In keeping up with Lake Zurich’s growing Chinese population, Ela Area Public Library (EAPL) on Tuesday held a Mandarin Chinese story time for children ages three and up.

Through song, interaction, and props, Min-I Wang, teacher at Language Stars, Barrington, told the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle, speaking only Mandarin Chinese.

“Kids are learning while they are having fun and they don’t even realize they are learning something new” said Wang.

The full immersion or what Language Stars has coined the phrase, “FunImmersion” method is used during the story time because “that is the best way for anyone to learn a new language,” said Wang.

A native speaker of Mandarin Chinese herself, Wang comes from Changhua, Taiwan with five years of teaching experience.

Wang began the story time by handing out rattles to children as she sang and demonstrated the noise and name of the object. As she handed out the rattles, she had each child repeat what she said in Mandarin.

“It’s easier for children to repeat tone and intonation than adults,” said Wang.

As she read The Very Hungry Caterpillar; a book about a caterpillar eating its way through food until turning into a butterfly, she used gestures like pointing to her stomach and making grumbling noises to depict that the caterpillar was hungry.

Wang had the children pull out props such as a pear, plum, and orange out of a box as she read the story in Mandarin and had them all repeat the name of the fruit.

“The story is good because we count, say names of the week, and recognize different fruits all in Mandarin,” explained Wang.

The parents were even getting involved singing and doing the gestures that went along.

“It’s a nice opportunity to get a sample of what it’s like to learn Mandarin Chinese,” said Kate Hall, parent and Lake Zurich resident.

Wang sang the songs, which were a continuous repetition of words in Mandarin, to recognizable nursery rhymes.

“Kids can associate and follow along easier,” said Wang.

After the half-hour long program, Wang reviewed the words and gestures with everyone.

This is one of the four Mandarin Chinese story times Language Stars will hold on a monthly basis at the EAPL.

“We added the story time program because we noticed the increase in circulation in our Chinese section and Lake Zurich’s Chinese population is expanding,” said Natalie Ziarnik, head of children’s department.

Language Stars agreed to do the program at no cost to EAPL.

“Having a Mandarin Chinese program available is important because more schools are offering Chinese as a language option, our global economy is moving towards China, and it’s part of our cross cultural learning,” said Ziarnik.

She added that Lake Zurich High School is home to the Fenghua Academy, which teaches the Chinese language and culture on weekends.

Around 22 children pre-registered for the Mandarin Chinese story time and came out.

“Including parents we had about 33 people attend and it was a great turnout considering how snowy it was outside,” said Ziarnik.

The next classes will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, Feb. 8, March, 8, and April 12.

Pre-register online at eapl.org or call 847-438-3433.