For grown-ups: pinyin is colored by tone on every word — red = 1st (high & flat, like singing), green = 2nd (rising, like asking “huh?”), blue = 3rd (dips down then up), purple = 4th (falls sharply, like a firm “no!”), gray = neutral (short and light). Have her say the tone with her hand drawing the shape in the air — it genuinely works.
Structure: three levels, 42 units, about 500 words — roughly the full YCT 1–3 span for her age band. Level 1 is the foundation; Level 2 is the world around her; Level 3 adds question words, verbs, sentences, and fun (space, robots, dragons, Malaysia). Go strictly in order within a level; between units, order matters less.
Suggested rhythm: one unit per week or two, no rush. Learn mode with the Listen button first (audio uses the device's built-in Chinese voice), then Find the Character until she scores 8/10 twice, then Pick the Pinyin, and finally Listen & Find — the hardest mode, pure sound-to-character with no picture help. Characters are Simplified, matching SJKC and mainland usage. Stars reset when the page reloads — the stars are for today's session, not a lifetime score.
Order of skills at this age: hear it → say it → recognize the character → recognize the pinyin. Writing characters comes later and separately; recognition first is the standard and correct sequence.