 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration
- Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi
- Price: $29.99
- Genre: Preschool
Common Sense Media says
Virtual Chinese New Year with perfectly designed games.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this incredibly well-made preschool game is both entertaining and educational. Players are made to feel as if they are truly taking part in both the preparation for and celebration of a Chinese New Year festival. Children over six will likely find the game far too easy, but for the intended audiance or preschoolers or kindergartners, Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration is perfectly set up.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn a slew of great preschool lessons that could aid in both educational and emotional development. Kids are asked to recognize and match shapes and colors, as well as follow verbal directions. Through the story, they can pick up a heap of knowledge about Chinese culture and play some music. Plus, they’ll encounter a cast of characters in different emotional states -- indicated by facial expressions -- and possibly learn how to help those who aren’t in the best of moods. Crisp, clear lessons make learning colors, shapes, and Chinese culture a joy.
Subjects
- Artsrhythm
- Hobbies
- Language & Reading
- Mathpatterns, sequences, shapes
- Science
- Social Studiescultural understanding
Skills
- Collaborationcooperation, respecting other viewpoints, teamwork
- Communicationlistening
- Creativity
- Emotional Developmentempathy, identifying emotions, moving beyond obstacles
- Health & Fitness
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Self-Direction
- Tech Skills
- Thinking & Reasoning
What's it about?
In Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration, Kai-Lan, the young Chinese-American heroine of her own Nick Jr. animated series, helps her friends and grandfather prepare for a Chinese New Year festival. They go through every step of the holiday. Preparation involves such activities as shopping for food, preparing traditional dishes, coloring and cutting out paper lanterns, and practicing a song with a band (which they later perform). When the celebration begins, they take part in a dragon boat race, a parade in which they carry floats, a dance, and a fireworks show. They even help clean up afterward.
Is it any good?
Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration is one of the best DS games created for preschoolers. The dawn-to-night format, which begins with Kai-Lan waking her friends and ends with her washing dishes (which is actually fun), is genius. Not only does it make kids feel like they're really taking part in this marvelous cultural celebration, it also spices up the gameplay with a lot of variety. Helping the grandfather shop for ingredients is a sort of I Spy game, while helping him prepare the meals calls for Cooking Mama-style gameplay. The fireworks display involves tracing shapes with the stylus, while rowing in the dragon boat race becomes a rhythm game. It's all super-easy, but as the average Kai-Lan fan is still learning the alphabet, that's exactly how it should be.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the benefits of learning about other cultures. What other cultures are your children interested in? Is there a holiday that your family does not celebrate that your kids would like to learn more about? Do you think is it important to be in touch with ones cultural roots?
Parents can also discuss the importance of emotional intelligence. How can you tell when a person is happy, sad, or angry? How can or should you alter your behavior to accommodate the emotional state of another person?
What kids can learn
Kids can learn a slew of great preschool lessons that could aid in both educational and emotional development. Kids are asked to recognize and match shapes and colors, as well as follow verbal directions. Through the story, they can pick up a heap of knowledge about Chinese culture and play some music. Plus, they’ll encounter a cast of characters in different emotional states -- indicated by facial expressions -- and possibly learn how to help those who aren’t in the best of moods. Crisp, clear lessons make learning colors, shapes, and Chinese culture a joy.
Subjects
- Arts: rhythm
- Hobbies:
- Language & Reading:
- Math: patterns, sequences, shapes
- Science:
- Social Studies: cultural understanding
Skills
- Collaboration: cooperation, respecting other viewpoints, teamwork
- Communication: listening
- Creativity:
- Emotional Development: empathy, identifying emotions, moving beyond obstacles
- Health & Fitness:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Self-Direction:
- Tech Skills:
- Thinking & Reasoning:
How kids will learn
Kids help Kai-Lan and friends prepare for a New Year celebration. The eager characters clearly express joy from working together. For every task, kids must listen to directions and then use very easy controls to do things such as shop for food, prepare dishes, and make paper lanterns. Lessons such as colors, shapes, and matching come into play, as well. Sad or upset characters can be soothed and cheered along the way. Once the party begins, kids get to play songs with a band, enter rhythm-based dragon boat races, and more.
How parents can help
- Watch the Ni Hao, Kai-Lan show with your preschoolers; ask if they understand the lessons within.
- Read books with your kids about Chinese culture, such as Round Is a Mooncake.
- Take your kids to a Chinese restaurant to experience some Chinese culture.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
| Platforms: | Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Preschool |
| Developer: | 2K Play |
| Release date: | November 5, 2009 |
| Price: | $29.99 |
| ESRB rating: | EC for no descriptors |
Contact us to give us more feedback on our learning ratings.
Review It
Screenshots
1 of 2
2 of 2
Tell us what you think about our new Learning Ratings. We value your feedback.
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already played it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
