Introduction
Welcome to Chapter 3 of Learn Mandarin for Kids! In the last chapter, we learned how to introduce ourselves with 我叫 (wǒ jiào) and ask someone’s name. Today, we’re moving into something super fun and useful — learning to count in Mandarin!
1. Numbers 1 to 5 in Chinese
Let’s start with the basics. Here’s how you say and write numbers 1 to 5 in Mandarin:
🧒 Practice reading out loud and tracing the characters!
2. Fun Finger Counting Game
Mandarin numbers 1–5 can also be shown with hand gestures! Teach your child the finger signs for each number to make learning interactive.
👋 One finger for 一, two fingers for 二, and so on!
🎲 Game Idea:
Say a number out loud in Mandarin and let your child show the matching number with their fingers. Or do the opposite—hold up fingers and ask them to say the number!
3. Let’s Count Objects
Grab some toys, fruits, or crayons and start counting!
🧸 Example:
“一只熊 (yī zhī xióng)” – one teddy bear
“两颗苹果 (liǎng kē píng guǒ)” – two apples
“三支笔 (sān zhī bǐ)” – three pens
👩🎨 Make it creative: draw five stars and let your child count them in Mandarin!
4. Printable Worksheet Fun
Download our Mandarin Numbers 1–5 Worksheet to let your child:
Trace numbers and characters
Match numbers to pictures
Practice writing with stroke guides
🎨 Coloring bonus: Each number comes with a fun object to color and count!
5. Bonus Word: 数数 (shǔ shù) – To Count
🗣 数数 (shǔ shù) = To count
Encourage your child to “数数!” everything — fingers, snacks, toys — in Mandarin!
Conclusion
Great job! In this chapter, your child learned how to count from 1 to 5 in Mandarin and recognize the characters too. Learning numbers is a huge step in building confidence and fluency.
📥 Ready to practice?
👉 Download our Mandarin Numbers 1–5 worksheet now on Little Rainbow Artwork and make learning to count fun and hands-on!
📚 Stay tuned for Chapter 4, where we’ll explore basic colors in Chinese!
