Farsi alphabet (alefba)
Resources
Here
are a few websites you can visit which will help your kids
learn
Farsi at
a young
age. We
recommend
talking to them in Farsi as much as you can and incorporating
the language into their daily lives by playing, reading
and telling stories or Ghesseh in Farsi. Farsi videos and
songs are also a great way to get them to speak Farsi.
Some parents tape their voices in stories or recommend
finding Persian friends for the kids.
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POM REVIEW |
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Avalien Ghadam Website |
This website is probably the most basic and
best way to get started. It contains the basic alefba (alphabet).
It
also goes through numbers, shapes and colors in farsi. A
good first step for kids. The website also features a poster
you can purchase for learning the alefba.
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Andisheh
Website |
This website features the basics learning
tools for Alefba (the Farsi alphabet). Although the site
looks a bit outdated,
the activities look fun enough that your kids will get
engaged to learn the basic alphabet. They also feature an
add-on
package, a Shahr-e Alefba Storybook, Persian Language CD
ROM, some nice poetry and educational products.
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Children's
Alphabet from Iranian Languages |
A small section of the Iranian Language website
is dedicated to the alphabet. The collection is not that
impressive and the graphics could be better.
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Farsi Storybooks (Ghesseh) Ages 2-7 |
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Babak and Friends - A First Norooz Storybook |
Babak and Friends - A First Norooz Storybook.
This book comes with the DVD Babak and Friends - A First
Norooz and is a great compliment to the story for bed-time
reading. The book has an English side and a Farsi side
and can be used to teach children about Norooz celebrations
and
to remind them of the Farsi words by reading it in both
languages. It is a great story and comes highly recommended.
Fun and suitable for all ages.
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Babak and Friends - A Visit From Maman Bozorg (plus We Want A Dog!) |
Babak and Friends - A Visit From Maman Bozorg Storybook. This quality book is hard cover and contains 2 stories in 1. The first is about Babak's grandmother coming to visit him from Iran. Maman Bozorg insists on speaking Farsi and Babak has a hard time finding common ground.
In the second story "We Want a Dog!" Saman and Sousanne beg their parents to be allowed to get a dog and after some mishaps learn that is a great responsibility to take care of another living thing.
Two great stories once again from Norooz Productions with high quality illustrations. We wish we had more!
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Celebrating Norouz (Persian New Year)
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A simple book, written from a Zoroastrians
perspective, describing Norouz and the celebrations of the
New Year. Graphics could be better but for the lack of good
material out there, we highly recommend this book from an
educational perspective.
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Amoo
Norooz and Other Persian Folk Stories |
A great starter book for younger kids who
have not grown up in Iran or who want to become more familiar
with Amoo Norooz, and the Persian New Year. Short stories
are interesting and fun and will certainly bring a bit of
the old Iranian Ghesseh tradition into your home.
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Farsinet's Children Stories |
This website contains
a few online stories which are illustrated and can be
fun to go through
with
your kids at the computer. The classic
ghessehs of Hassani, Khaleh Sooskeh & Agha Moosheh
and Atal Matal are all here. In addition, there is an
online intro
to the alphabet with poems. This is a good complement
to the options above and is meant for younger children.
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Online Farsi Lessons at Persianweb |
This website has formal Farsi lessons for
children and adults alike. Lessons take you from language
basics to a
conversational level and look fun. They also teach the Farsi
script. This site should be used
for older children or adults.
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Books
By Payvand |
The Tale of Mehregan and My First Nowruz are
two children's books about Iran and Iranian-American children
offered on the Payvand community website.
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International Children's Digital Library -
Farsi Section |
This fantastic resource is a digital library
that is online, free to use, and accessible for anyone with
an internet connection. The site features over 80 titles
in Farsi. The children's books can be downloaded and printed
or simply read from the screen. Children's storybooks are
provided
for all ages and tastes, often times filled with illustrations
and colorful pictures. This site is great online resource
that can be an interactive and fun place to visit
and revisit with your children.
