The School Age 1 group has been busy exploring cultural activities in the classroom. The children had the opportunity to learn about two celebrations: Lunar New Year and Eid-ul-Fitr through creative craft experiences.
We began by discussing how families around the world celebrate special festivals. The children looked at pictures and explored different symbols from each celebration. For Lunar New Year, they noticed red lanterns and decorations that are believed to bring good luck. For Eid, they observed the crescent moon, stars, and colourful patterns often used to decorate homes.
At the craft table, the children used various coloured paper of their choice to create lanterns inspired by Chinese celebrations. They carefully folded, cut, and glued their materials while talking about how lanterns are displayed in different places. On another day, they created crescent moons and stars using paper plates, markers, gems, and stickers. Each child explored different materials, making their creations unique.
The children showed great creativity and curiosity throughout these activities. Some compared the colours used in both celebrations, while others shared how their own families celebrate these holidays at home. This created meaningful opportunities for the children to learn from one another and appreciate different cultures.
It was wonderful to see the children excitedly display their work and share it with their peers. These experiences supported their social development, creativity, and cultural awareness. They also practiced fine motor skills while crafting and developed an understanding and respect for traditions that are meaningful to others.
Overall, these activities helped the children recognize that while celebrations may look different, they often share common themes of joy, community, and tradition.
