Lunar New Year
In 2023, the Lunar New Year began on January 22nd, marking the start of the Year of the Rabbit according to Chinese zodiac and the year of the Cat according to other lunar calendars and traditions. To celebrate this important cultural event, we organised a variety of activities and events for the children in our childcare centre.
Some of the activities we have planned included:
Making and decorating traditional red lanterns, which are believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the new year.
Creating and performing dragon dances, a traditional Chinese dance that is meant to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits.
Cooking and tasting traditional Lunar New Year foods, such as dumplings, noodles and tangerine.
Storytelling and other educational activities that will teach children about the customs and traditions associated with the Lunar New Year.
We encourage all families to join in the celebrations and share their own cultural traditions with the children and staff.
Celebrating the Lunar New Year is a great way for children to learn about and appreciate different cultures, and to feel a sense of connection to their own heritage. It's also a time for joy and happiness, where we wish each other well for the coming year. We look forward to sharing this special time with the children and families in our childcare centre.
Short story to read to children
Once upon a time, in a land far away, there was a beautiful and peaceful village where the people celebrated a special festival every year. It was called the Lunar New Year and it was a time for families to come together, eat delicious food and give each other red envelopes filled with money as a symbol of good luck.
This year, the village was bustling with excitement as it was the year of the rabbit. The people decorated their homes with colorful lanterns and banners with images of rabbits on them. They also prepared traditional foods like dumplings and rice cakes to share with their loved ones.
As the festival came to an end, the villagers went to bed tired but happy.
In another village, many miles away, the people decorated their homes with images of cats, and made special cat-shaped treats and sweets. They also put up banners and decorated the streets with lights.
The villagers had a great time celebrating the new year and were looking forward to the next one. They knew that no matter what animal represented the new year, they would always come together as a community and celebrate with joy.
Celebrating various cultural events
At our childcare centre @ South Parramatta Granville Preschool, we believe in the importance of celebrating and honoring the diverse cultures of the children and families we serve. By embracing and learning about different cultural traditions, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all members of our community.
One of the ways we do this is by celebrating a variety of cultural events throughout the year. These events provide an opportunity for children to learn about the customs, traditions, and history of different cultures, and to feel a sense of pride and connection to their own cultural heritage.
For example, we have celebrated events such as Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, by decorating the centre with colorful lanterns and sharing stories about the holiday with the children. We have also celebrated Ramadan with beautiful lanterns and Lunar New Year by making and tasting traditional foods, and participating in dragon dances.
In addition to introducing children to new cultural experiences, celebrating cultural events in our childcare centre also helps to promote understanding and respect among the children. By learning about the traditions and customs of others, children can develop an appreciation for the differences that make each of us unique.
Overall, celebrating cultural events in our childcare centre is an important way for us to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all children and families. We are committed to continuing to celebrate the diversity of our community and to helping children understand and appreciate different culture
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