It is a child's nature to love watching cartoons, so can watching original cartoons help children learn English? sure! However, you have to find the right cartoon.
But, with so many original cartoons, how to choose?
For example: Which cartoons are suitable for children of different ages, which ones are suitable for children who want to learn American or British pronunciation, and where can I find resources?
First of all, we need to understand what kind of animation is suitable for English enlightenment?
What kind of animation is suitable for English enlightenment?
The current original English cartoons can be roughly divided into three categories:
The first category is the plot category, represented by Maisy (mouse Bobo), Peppa pig (Little Pig Peppa Pig), and (Caillou).
The second category is the knowledge category, which aims to convey knowledge such as spelling and mathematics, and basically has no plot, such as "" (Alphabet Building Blocks)" produced by the BBC.
The third category is based on knowledge, but also has a bit of plot, such as "" (Magic School Bus).
So what kind of animation is most suitable for English enlightenment?
It is undoubtedly a drama animation. This kind of animation that is close to life is really a good language input material for children.
Because plot animations often revolve around family life and children's life, with rich life backgrounds, it is easy for children to understand when watching them. At the same time, it is also easy for parents and children to connect the animations they watch with real life, and integrate English into English. Apply to practice.
Before watching the original cartoon,
Parents should be prepared for these
1. Control your time. Generally, about 30 minutes is appropriate, and for smaller babies, it is best to do it for about 10-15 minutes. This is not only to protect the child's eyes, but also to maintain the child's interest.
2. Watch it with your children. Choose original cartoons, generally those without Chinese subtitles. For many children, although the focus is mostly on the characters and expressions, in order to truly understand the plot, there may still be times when they are unable to understand because of a lack of vocabulary. Therefore, it is best to watch Baba Mommy with your children, so that you can observe the children's reactions. When the children do not understand, provide simple explanations in time to help the children understand the plot smoothly, so that the children will not be confused because they cannot understand. Generate resistance.
Moreover, after watching it, Mommy can also discuss the plot with her children (it is recommended to use English as much as possible). Maybe the children will have different feelings during the discussion, and they may want to watch it again to deepen their understanding.
Some parents may say, but my English is not good, how can I explain it to them? It is recommended that before showing it to your children, you can read it first to get a general understanding of the plot, vocabulary and sentence patterns involved, etc. This is not only a learning process for children, but also a good opportunity for parents to improve themselves.
If Mommy and her children can constantly review the wonderful dialogues in the plot and apply them in daily life, the children's learning will definitely get twice the result with half the effort.
3. Use the child’s interests as the main reference. Interest is the best teacher. You can find ways to stimulate children's interest, but never force it, otherwise it will be counterproductive.
How to choose original cartoons?
Having said so much, how should you choose the original cartoon?
Introductory English animations must meet the following conditions: short in length (about 5 minutes); repeated key content multiple times (conducive to children's memory in multiple scenes); and simple sentences.
Screamer recommends 16 English enlightenment animations based on age, difficulty, etc.
1. "Maisy"
Production area: UK
Suitable age: 2-5 years old
Duration: 5 minutes per episode
Adapted from the picture book of the same name by the famous British picture book writer Lucy, it tells a very simple story in a short time. The picture is close to life, the colors are low-key and gentle; there is very little dialogue, and the vocabulary used is very basic and practical; the cute image of the little mouse is very attractive to babies; the rhythm and speaking speed are moderate, so babies can keep up with the rhythm of the film and think.
The content of the cartoon is warm and interesting, full of creativity and joy. It also embodies the parents' educational philosophy for early childhood children and provides an infinitely extended space for imagination.
2. " " (little blue koala)
Production area: UK
Suitable age: 2-6 years old
Duration: 5 minutes per episode
BBC quality animation. The little koala is cute and confused, and has many wonderful and interesting things happening in his life around his friends, father, mother, grandpa, grandma and teachers. Following the cute little blue koala in the oil painting style, young children can develop good self-correction habits and independent and responsible character, so as to expand their learning space freely, confidently and independently.
The pronunciation is pure, the daily expressions are rich, and the cartoon characters are cute. The theme of each episode is very clear, and children will learn a lot of simple life terms and basic etiquette.
The biggest feature is that the picture moves very slowly, especially designed for babies. The sentences are very short and simple, the sentence structure is repeated (easier for children to remember), and the speaking speed is also very slow. It is suitable as an enlightenment teaching material for children around 2 years old.
3. "Peppa Pig"
Production area: UK
Suitable age: 3-8 years old
Duration: 5 minutes per episode
The famous Peppa Pig! ! It is no exaggeration to call it "the favorite of children around the world". I believe that many parents rely on Page to arouse their children's interest in English.
The dialogues are relatively simple and repetitive, the plot is warm and interesting, the daily life terms are rich, the selection of materials and content are very creative and imaginative, and you can also experience British daily life and Western culture.
The level of difficulty is one level higher than that of Mouse Bobo, with more vocabulary and faster speaking speed. Suitable for viewing from Maisy and entering the next level.
