. . . sounds similar to some of the stuff that was broadcast in the prehistoric days of my early years. Were we really so bad? Probably.

They could have at least picked a non-Canto name

Friends of mine who adopted a Chinese daughter really like this show. It seems like a kiddie show with a cute Chinese theme, instead of Dora the Explorer or Sesame Street's Spanish vocab. Learning about another culture is always good, especially for little ones, although I don't know if following the group is something I'd want to encourage.

So it's like Dora the Explorer, only Chinese?

Rock. Probably far less annoying too. Now that Nickelodeon has Ni Hao Kai-Lan AND the surprisingly entertaining Avatar (which, though written and produced in the U.S., features only Chinese writing, names, and spiritual concepts), might there be some looming wave of Chinese-flavored entertainment about to crash stateside?

I can only hope. Anything to displace Spongebob Squarepants.

I don't think encouraging being a good member of the group is a bad thing. We've got a bit of a cult of the individual in the West (especially places with "frontier" founding, such as the US and Australia) that, to my mind, can go a bit far.

Personally, I think the show should teach some Taoist values. Let's watch the little punks wrap their minds around THAT!

I think Kailan should teach what is really the most salient characteristic of Chinese culture: the overbearing impulse to tell everyone about Chinese culture.

why did the producers need to go and talk about the "happy feelings" caused by different levels of arousal in Kai-lan's not quite 6-year old body? You people are sick!

I think the producers were referring to non-sexual measures of arousal, like heart rate or brain activity.

Probably the folks pitching this notion were trying to dumb down their ideas about meditation so that a TV producer could paraphrase it. I wouldn't be surprised if the "arousal" term turned out to be a bad translation of a Buddhist idea about mental excitement that prevents meditation.

It's not the Buddhist Chinese I think that Americans will have tension with -- I think incorporating the Confucian ideal of obedience would be much harder.

It depends on whether they will go back to the source for Confucian morality. Confucius advocated reciprocal relationships, so only give loyalty to rulers who govern with morality. As far as moral systems go, you can do a lot worse.

Apparently, the CPC is struggling with whether to promote traditional Confucian moral systems due to the fact they are ruling by a rather Legalistic style.

I really don't want Western kids being taught Chinese values - except respect for old people - but then that value has been tossed aside in China too. I like most Chinese people but I don't often like the way they behave - materialistic, nationalistic, racist, pushy, and even more self-centered than the famously individualistic Westerners.

"materialistic, nationalistic, racist, pushy, and even more self-centered than the famously individualistic Westerners. "
That is a very realistic potrayal of modern urban chinese born after the 70s, though i personally have never been a racist or pushy person (thanks to England that taught me to queue for everything lol n my own experience of racism)
it seems that most chinese wud not take self-criticism fondly and most of us are too proud to see our own flaws.
I wonder, where all the old traces of civilisation that are often celebrated in Chinese history textbook have gone?
its good to learn about harmony, obedience n respect cuz i cant see any of that in kids any more, chinese or else

Ni Hao, Kai-lan is a play-along, think-along series that weaves together Chinese language and culture, preschool-relatable stories, and interactivity, with Kai-lan as your intimate friend and playmate!

intimate friend eh? I await the fanfics

You can buy Dora in Chinese at the Xinhua bookstore.
There are presently 9 of them. She speaks Putonghua
and teaches a little English to Chinese kids. It's just a new soundtrack to the US version, when she would be speaking English she speaks Mandarin and when she would be speaking Spanish, she speaks English. My kids like it and they are learning much more Chinese than with Kai-lan.

HEY i love that show!

yeye must symbolize the caring oversight and guidance towards correct thought provided by a certain all powerful political body.

I find it hilarious that you would find "following the crowd" as a bad thing. That is why all of your children will grow up to be narcissistic ignorant Americans, like you. Have a nice day.

well my daughter watches this show every day
and we both learn chines words
i really ENJOY this cartoon
and i am glad it is HERE hope it is here to STAY
i got a yr old now that is also sitting with us watching it and i hope she is picking up on the words too .. I LOVE THE LANGUAGE it is BEAUTIFUL
and also in the long run there is BIG MONEY WHEN YOU ARE NEEDED TO TRANSLATE if my girls decide to continue to learn more in school ..... I LOVE THIS SHOW !!!!!

THIS SHOW RULES