At Howick Kindergarten we were getting excited about celebrating the Year of the Dragon.  Our kaiako came up with some great ideas to celebrate Chinese New Year. We kicked things off with finger painting, making firecrackers, trying our hand at Chinese calligraphy, and cooking up some tasty dumplings.  

As part of our cultural exploration, we delved into the pictographic origins of Chinese characters, with older tamariki showcasing their ability to recognise characters by their appearance. Teacher guidance led tamariki to practice writing these characters on special paper that darkens with water. 

We also chatted about the legend of Nian, and all our little ones helped adore the kindergarten with bright red lanterns and window art to scare away that mythical monster. 

Emily’s Mum added to the excitement by preparing some vegetarian dumpling fillings and together, we joined the process of making dumplings and enjoying tasting them.  

Our cultural immersion extended to watching videos on tea, culminating in a tea ceremony featuring wheat tea and flower tea, both free from caffeine. 

Looking ahead, our kaiako are dedicated to organising engaging learning experiences, including lion dancing and Chinese dress-ups, as we continue to embrace the rich traditions of the Chinese New Year.