Bao Bei Reading Wonderland

[Fledgeling]

My daughter is 3 years 3 months old and I'm thinking of enrolling her into Bao Bei Reading Wonderland (USJ Taipan) to learn Mandarin. We speak English at home and her understanding of Mandarin is limited to a few words like 'xie xie'

So far, she's gone for 3 trial lessons and seems to enjoy it. The teachers teach using songs, dance, storybooks and flashcards. However, the fees are pretty steep at between RM275 to RM380 per month (depending on number of times a week).

Does anyone have feedback on their kids' experience with Bao Bei?

Specific questions that I have:
(1) How effective is Bao Bei in teaching Mandarin reading/writing skills (my knowledge of Mandarin is very limited and so I will not be able to help my daughter at all)

(2) Do these classes help prepare young children for Chinese primary school?

(3) Is it flexible i.e. do they allow us to switch time/days if we cannot make it at times? What if I go on holiday for a week? Can we make up for it by attending more classes the following week?

All sharing would be much appreciated before I take the plunge and pay the registration fees + misc fees amounting to a few hundred ringgit.

[sydneymak]

well, there are another choice other than bao bei. what about learning chinese and train to open right brain at the same time. as far as i know bao bei using right brain to learn reading, not developing right brain (reading chinese word itself is actually learning thru right brain because chinese word is like a picture, unlike english phonics).

[jimijamison]

Is she going to kinder-garden/nursery school yet?

Why don't you consolidate and send her to one with...(yes, believe it or not) low teacher student ratio without having to pay (yes, believe it or not again) an arm and a leg.

I believe that most kinder-gardens have a mixed program that includes Mandarin several times per week (depends on whether you take 1/2 school or full day school).

Who do I recommend?

1. Ladybird
2. Nemo

Rates are between RM250-RM 300 (1/2 session).

There are many others - you just have to take time to find one that is suitable.

Caution and Warning:- NOT ALL KINDERGARDENS ARE ORGANIZED SYSTEMATICAL, especially the more expensive ones (believe it or not!).