common to cover a wide range of topics. Such as mammals, the solar system, cultural festivals, shapes, community helpers. It can even be based around popular children’s classic stories.

Many teachers/homeschooling parents have a different theme each week. Others may plan theirs to last 1-2 months.

Why theme-based learning is important?

Research shows thematic units help young children achieve higher levels of learning.

Theme-based approach:

• It helps kids make connections about what they learn in the real world.

• Provides more opportunities for kids to explore in-depth

• Engages the whole brain while learning through hands-on involvement

• Incorporates reading, math, science, social studies, art, etc. in a more functional way

• Provides a well-balanced curriculum and learning

• Saves time because it connects all subjects

• Creates an environment that encourages kids to learn, explore, and discover the world

• Allow educators to be a facilitator of children’s’ learning but not a provider

• Allows greater flexibility and freedom

• Teaches kids how to learn and find knowledge on their own

What is an example of a theme-based lesson plan?

A theme around bugs could include the investigation of bugs in your yard or park. It would include reading books about different kinds of bugs. Watching videos about their life-cycle.  Learning about the similarities and differences between all kinds of bugs. Solving word problems on how long they live. Drawing the ideal environment for different bugs. Writing a paragraph/poem/story about one of these bugs. Making up a bug dance or going bug hunting. Finding and raising them.  Pretending to be a dragonfly and imaging how it lives.

The list could go on and go on.

How do you start teaching kids with themes?

1. Decide what theme to teach

2. Set up your homeschooling environment/classroom

3. Set up displays, model and props (involve the kids in the planning and set up)

4. Plan different activities across different subjects

5. Evaluate your kids by observing their work. Record their learning progress. Ask them questions to understand how they feel about them.

How do you teach Chinese with themes?

The 1st week I taught my kids in English so they would understand the context and background. I then repeated in Cantonese during the 2nd week. I focused on teaching Chinese and culture.

Then, in the 3rdweek, I added different subjects and activities. We covered science, arts & crafts, STEM, dances, and songs, projects, etc…

Pros & cons of the Chinese Theme Packs

• Easy to use

• Low Preparation

• Reusable

• Chinese literacy & math skills included

• Hands-on active participation and involved learning

• Fun and engaging with games

• With 9 language versions

Cons

Here are all 13 Chinese Theme Packs that I have created

Chinese New Year 中國新年/ 中国新年

Spring 春天

Easter 復活節/复活节

Dragon Boat Festival 端午節/端午节

Summer 夏天

School 上學去/上学去

Mid-Autumn Festival 中秋節/中秋节

Halloween 萬聖節/万圣节

Christmas 聖誕節/圣诞节

Body 身體/身体

Colors 顏色/颜色

Manners 打招呼

Family 家庭

Don’t worry, I am going to make more covering different topics in the future.

It’ll be even better if you leave a comment below and let me know which topic(s)/theme(s) you would like next.

What is in each Theme Pack?

Chinese theme packs’ Content:

• Matching Games
• Penmanship practice sheets
• Matching Activities
• Word Puzzles
• Sorting exercises
• Vocab Clip Cards
• Chinese Number Clip Cards
• Puzzles
• Color Matching
• Shapes Tracing
• Roll & Count Game
• Size Sorting
• Writing Numbers
• Size Sequencing
• Patterns
• Addition
• Subtraction
• Coloring pages

What Language Versions do you have for each Chinese Theme Pack?

There is nine language version, they are:

• English only
• English with Traditional Chinese
• English with Simplified Chinese
• Traditional Chinese
• Traditional Chinese with Jyutping
• Traditional Chinese with Pinyin
• Traditional Chinese with Zhuyin
• Simplified Chinese
• Simplified Chinese with Pinyin

Which Language Version is Best for me?

If you do not know any Chinese yourself and want to teach your kids Mandarin Chinese

Use English with Traditional/Simplified Chinese, or Traditional Chinese/Simplified Chinese with Pinyin. This will help you with pronunciations and Chinese characters.

If you do not know any Chinese yourself and want to teach your kids Cantonese

I would suggest you use Traditional Chinese with Jyutping.  It has pronunciations and Chinese characters.

If you know basic Chinese yourself and want to teach your kids Chinese

Use Traditional/Simplified Chinese with or without any romanization.

If you are fluent in Chinese yourself and want to teach your kids Chinese

Use Traditional Chinese/Simplified Chinese. If you want to teach your kids pinyin, then get the version with pinyin as well.

Need help with figuring out which Chinese and Chinese characters to teach? Here is a blog post to help you with that.

If you are struggling to find the best version for you and your kids, feel free to send me an email to chat with me.

Let’s look at the Colors Theme Pack
in Action!

Table of Content

Matching Game

There are 2 levels of matching game with two different types of flashcards.

Penmanship

There are 3 levels of penmanship worksheet

Group the Right Colors

Children can group the right color with cutting and pasting skills.