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Farsi Storybooks (Ghesseh) Ages 8-12 |
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Rostam - Tales from the Shahnameh |
Ferdosi made simple. A wonderful comic book, made for the
first time, in English. It is a colorful and magnetic recount
of
the
infamous
tale
of Rostam and Sohrab. The book can be read to children and
is suitable for all ages. Let the legends live on. |
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The
Little Black Fish |
A great story from the creative Samad Behrangi.
This delightful book has an amazing story and will be enjoyed
by you and your kids. What a great way to learn Farsi!
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Once Upon a Star
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This
delightful children's story is about a little girl named
Roya who travels through time and space to discover more
about life. In her adventures she comes across many figures
and characters which teach her more about herself, her
past and her rich heritage. For a PersianMirror preview
click here.
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Not Yet Rated.
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Ahmad
Shamlu's Poetry For Children |
The story of the man without lips (mardi ke
lab nadasht) is a great story written in rhyme by the talented
Ahmad Shamlu. The poetry book is online with illustrations
and can be read directly from the website to your kids.
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Persian
Fiction Books by Language Book Centre |
19 titles offered by this Australian online bookstore.
The stories are written in Farsi and in English and include
a book by Samad Behrangi.
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Mulla Nasreddin Tales (Silsilah-I Tajdid-I Chap-I Mutun-I
Mashhur-I Farsi) |
Mulla Nasreddin is everybody's favorite. Get
this book and read it to your kids at bedtime or just enjoy
it yourself. The stories are fun, full of laughter and there
is always a lesson to be learned from the ever curious Mulla
Nasreddin. The book is in Farsi and a joy to read. Be sure
to make your kids a part of this long-standing tradition.
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The Pleasantries of the Incredible Mulla Nasrudin |
Smaller volume packed with the funniest stories of the
world's favorite Mulla. If you can't read Farsi and still
want your family to join in the fun and share the wisdom
of this sometimes silly, sometimes brilliant old man, then
you need this book.
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Educational Books, Music, Videos, DVD's |
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Babak
and Friends - A First Norooz DVD |
Babak and Friends - A First Norooz cartoon
comes on a DVD and is made in English and in Farsi. A great
tool for teaching Farsi and also entertaining and educating
your children about Norooz celerbations. This DVD promises
to be the first of many made by Norooz Productions. Cast includes
Oscar Nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo, Parviz Sayyad,
Catherine Bell and Ali Pourtash. |
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1001
Persian-English Proverbs |
Persian Proverbs or Zarb-ol Masals are truly
written with much imagination and describe so well the situations
at hand. This book will give you and your kids a rare view
into the mind of thousands of years of history and the beauty
of the Farsi language. Buy it, read it to your kids, give
them examples of the expressions and then use it with them
on a daily basis. You will love it!
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Farsi Children's Videos |
Two of the best are: "Pari dar Jangal" and
"Gohar Shab Cheragh". Your kids will watch these
and learn the language
and enjoy
themselves. They can be purchased online from musicboxla.com. |
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Iranibooks |
A great website which offers many children's books for
different ages and interests. This bookstore also offers
the full Tintin collection in Farsi, as well as Asterix and
some of other favorites that we grew up with.
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Karoon.com |
This Persian online bookstore probably has the most
comprehensive book collection with over 127 children's
books in Farsi. The Kids & Karoon section
has alphabet books, storybooks by age group, music, educational
books, CD's, DVD's, and Videos. Authors include Nader Pourkhani,
Maryam Sharif Razavian, and Azam Tabraii.
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Farsi Language Books & Lessons |
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Your
First 100 Words in Persian |
A fun book for kids that a bit older and want
to improve on their basic alefba. This book features games,
puzzles and pronunciation tips. Adults can benefit from it
too!
