Mandarin speaking playgroup?

[Zee]

Does anyone know of any mandarin speaking playgroup that does not cost a bomb? Am looking around for one that costs HK$500 or less per month.

My 2 year old is picking up English words at a much faster rate than her Mandarin. Probably because we use more English at home. My Mandarin is "so-so" but I am not able to read it. My hubby speaks good Mandarin but his time at home is limited. Since my daughter loves books, I tried reading books with very simple Chinese words and ended up worrying if my pronunciation was correct:}:}

I am trying to provide a bi-lingual environment for my daughter. A Mandarin speaking playgroup should be a fun way to help her appreciate the language. Will appreciate if anyone could help out here.

 

[momo]

My 2.5 yr old son goes to the Montessori Mandarin playgroup twice a week (2 hours each). Even though I speak exclusively Mandarin to him, like your daughter, he is also picking up English quicker. This is probably due to the fact that my husband and the maid speaks to him in English and the medium used at home is also English. I am the only one who speaks Mandarin to him at home. I am also looking around to see if there are any Mandarin speaking playgroup for him. Does your daughter go to any play school ?

 

[Zee]

My daughter is in the hkppa playgroup. She keeps asking for her Kindermusik class which just ended its first term. I intend to sign her up for the next 2 terms. Besides these, she is also in a gym class. Another Mandarin speaking playgroup will be just nice to keep both of us busy for the week.

Just out of curiosity, how much does the Montessori playgroup cost?

 

[momo]

Montessori is $2,500 per month for twice weekly sessions. Which gym class is your daughter in? You can send me an email at [email protected] to let me know details of the gym class. My son might be interested in this.

 

[val]

Playgroups

Zee, I'm one of the mom from bk. My maid and I also speak English to my 1yr old girl. I would like my daughter to live in a trilingual - English, Cantonese and Mandarin environment.

Right now, my daughter only goes to HKPPA hilltots. Which campus do you go to?
I'm also considering Kindermusic, Music Together or MyMusikbox. Any recommendation?
I heard that www.betterchinese.com offer Mandarin class. But I find it too expensive. Not sure if I could find a few more age 1-2 children and form a private session in HK side. Will you be interested during weekdays?


Momo, for gym class, you may consider Gymboree, Gymbaroo, ChildzPlay or MyGym.

 

[Zee]

Hi Val

I take my daughter to the playgroup at Heng Fa Chuen. Did not realize Hilltots have playgroups too. Do you know anything about the Fun with Numbers classes at Hilltots?

Do know know much about the other two music classes. As for Kindermusik, my daughter keeps asking for it. I was a bit worried at first as she was not as participative as the other toddlers. She likes the songs and enjoys the activities in the class so much that we play the CDs at home everyday. Heng Fa Chuen has a music class run by Go Music on Sats. The teachers speak Cantonese and the materials and songs are in Mandarin (from Taiwan). Call Linda/Faye at 23931383 if you are interested . They use the Carl-Orf approach. Too bad I cannot read Chinese, otherwise, I will consider this.

Yeah, I have checked out www.betterchinese.com. Their prices just turned me off.

Yes, I will be very interested in a private playgroup. I prefer weekdays too. I live in Sheung Wan. Where/What is bk?

 

[val]

I will start the playgroup at Hilltots next week. So not familiar with Fun with Numbers classes.

Mymusikbox cost 1840 per 8 session. It's more expensive compare to Kindermusik. And Kindermusik also offers at Art Plus(Tin Hau) and Little Dynamic(Causeway Bay). So not sure which class to take.

But I prefer English class during weekdays. So probably not the one at Heng Fa Chuen.

By the way, bk means baby kingdom. I thought I see you there. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Zee]

Of course! How duh can I be??? I was so desperate for information on mandarin speaking playgroup that I went into several chinese websites which I had no clue what most of the topics/forums were}:} Baby Kingdom had several threads on playgroup. So, I got my dearest hubby to help me signed up.

My daughter had her Kindermusik class at YWCA. It cost $960 per term (8 sessions) excluding home materials ($250). YWCA's summer schedule is out but not updated in their website yet. If you are interested, call them at 3476 1340. Oh, you have to join as a YWCA member to take join their courses. It's $200 per term or $500 per year.

Art Plus has a summer programme called Toddler EQ Pre-School. The course description mentioned "Mandarin fun and ....". I think I am going to give them a call over the next 2 days.

 

[momo]

Zee, what is the telephone number of Art Plus ?

Val, do you know anyone who has attended either ChizPlay or My Gym and any comments on either one ? I have tried Gymboroo with my son when he was much younger but did not find it to be particularly interesting. Also has anyone heard anything about Panda Junction at Lippo Centre ?

 

[val]

momo, I had a trial class at gymboree and childzplay. Childzplay has a smaller group ... so more focus. But the facilities in gymboree is better. But my girl was only 11mth at that time. I think it's better if I join the gym class when she can run. In the mean time, I just take her to the park.

My friends prefers gymbaroo or myGym. But they are both in Central. If your child is over 2, I'd recommend myGym. The facilities is good and spacious.