In February 2026, our centre came together to celebrate Lunar New Year, creating a joyful opportunity for tamariki to learn about different cultures, traditions, and celebrations from around the world. Through stories, creative activities, and shared experiences, tamariki explored the meaning of this special festival while developing a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity.
In the Kea Room, tamariki explored Lunar New Year through stories, music, and creative art experiences. During the week, we read books about New Year traditions and introduced the Year of the Horse. Tamariki enjoyed painting their own horses using stencils and also worked together on a group painting to explore the Chinese character for “Happy New Year” and the image of a horse. We also had fun learning and singing the "Happy New Year" song in Chinese, which brought lots of smiles and excitement during our mat times. These hands-on experiences encouraged creativity, collaboration, and curiosity about language and culture.
In the Uenuku Room, our tamariki enjoyed learning about and celebrating Lunar New Year. The room was filled with smiles, laughter, and many proud moments. Our kaiako supported tamariki learning through gentle and meaningful experiences that helped build a sense of belonging and respect for different cultures. Together, we shared stories and had mat time discussions about Chinese culture, mythology, and traditions. Tamariki also explored their creativity through art and craft activities, including making bright Chinese lanterns.
A special highlight in the Paua Room was inviting tamariki to wear red to mark the festive occasion. Red is an important colour in Lunar New Year celebrations, symbolising happiness and good luck. This experience created a wonderful opportunity for children to learn about different cultures and traditions. Through conversations, stories, and shared moments, tamariki began to develop an understanding of cultural diversity and inclusion. Dressing in red also helped children feel a strong sense of belonging and participation as they connected with the celebration together. These experiences supported their social development and encouraged respectful appreciation of others’ traditions.
Celebrating Lunar New Year together allowed our tamariki to experience the joy of learning about different traditions while strengthening their sense of community, respect, and cultural awareness. It was a wonderful celebration shared by everyone across our centre.