The biggest advantage is that the pure English pronunciation and word usage are accurate and authentic, and it is very close to children's daily life. It is definitely an excellent enlightenment textbook. Parents can take their children to imitate the games or actions in the program to cultivate their children's interest in English.
4. "" (Teletubbies)
Production area: UK
Suitable age: 1-5 years old
Duration: 30 minutes per episode
This is probably the shadow of many adults, but it is also the favorite of many children. Cartoons produced by the British BBC specifically for children aged 12 months to 5 years old are the BBC's well-deserved flagship program.
What may seem to adults to be funny and nonsensical actions, extremely childish lines, repetitive language, and plots that have nothing to do with them is actually the result of the BBC inviting child behavior experts to investigate the interest patterns of thousands of children and specifically target them. It is made with children's thinking in mind and is completely in line with the thinking characteristics of young babies. It is definitely suitable to be the first cartoon in your baby's life.
In addition, after the popularity of "Teletubbies", the original cast of the British BBC created another "Garden Baby" 10 years later, suitable for babies aged 1 to 4 years old.
Similar to "Teletubbies", the protagonists in the series all speak Martian language, just like a baby just starting to speak, mainly through various body language to let the audience understand. There is not much vocabulary, but it is very suitable for babies' psychology. It is especially suitable for younger babies. Babies over 1 year old also like to read it. Children who like "Teletubbies" must not miss "Garden Babies".
5. "Pig" (Webby the Pig)
Production area: UK
Suitable age: 2-5 years old
Duration: 10 minutes per episode
Produced by the BBC, the speaking speed is slightly faster and the difficulty is higher than that of Pink Piggy and Blue Koala, but the pictures are still very simple and the expressions are also very colloquial. The protagonist is an innocent, kind-hearted and fantasy-loving little pig, and there is also a small supporting character with a voice-over.
The plot setting is very interesting, and the cognitive guidance for children also emphasizes step-by-step: if you hold an umbrella on a rainy day, you will not get wet; if there are holes in the umbrella, it will leak; if a big fat man holds a small umbrella, it will not be enough; if a small man holds a big umbrella, it will not block the fire. The way forward; if there is a problem, use your brain to find a solution…
The biggest feature is that most of the lines are presented in a rap style – that is, piggy Webby talks to a voice of the narrator to promote the development of the plot. In terms of line setting, it is lively, brisk and catchy. Especially the repeated rap-like fragments in the middle can make children can't help but read along.
6. " " (little princess)
Production area: UK
Suitable age: 3-6 years old
Duration: 11 minutes per episode
The speaking speed is moderate; the sentences are simple, but the story content is very interesting. Both adults and children will enjoy reading it – because the sentences are simple, parents can also use them flexibly to talk to their children in a relaxed and interesting way; each story teaches the little princess a lesson about reading. A little truth that doesn’t seem so inconspicuous but is really helpful for growth.
The protagonist is not a little princess in the traditional sense. She is naughty, cute, confident, and sometimes likes to play pranks, which is in line with the unique characteristics of children of her age such as curiosity about the unknown, rebelliousness, and independence.
The biggest feature is that the picture is simple and clean. Some comments say that any screenshot can be used as wallpaper; the focus is always on the protagonist; the narration reflects the inner activities of the protagonist and promotes the development of the story.
7. "Dora the" (Dora the Explorer)
Production area: United States
Suitable age: 3-6 years old
Duration: 24 minutes per episode
This is a cartoon produced in the United States that teaches Hispanic children how to learn English. Dora and the little monkey Boots are always walking and having fun, encountering problems, eliminating obstacles, and achieving goals; the routines in each episode are very similar, teaching children English colors and shapes through adventures , number phrases, using riddles and questions to make children think and understand the use of maps, the importance of friendship, the use of tools, etc.
In Dora's World of Adventure, there are training to broaden the sense of visual space, ways to improve oral expression, ways to strengthen the sense of logical numbers and body movements, ways to improve music listening and communication skills, etc.
The biggest feature is that it is extremely interactive. Children will be addicted as soon as they watch it, and adults will be very involved after watching it. If you don’t believe me, try it?
8. " " (Sesame Street)
Production area: United States
Suitable age: 2-6 years old
Duration: 60 minutes per episode
The earliest children's program in the United States, created in 1969, is widely loved by American families. It is the most Emmy-winning children's program to date. The program uses a variety of expression techniques such as puppets, animation and real-life performances to teach children basic reading, arithmetic, names of colors, letters and numbers, etc., and sometimes also teaches some basic common sense of life, such as how to cross the road safely, Talk about the importance of hygiene, etc.
Children can start with the very basics of English, such as letters, colors and simple words.
Some cartoons that train logical thinking, mathematics, and popular science are more suitable for older children in terms of speed and content, and can be viewed as advanced levels.
