Igniting Cultural Curiosity: The Importance of Learning about Lunar New Year for Children
In the colorful tapestry of our diverse world, the Lunar New Year stands as a vibrant thread, weaving together centuries-old traditions, rich customs, and a celebration that transcends borders. As we embrace the beauty of cultural diversity, it becomes imperative to introduce our children to the wonders of festivals like the Lunar New Year. Beyond the glittering lanterns and delectable feasts, delving into the significance of this auspicious occasion holds invaluable benefits for the young minds eager to explore the world around them.
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Cultural Appreciation and Understanding: Introducing children to the Lunar New Year fosters a sense of appreciation for the customs and traditions of different cultures. As they learn about the symbolic meanings behind dragon dances, red envelopes, and traditional foods, children gain insights into the rich tapestry of global heritage, nurturing a mindset of acceptance and understanding.
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Global Awareness and Connection: In an increasingly interconnected world, cultivating global awareness is crucial. Learning about Lunar New Year provides children with a window into the lives of their peers from diverse backgrounds. This awareness lays the foundation for empathy, tolerance, and a sense of interconnectedness that transcends geographical boundaries.
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Fostering Inclusivity: Embracing cultural celebrations like Lunar New Year fosters inclusivity within communities. Children who understand and celebrate different traditions are more likely to appreciate the unique qualities that each person brings to the collective tapestry of humanity. This inclusivity, in turn, contributes to the development of well-rounded, open-minded individuals.
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Educational Enrichment: The Lunar New Year is not just a celebration; it's an opportunity for educational enrichment. Children can explore diverse subjects, from history and geography to art and literature, as they delve into the stories and legends associated with this festive occasion. This multidisciplinary approach enhances their learning experience and encourages a lifelong love for exploration.
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Building Lifelong Memories: Children cherish memories of festive moments spent with family and friends. Incorporating Lunar New Year celebrations into their lives creates lasting impressions, fostering a sense of belonging and shared joy. These positive experiences become building blocks for a childhood filled with cultural richness and familial connections.
As we embark on this exploration of the Lunar New Year, let's not only revel in the festivities but also recognize the profound impact it can have on the young minds of our children. By embracing cultural diversity and fostering a spirit of curiosity, we sow the seeds for a future generation that appreciates, respects, and celebrates the beautiful mosaic of human traditions.
We have an entire collection of printable crafts & activities for Lunar New Year here
Lunar New Year Lucky Animals Tray!
Today we celebrate the year of the dragon! People born in a year of the Dragon are noted to be charismatic, intelligent, confident, powerful and they are lucky.
The lunar zodiac shengxiao (/shnng-sshyao/ 'born resembling'), is represented by 12 zodiac animals. In order, they are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. The zodiac years begin/end at LunarNew Year (in January/February). Each year in the repeating zodiac cycle of 12 years is represented by a zodiac animal, each with its own reputed attributes.
This tray allows children to explore each of the animals of the zodiac and learn more about them! Some ways to explore:
-Line up the animals in the currently Zodiac cycle
-Talk about attributes of these animals related to their personality traits
-Find out what your zodiac is
Process Art Lunar New Year Dragon
This process art activity is a great way to celebrate Lunar New Year and learn about the traditions behind dragons in their culture as well as allow children to be creative.
Dragon’s are an important part of Lunar New Year’s Celebrations! They are believed to bring good luck and celebrations often include a dragon dance.
The colours of the dragon have special meanings!
-Red: Excitement & Good Fortune
-Green: Great Harvest
-Gold: Wealth
All you need is card stock paper, washable tempera paint, paint brushes and scissors!
Step one: Take a piece of card stock paper and fold it in half!
Step Two: Encourage children to paint symmetrical patterns on the paper! Once they have made their design, fold the paper to smush the paint and create your dragon’s face!
Step Three: Place googly eyes on either side of the dragon’s face and cut out the face!
