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Embracing Other Cultures
We celebrated Samoan Language Week by doing some art and craft of Samoan culture, learning and dancing to Samoan music, dressing up in Samaon (Island style) costumes, and having chicken chop suey for lunch on Friday. This year’s theme for Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa – Samoa Language Week is ‘Mitamita i lau gagana, maua’a lou fa’asinomaga’ which means "Be proud of your language and grounded in your identity".
We enjoyed learning about other cultures. In the early hours of the morning, soft Samoan music was used to welcome the fanau (children) during their drop-off times. On Wednesday some of the toddlers and infants helped to make suafa'I - a sago, coconut cream, and banana pudding. They mashed the bananas that would go into the pudding, which they had during their afternoon tea time.
We also designed the traditional Samoan Tapa cloth using crayons and dye. We painted flowers that kaiako used to make headbands. We had a dress-up day on Friday with many of our children dressed up in traditional Samoan outfits. Our fanau looked super cute in their headbands, skirts, and outfits and they loved posing for their photos.
Working together for the common good develops a spirit of sharing, togetherness, and reciprocity, which is valued by Pasifika and many other cultures.