We celebrated the South Indian festival of Onam here at BestStart Bader Street, honouring the rich traditions and culture of our Malayali (Malayam) Whaanau.
It was a joyful morning filled with laughter, learning and meaningful cultural exchange.
Our celebration included a variety of engaging activities for tamariki and whaanau such as musical chairs, lemon and spoon race, sack race and bindi competition - placing a decorative dot between the eyebrows, which is cultural symbol in Indian traditions.
Whaanau and all our children celebrated enthusiastically, gaining a deeper appreciation for the significance of Onam while enjoying these experiences together. One of the highlights of the day was the sharing of sadhya- a traditional vegeterian feast served during Onam. Our wonderful Malayali families joined us in their beautiful cultural outfits and generously shared this delicious meal with our centre.
Their involvement made the celebration even more special and allowed all of us to see, taste and feel the richness of the culture. It was a powerful way to build children's sense of belonging, identity, and respect for the diversity. Experiences like these are strongly connected to Te Whaariki strands Belonging (Mana Whenua) and Contribution (Mana Tangata) where children and families feel valued, connected and recognised, and children learn to appreciate diversity, participate in shared experiences and develop emphathy and respect for others.
This event also aligns with our localised curriculum here at BestStart Bader street, where we embrace and celebrate the diverse cultures of our centre.