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How to Speak, Read, & Write Persian: Self-Teaching Method, Accompanied by 3 Twin-Track Cassettes |
A basic book good for young adults who want to learn Farsi.
The book contains grammar lessons, useful vocabulary and
tapes to help with pronunciation.
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Lonely Planet Farsi (Persian) Phrasebook |
A phrasebook useful for memorizing entire
sentences. This book is good if you are travelling to Iran
and you want to
teach your (older) kids some basic day-to-day lessons. It's
best use would be for adults who are trying to learn Farsi
at only a conversational level.
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Farsi Language Schools |
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POM REVIEW |
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Persian Language
School, New South Wales, Australia |
Guided under the supervision of Seyed Mohsen
Seyedabadi, these two schools offer Persian Language and
Culture to children ranging from Kindergarten to the 12th
Grade. Classes are held Saturdays from 10--1 at Parramatta
and on Sundays from 9-12 at Hornby.
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Rustam School London, England |
A school for Iranian children in London, catering
to children from 5 and up. In service since 1981, this private
school
offers classes for all grades up to graduation.
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Persian School Of New York, Woodside, New York |
This school located in Queens, offers a variety of Farsi
classes to adults and children alike. They offer numerous
activities and programs to bring parents and children together
in Farsi.
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Ferdowsi
Persian Language School, East Norwich, New York |
Established in 1986, this Persian Language School was established
to promote the Persian language and culture. Farsi language
classes range from Kindergarten to advanced levels for reading
and writing. Sessions are held on Fridays from 5 to 7.30
pm from September through May.
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Alwan Cultural
Organization, New York, New York |
This cultural organization in downtown Manhattan provides
conversational Farsi language classes at all levels. These
would be interesting and fun for children and adults alike.
The society also has chapters in Washington DC and Houston.
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Iran Cultural & Educational Center, Rockville, Maryland |
Located in Rockville, Maryland, this organization offers
Farsi classes on Saturdays mornings. They have a library
filled with books and videos and offer other events and parties
for the Persian Community.
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Iranian
Community School Vienna, Virginia |
Non-profit Educationcal system for children who want to
learn Farsi. The school was founded in 1986 and now offers
music and arts classes as well. Classes are held on weekends
for 13 sessions.
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Farsi
School of Seattle, Washington |
Language school in Seattle for adults and children. The
kid's program is for 1st-3rd graders.
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Eftekhar Persian Language School |
Located in Milwaukee,
the Efthekhar Persian Language School is run by Ms. Monir
Almassi. They have been teaching
Farsi lessons to adult, youth and young children. The lessons
are held at the Cardinal Stritch University
and the school is a non-political and non-religious organization.
Contact Info: Monir
Almassi
Telephone number: 262-796-1700
e-mail: moniralmassi@yahoo.com
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Iranian School of San Diego |
Established in 1988, this San Diego school offers Farsi
classes for all ages and all levels. Classes are on Thursday
PM or Saturday AM. Extra-curricular activites include Persian
dance, theatre, and art.
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Khayam Persian School Foundation, Orange County, California |
Persian language school with several locations in Orange County. They teach children
6 years or older up to adults. They offer different Levels
of Farsi courses.
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Vohuman
Farsi Lessons for Children Palo Alto, California |
This center in Palo Alto offers Farsi classes to children
8 years and older. They cover all levels of Persian language
instruction. Visit their website for schedule information.
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Farsi Games & Fun Stuff |
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Word
Guess Game |
This website contains some basic words in
English that are then spoken out loud in Farsi when you click
the word. It covers animals, body parts, cooking utensils,
and other basic words that could be fun to learn for a beginner.
There is no written Farsi here, just the spoken word to be
heard. .
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Koodakan.org |
A Farsi website filled with instructions for
great handmade arts and crafts. The site has sofreh haft
sin egg painting ideas, sabzeh growing instructions, finger
puppets and so on. The site is all in Farsi, so it may not
be easy to use for everybody.
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