At Wisely SF, we believe that growing up bilingual is one of the most powerful gifts a child can receive. From day one, our classroom has been a place where English and Chinese — specifically Cantonese — are both spoken, sung, and celebrated.
One of the easiest and most joyful ways we introduce Cantonese to children is through counting. Numbers are concrete, repeatable, and come up naturally throughout the day: counting children at circle time, counting steps on the walk to the park, counting bites at snack time.
Here is a short video of our class counting in Cantonese together:
▶ Watch our class count in Cantonese
Why Cantonese?
San Francisco has a deep Cantonese-speaking heritage, and many families in our community have roots in that tradition. By teaching Cantonese alongside English, we honor that history and give children a head start on a language spoken by millions of people around the world.
Even for families who don't speak Cantonese at home, early exposure plants seeds. Children's brains are uniquely wired for language acquisition in these early years — every word, song, and counting rhyme builds the foundation.
How We Practice
- Morning circle: We count the days of the week and the children present — in both English and Cantonese.
- Songs and chants: Counting songs make numbers stick in a way that drills never can.
- Daily conversation: Teachers naturally mix in Cantonese words for colors, foods, body parts, and actions throughout the day.
If you'd like your child to hear more Cantonese at home, counting is the perfect place to start. Try counting to ten together before bed tonight.