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Welcoming the Lunar New Year at BestStart Marne Street
In the Investigators room, we welcomed the Lunar New Year with a variety of engaging and meaningful experiences, embracing cultural traditions and deepening children’s understanding of this special festival. One of our Investigators parents brought in beautiful cultural decorations, explaining their significance and how they bring good luck and prosperity in the new year.
Ngã Tamariki were captivated as they listened to a storybook about the Lunar New Year read by the parent, enhancing their awareness of different cultural traditions. A key highlight was making pretend dumplings out of play dough, allowing the children to explore the significance of cultural food through a hands-on experience. Ngã tamariki also had the opportunity to taste real dumplings at kai time, celebrating the rich cultural traditions of China. This experience allowed them to engage their senses, appreciate new flavours, and deepen their understanding of Lunar New Year fostering cultural awareness and a sense of connection to diverse traditions.
In addition, ngã tamariki participated in learning the legend of the zodiac animal race, discovering how the zodiac cycle was created and discussing the characteristics of each animal. This led to a special focus on the Year of the Snake, where children created their own snake pictures using collage materials and paint, fostering creativity while engaging with the theme. The celebration provided a rich opportunity for cultural appreciation, storytelling, hands-on creativity, and collaborative learning, leaving the children with a deeper understanding and excitement for the Lunar New Year traditions.