9. "&" (Thomas and Friends)
Production area: UK
Suitable age: 3 years old+
Duration: 5 minutes per episode
An anthropomorphic blue steam train and a group of train friends with different personalities live on an island called "Duoduo". They are united, friendly and work enthusiastically. They pick up different passengers every day and many interesting things happen. , from which we realize the importance of fairness and friendship. Especially suitable for boys who like machines or engines.
Although it only lasts 5 minutes, the difficulty level is level 3, which is more suitable for older children. However, the little train has a unique shape, and children over 3 years old will be very interested in it regardless of whether they can understand it or not.
Similar cartoons include "Bob the" (Engineer Bob), which is suitable for ages 6-15. It is produced by the British BBC and has received the highest rating among British preschool education programs. Engineer Bob led the talking construction trucks to build many beautiful buildings in the city. Moreover, Bob is simply kind-hearted. When everyone troubles him again and again, he tries his best to help them.
10. "and Lola" (Charlie and Lola)
Production area: UK
Suitable age: 5-12 years old
Duration: 10 minutes per episode
The BBC's highest-rated children's program, it won the French International Film Festival's Best Preschool Animation Program Award and the British Animation Award for Best Preschool Series. Adapted from Lauren. Child's award-winning picture book, which has won the Greenaway Children's Book Award, the highest honor for British picture books.
The brother is very good at guiding his sister Lola, and the educational significance is integrated into the imaginative storyline, which is great. The speaking speed is moderate, the sentence structure is also moderate, and it is more difficult than Peppa Pig. It is more suitable for older children. You can watch this after Peppa Pig.
11. "Zoo Lane" (Animal Street)
Production area: UK
Suitable age: 5-12 years old
Duration: 10 minutes
The story in each episode is a small adventure. The scenes of the story cover five continents. Children can learn a lot about nature, earth's creatures and the environment while watching. It conveys not only happiness to children, but also full love for nature. Every episode is the best bedtime story ever!
Moderate speaking speed and difficulty level.
12. "Mouse" (Mickey's Wonderful House)
Production area: United States
Suitable age: 3-8 years old
Duration: 24 minutes per episode
A cartoon series produced to train preschool children's early development of mathematics and logical analysis, including: understanding shapes, scales, numbers, relationships, etc., like "Peppa Pig", it is a household name. The main characters are Mickey, Minnie, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, etc. Children can easily relate to them. The production is very detailed and the plot is fascinating. It is the first choice cartoon for children to cultivate mathematics and logic.
The biggest feature is that like Dora, it is very interactive. Each episode has a question and answer session, allowing children to participate.
13. "My Pony"
Production area: United States
Suitable age: 4-12 years old
Duration: 22 minutes per episode
This is a very popular cartoon in recent years, also translated into Chinese as "My Little Pony". The prototype is a toy developed by the American toy manufacturer Hasbro. The animation was originally designed for primary school girls, but after it was broadcast, it unexpectedly attracted older audiences. It is a cartoon that is loved by both children and adults.
The story tells that in order to carry out the task given to her by the mentor princess, Pony (translation: Twilight Sparkle) came to Pony Town with her assistant Spike to learn about the magic of friendship. In the process of studying and living, she met five good friends. Friends, and gained true friendship, protected Equestria with friends, and experienced the fragrance of friendship in extraordinary daily life.
The speaking speed is fast, and each one is a good life lesson. It is also a cartoon that is generally considered to have a correct outlook on life. The storyline and colors are very good and very suitable for English enlightenment.
14. "Team" (little brothers and sisters from Mathematics City)
Production area: United States
Suitable age: 4-12 years old
Duration: 20 minutes per episode
The cartoon is about a group of three people helping children complete a task, which is suitable for mathematics and logic enlightenment. The interactive question and answer format is somewhat similar to Dora the Explorer.
The highlight of this film is that the pictures are extremely beautiful and gorgeous, the music is amazing, and the life scenes are rich. Children will never tire of it. The pronunciation is accurate, and children are often asked to read along.
15. "bear" (genius baby bear)
Production area: United States
Suitable age: 4-12 years old
Duration: 8 minutes
The cartoon revolves around the cute and honest little bear family and its four animal friends: duck, hen, owl and cat. It presents many scenes in children's daily life. It is full of life, warm, relaxed and humorous.
The speaking speed is medium and slightly slow, and the pronunciation is clear. It is a good resource for cultivating children's listening ability in the early stage of enlightenment.
16. "The Magic Bus"
Production area: United States
Suitable age: 6-15 years old
Duration: 26 minutes per episode
Popular science animation, in a novel, lively, fun and easy-to-understand form, leads children to enter the vast scientific field and swim in earth science, biological science, space science, meteorology, paleontology and other disciplines. Suitable for middle-aged and older children who are interested in popular science.
The "Magic School Bus" series of books is an extracurricular science popular science book series recommended by the U.S. National Library to all preschoolers and elementary school students. It is also the most popular children's science book series in the United States and has won numerous awards.
Where can I view and download the resources?
Generally, these original cartoons can be watched online on video platforms such as iQiyi, Youku and Sohu, but most of them are pronounced in English and have Chinese subtitles.