Process Art Co-Create Cherry Blossom Tree
Cherry Blossoms actually have an important significance in Lunar New Year Traditions! Cherry blossoms represent new beginnings and a renewal of life. And because they have long branches, they also represent longevity.
This easy process art co-created inspired activity is a great opportunity to collaborate and be creative but also celebrate Lunar New Year!
Cut a large sheet paper to the size of the bottom of your tuff tray and secure it with tape! Using brown paint, paint the shape of your tree. Then mix red and white paint together to form pink for your blossoms. To create blossom shapes secure a pom pom to a clothespin and gently dip it in the paint and begin dabbing along your branches! Repeat with white paint! Then add small white and pink pom poms to represent blossom buds and the beginning of renewal. Gently scrunch pink tissue paper to create 3D blossoms and dip them in glue and place them along your branches!
Then you will have a beautiful mixed media cherry blossom tree!
Lunar New Year Mark Making & Counting Tray
This activity is a great opportunity for children to familiarize themselves with different aspects of Lunar New Year and Chinese Culture! Children can explore mark making by creating the Chinese numbers in the rice and explore counting! You can talk about the red envelope tradition and fill red bowls or little red construction paper envelopes!
Did you know in Chinese culture, red symbolizes fire, good fortune, and joy. It is the color of happiness, used strictly for celebrations. Unsurprisingly, gold symbolizes wealth and prosperity. Together, they are used to spread the message of good fortune and prosperity for everyone in the coming new year.
Lunar New Year Sun Catcher Lanterns
First, draw your lantern! Use a black Sharpie to draw it on a piece of white paper, OR draw it directly onto black paper.
Draw your lantern however you want, just be sure to leave lots of spaces to fill with colour!
Cut out the lantern and stick it to a piece of contact paper. Cut the tissue paper into small pieces. Use any colour you would like!
Next, have your child stick the tissue paper pieces into the gaps of the lantern.
Once complete, stick another piece of contact paper overtop to seal it, then cut around the lantern to remove any excess pieces that may be hanging over the edges.
Finally, hang up your completed lantern in the window to enjoy!
Get the craft instructions here
Process Art Cherry Blossom Foil Painting
This activity is a fun and easy way to celebrate the arrival of spring and exploring textures
All you need:
-Canvas
-Red, Purple & white washable tempera paint
-Paint brushes
-Aluminum foil
Pour your cherry blossom coloured paints on a paper plate and then using brown paint paint the trunk and branches of a tree.
When ready tear a sheet of aluminum foil and ball it up! Then press it into the paint and then press it on the canvas where the branches are to create blossoms!
This play tray is inspired by the tradition of hóngbāo! Can you help fill the red envelope with the gold pieces (meant to represent money)?
At Lunar New Year, it’s tradition to give the gift of a bright, beautiful red envelope (known as 紅包, hóngbāo) to your friends and family! These red envelopes are filled with money - and symbolize good wishes and luck for the new year ahead. The importance of the hóngbāo isn’t the cash held inside; it’s actually the envelope itself. The red color symbolizes good luck and prosperity in Chinese (and other East Asian) cultures.
Ways to extend the play:
-Decorate the red envelope with traditional lettering
-Count the money and learn about the amounts meant to go in the envelopes!
-Learn about the meaning of red & gold in asian cultures
Today is the Lantern Festival or Spring Festival which happens during Lunar New Year!
This traditional festival is celebrated on the full moon, the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunisolar Chinese calendar!
The lanterns can symbolize the people letting go of their past selves and getting new ones, which they will let go of the next year. The lanterns are almost always red to symbolize good fortune.
During the festival, houses are festooned with colourful lanterns, often with riddles written on them; if the riddle is answered correctly, the solver earns a small gift. Festival celebrations also include lion and dragon dances, parades, and fireworks. Small glutinous rice balls filled with fruits and nuts, called yuanxiao or tangyuan, are eaten during the festival. The round shape of the balls symbolizes wholeness and unity within the family