Simple Daily Habits to Boost Your Child’s Chinese Language Skills

Easy Ways to Add Chinese to Everyday Routines

In our household, we try the One Parent One Language (OPOL) strategy, but sometimes it can be a lot. I'm responsible for all of the Chinese in the household and sometimes it can feel like a burden! But remember that teaching and learning Chinese don't have to feel like a chore! The earlier you start the better, but it's never too late to weave Chinese into your child's daily routine, even if you’re not fluent yourself.

Here are simple and practical ways to incorporate Chinese into daily routines using common phrases.

Chinese Phrases for Morning Routine with Child

Every morning, I greet my daughter with: "早上好！昨天晚上睡得好吗？" (Zǎoshang hǎo! Zuótiān wǎnshàng shuì de hǎo ma?) Good morning! Did you sleep well last night?

As I get her ready for the day, I narrate my actions in Chinese:

• 妈妈给你脱掉睡袋 (Māma gěi nǐ tuō diào shuìdài) – Mommy is taking off your sleep sack.
• 妈妈给你脱掉睡衣 (Māma gěi nǐ tuō diào shuìyī) – Mommy is taking off your pajamas.
• 妈妈给你换尿布 (Māma gěi nǐ huàn niàobù) – Mommy is changing your diaper.
• 妈妈给你梳头发 (Māma gěi nǐ shū tóufà) – Mommy is combing your hair.
• 我们来穿衣服 (Wǒmen lái chuān yīfú) – Let’s put on clothes.
  

Then, it's time for breakfast! Some common phrases I use:

• "喝一杯牛奶吧！" (Hē yì bēi niúnǎi ba!) – Let’s have a cup of milk!
• "今天吃麦片和香蕉。" (Jīntiān chī màipiàn hé xiāngjiāo.) – Today, we’re having oatmeal with bananas.
• "你想吃华夫饼吗？" (Nǐ xiǎng chī huáfū bǐng ma?) – Do you want a waffle?

Chinese Phrases for Daycare and School

If I am dropping off my daughter at daycare, I'll use the following phrases:

• "我们要去上学了。" (Wǒmen yào qù shàngxué le.) – We’re going to school now.
• "我们带上你的书包吧。" (Wǒmen dài shàng nǐ de shūbāo ba.) – Let’s bring your school bag.
• "我们到学校了！" (Wǒmen dào xuéxiào le!) – We’ve arrived at school!
• "祝你在学校玩得开心！" (Zhù nǐ zài xuéxiào wán de kāixīn!) – Have fun at school!
• "跟妈妈说再见！" (Gēn māma/bàba shuō zàijiàn!) – Say goodbye to mommy!

Chinese Phrases for Daycare and School Pickup

When I pick my daughter up from daycare, I'll use the following phrases and questions, even if I don't expect an answer back!

• "我们回家啦！" (Wǒmen huí jiā la!) – We are going home now!
• "妈妈好高兴见到你，我们回家吧！" (Māma hǎo gāoxìng jiàndào nǐ, wǒmen huí jiā ba!) – Mommy is so excited to see you and go home!
• "你今天在学校玩得开心吗？" (Nǐ jīntiān zài xuéxiào wán de kāixīn ma?) – Did you have fun at school today?

Chinese Phrases for Dinner Time

Dinner is another great time to expose kids to Chinese and to particular foods:

• "我们来洗洗手吧。" (Wǒmen lái xǐ xǐ shǒu ba!) – Let’s clean your hands.
• "我们现在吃晚饭。" (Wǒmen xiànzài chī wǎnfàn.) – We are eating dinner now.
• "我来给你围上围兜。" (Wǒ lái gěi nǐ wéi shàng wéidōu.) – I am putting a bib on you.
• "你吃饱了吗？" (Nǐ chī bǎo le ma?) – Are you all done eating?
• "你想吃点水果吗？" (Nǐ xiǎng chī diǎn shuǐguǒ ma?) – Would you like some fruit?

Fun fact, one of my daughter's first words was 橘子🍊 (orange) - she's actually only ever had Cara Cara oranges and I'm a bit intimidated to introduce her to a regular orange since they're not as sweet!

Chinese Phrases for Child's Bedtime

My husband generally does bedtime but if I'm around, I'll also use the following phrases:

• "洗澡时间到了。" (Xǐzǎo shíjiān dào le.) – Time for a bath.
• "我们换上睡衣吧。" (Wǒmen huàn shàng shuìyī ba.) – Let’s change into pajamas.
• "我们该睡觉了。" (Wǒmen gāi shuìjiào le.) – Let’s go to sleep.
• "晚安！" (Wǎn’ān!) – Good night!
• "做个好梦！" (Zuò gè hǎo mèng!) – Have sweet dreams!

Making Chinese a Natural Part of Daily Life

Using Chinese throughout daily routines helps children absorb the language naturally, without making it feel like a structured lesson. Even if you’re not fluent, simple phrases and repetition can make a big difference - I know my daughter has heard some of these phrases a couple hundred times now and she's starting to repeat some words back to me!

What are some Chinese phrases you use with your child throughout the day? Let me know in the comments! 😊