Soundwalks in Mandarin

The Soundwalks podcast paints rich audio landscapes for children to explore. 

These journeys take children to forests, deserts, rivers and cities, where animals and people have stories to share.

As they listen, children will pick up Mandarin words and phrases, and they will discover how language links to feelings, stories and the amazing world around them.

Table of contents:

1. 1. Coping with change
2. 2. Making mistakes
3. 3. Determination
4. 4. Feeling free
5. 5. Asking for help
6. 6. Happy alone
7. 7. Forming connections
8. 8. Coping with anger
9. 9. Frustration
10. 10. Active inclusion
11. 11. Acknowledgements

1.  Coping with change

Today we are heading into the Congo rainforest, a place full of rushing water, colourful birds and cheeky chimpanzees.

As you listen, see if you can notice the Mandarin words for comfort, family and change. We will also slow down with some breathing, so you can feel calm while learning how language connects to feelings and new experiences.

2.  Making mistakes

On the open grasslands of Tanzania, zebras and wildebeest gather near a waterhole. A curious zebra foal runs off while chasing a bird and suddenly realises it has lost sight of its mother.

As you listen, pay attention to the Mandarin words for animals, safety and mistakes. Think about how mistakes, even scary ones, can help us grow and learn.

3.  Determination

Today we're in the green highlands of Lithuania. Birds are singing and bees are buzzing as they collect nectar to make honey for the winter. Bees work hard together and never give up.

As you listen, notice the Mandarin words for animals, working hard and reaching a goal. Think about what happens when you keep trying, even when something feels tricky.

4.  Feeling free

Today we're off to the woodlands of Tasmania, Australia. Here you'll meet quolls — very cute animals that love to play, wrestle and even "play fight" as they learn new things. When they get tired from running around, they breathe deeply to catch their breath.

Listen for Mandarin words about quolls, playing and breathing. Let's think about how playing helps us learn, just like it does for the quolls.

5.  Asking for help

Today we're heading to a hot African desert. There's a group of elephants there, and they are playing in a mud puddle to cool off. However, one little baby elephant gets stuck in the mud. It tries really hard to get out by itself, but when it can't, it asks the other elephants for help. Together, they push and guide the baby until it's free.

As you listen, keep your ears open for Mandarin words about elephants, helping friends and the desert. Let's think about how it's totally okay to ask for help when we need it, just like the baby elephant did.

6.  Happy alone

Today we're heading to Alaska's snowy, rocky mountain tops. The air here is cold, but the views are amazing! We'll spot white-headed eagles gliding by themselves through the sky and Arctic foxes walking alone across the snow.

Both animals love spending time on their own, and that's totally okay. Sometimes being alone helps us feel calm and happy too.

Listen out for Mandarin words about these mountain animals, snow and "being alone". Let's talk about how nice it can be to enjoy our own company, just like the eagle and fox do.

7.  Forming connections

Today we are at a big park in central London. It's "doggie hour", a time when lots of dogs come to play together! You'll hear border collies chasing balls, schnauzers sniffing hello and even a cormorant by the lake drying its wings.

The dogs are so excited to make new friends, and it's a great chance to think about how we make friends too.

As you listen, catch the Mandarin words for dogs, playing and "making friends". Let's talk about all the fun ways to connect with new people.

8.  Coping with anger

Today we're visiting Sydney, a busy city filled with all kinds of sounds, including trains on tracks, people talking and lots of birds chirping. We'll meet a kookaburra who feels angry when she has to protect her eggs from other birds.

It's okay to feel angry sometimes, just like this kookaburra. The most important thing is to understand why we feel that way and find ways to calm down.

As you listen, catch the Mandarin words for birds, anger and "calming down". Let's talk about our feelings and how to handle them gently.

9.  Frustration

Today we're visiting a rainforest in Papua New Guinea, a place full of thick climbing vines, buzzing insects and colourful birds. We'll watch a palm cockatoo try to open a tree nut for lunch. When the nut falls, the cockatoo feels frustrated.

Just like the cockatoo, we sometimes feel frustrated when things are hard, but we can take a break, breathe and try again.

As you listen, catch the Mandarin words for rainforest animals, frustration and "trying again". Let's talk about how to handle tricky moments gently.

10.  Active inclusion

Today we're visiting the Pampas grasslands in Argentina — wide, flat land covered in lovely green grass, where chickens, cows and horses live. We'll watch a playful hen and a curious young horse — even though they're different, the horse includes the hen as a friend.

Including others helps everyone feel safe and like they belong, just as the hen felt with the horse.

As you listen, catch the Mandarin words for the farm animals, the grasslands and "including others". Let's talk about how we can invite others to join us too.