High Maintenance Mom

Have you or your children learned any Spanish words from Dora or Diego? Do you want your children to hear Chinese words too? Ni Hao, Kai-lan is a new show from Nick Jr. that combines Chinese language and culture. "Ni Hao" means "Hi" in Chinese, so we've already learned one word. The show is aimed at preschool children and the characters include six year-old Kai-lan Chow, her grandfather, a koala, a monkey, and a tiger. See below for more information on the values the show aims to teach including mind-body connection, perspective-taking, being a good member of a group, and social & emotional goals. Ni Hao, Kai-lan premieres on Nick Jr. Thursday, February 7 at 11 a.m.

(Ni Hao, Kai-lan) celebrates growing up in an intergenerational family, having friends from diverse backgrounds, and "habits of the heart" that are Chinese American. These values include:

Mind-body connection Typically, television portrays excitement as the good emotion to feel. In many Chinese-American communities, the good thing to feel is often calmness and contentment. Feeling excited and feeling calm can both be happy feelings, but they differ in how aroused the body is.

Perspective-taking In many Chinese and other East Asian families, children are encouraged to take the perspective of others to maintain harmony in relationships with other people.

Being a good member of the group Ni Hao, Kai-lan also emphasizes the Chinese and Chinese American value of being a good member of a group.

Social & Emotional Goals Highlight cause-and-effect thinking about social and emotional issues germane to preschoolers and to support preschooler's social and emotional development. (from About Ni Hao, Kai-lan)