A new demographic for Cpod!
scottyb
January 26, 2008, 01:55 PM posted in General DiscussionCpoddies with kids may be familiar with Dora the Explorer, a wildly popular kids show designed to introduce pre-schoolers to the Spanish language (with a good bit culture as well). Now, beginning in February, Nickelodeon is going to introduce US kids to 普通话 and Chinese culture with a show called Ni hao, Kai Lan. It will be interesting to see how successful it is.
Chinesepod, you’re on notice! Get ready for a flood of new subscribers in the 2-5 year-old range. We poddies should apply our collective intellect to helping Cpod design some pre-K promotions. Perhaps they should start marketing Cpod blankies and pacifiers. I can see it now, next to the Cpod thong – Cpod pull-ups and diapers.
scottyb
January 27, 2008, 01:04 PMThere have been whispers about the show for a few months now, but they didn't begin advertising in earnest until very recently. It helps to hear about it if your mornings are already filled with Dora and Pinky Dinky Doo.
lordstanley
January 27, 2008, 04:15 PMI'm going to ask my wife who she thinks would win if my toddler daughter and I played each other in a Mandarin comprehension version of "Are You Smarter Than A Two Year Old?".
wei1xiao4
January 28, 2008, 12:33 AMThis will be a huge market in the US. But the stores that specialize in learning materials are not up to speed yet for young children learning Mandarin. Last summer my son taught English to 5 year olds in Xi'an. We were looking for teaching aids in Mandarin/English. Lots in Spanish, so I'm sure Mandarin will not be far behind.
lustchina
January 28, 2008, 12:43 AMI think western kids will tend towards the language that is most effective in getting what they need/want done - like getting their diaper changed or getting fed. For westerners chinese is the reserve of self-actualizing adults and the handful who need it for day to day living and guanxi.
xiaohu
January 27, 2008, 02:51 AMWOW! Now this is cool! How is it I didn't hear about this before? Just more proof positive of how important Mandarin Chinese is becomming on the world stage.