Matching Activities

Matching the right color picture to the correct picture or Chinese characters

Word Puzzles

By following the shape of each puzzle, kids can guess the object and learn the Chinese character.

Vocab & Number Clip Cards

Use cloth pins, stickers, even their little fingers to choose the answer from each card.

Puzzles

It’s a fun way to put the picture together along with Chinese characters.

Size Sequencing

Children can learn about size sequencing. Arranging the biggest to the smallest cards.

Shapes Tracing

Trace with each shape and to learn about shapes.

Roll & Count

How to Play

1. Cut out and make the dice

2. Roll the dice. Look at the legend on the next page and find how many stamps picture is worth.

3. Stamp the correct number of boxes and write the Chinese numbers in the box above.

4. Players each roll the dice five times. Taking turns.

5. Write the total number on the bottom along with their name. The player with the most stamps wins!

Take turns rolling the dice, and place a stamp in the appropriate box. See which body part gets 10 stamps first

Writing Numbers

Trace the Chinese word next to each picture. Then, draw lines to connect the numbers in order from the smallest number to the biggest number.

It’s kind of like a dot-to-dot but in Chinese.

Which One is Different?

Find the difference and circle the answer.

Patterns

Keep the pattern going by cutting and pasting the correct item.

Maze

Color, put stickers on, or stamp the path starting at 1 and ending at 10.

Addition & Subtraction

Coloring Pages

Trace the Chinese characters and English, then color the pictures.

What do you think about this theme pack?

 What’s your favorite? 

Any other games/skills can I add to the pack?

How Do I Organize each pack?

All the small little pieces go into a sandwich bag.

Then, worksheets, flashcards, game pieces, Chinese children’s books, and Chinese Vocab Poster, all go into a big folder. It organized by theme.

I can easily get the whole set do it whenever I need it.

The Result of My Kids using the Chinese Theme

To me, I can reuse the Chinese Theme Packs that make it so much more valuable.

And now, my two older kids (ages 9 & 7) have a good foundation of the Chinese culture. They love it and want to keep learning Chinese. I’m so glad I made Chinese Theme Packs. They have helped provide a fun learning experience. They also make preparing all the materials quick and easy. Theme packs ignited the fire and passion for learning Chinese in my kids.

They are ready and excited for the next level.

Let’s Hear How the Chinese Theme Packs Bless Other Families

Detail Reviews from Other Bloggers and Parents

You could be the next one

The Chinese Theme Packs are right for you, if …

•  Your kids are from age 3-7

• You are a busy parent who needs materials which are easy and are low prep

• You desire to provide fun and positive Chinese learning experiences for kids

•  You want to teach kids basic Chinese literacy and math skills

• You need more resources to teach the Chinese culture & different topics

• You want the flexibility to create custom lesson plans and activities.

• You want quality resources to guide the way

Chinese Theme Packs have helped me in so many ways.  I can keep teaching all four of my kids Chinese at home. If not for the thematic approach, I couldn’t keep it up.  There are too many responsibilities as a homeschooling mom. They have simplified my life.

I hope by sharing it will help you start teaching your kids Chinese. It will help them to feel interested and they will have fun learning Chinese. If you are a busy parent it will make your life easy.

Try the Free Chinese Theme Pack Samples! 

I have included 4 free samples in my Chinese Resource Library for you to try.

Sign up below for FREE

P.S. You’ll also receive other exclusive resources and printables from me.

You can buy each Chinese Theme Pack HERE

or

SAVE BIG with the BUNDLES HERE!

I have also created Chinese Children books to go along with the Chinese Theme Packs.

Have you tried the Theme-based approach? How’s your experience?

Let me know in the comment what other Theme would you like me to create in the future.

Feel free to tag me @fortunecookiemom when your child is working on any of the Chinese Theme Packs, I’d love to share the your joy with you too.

You Might be Interested

Homeschooling/ Teaching Chinese at Home Tips

• How to Start Teaching Chinese at Home
• An Interview about My Homeschooling life in Hong Kong
• How to Write a Year-Long Bilingual Homeschooling Plan (Series of Blog Posts)
• How to Create a Language Rich Environment to Learn Chinese at Home
• How I Motivate my Children Reading in Cantonese and English
• Writing Chinese Characters: 10 tips for teaching young children how to write Chinese characters
• Ten Best Activities You Can Do as a Family to Enhance Chinese Learning
• Homeschooling in Hong Kong: The Fortune Cookie Mom from Honey! I’m Homeschooling My Kids

Chinese Printable & Resources

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar Chinese Printable
• Guess How Much I Love You Chinese Printable
• Easy Chinese New Year’s Rounded Lanterns to Make with Your Kids
• FREE Chinese & English Valentine’s Cards 
• Chinese & English Mother’s Day FREE Booklet
• Find even MORE at my Shop

You Are Not Doing it Alone

Join my Facebook support group to meet and get connections with parents and educators with the same goals.

After being a member, you can attend all the special LIVE training, events, and activities together.