Ni Hao,
This week Pre-School celebrated Chinese New Year; we are leaving the Year of the Snake and moving into the Year of the Horse. Many, many thanks to Lucy who came in to talk to the children about our topic, she taught them how to make the words ‘big’, ‘small’ and ‘person’ in Chinese, she also made moon biscuits with them – they were delicious.
The role-play area has been set up with our round table complete with tablecloth, Chinese dishes, spoons and of course, chopsticks with lots of different types of Chinese play food, menus and even a lazy Susan (rotating tray). Out went the plastic saucepans in the kitchen area and in came the woks! Children have been very busy in this area all week.
The playdough table had laminates of words in Chinese symbols, which the children moulded into the correct shape and the tuff-spot had noodles and chopsticks with bowls. The next day we added porridge to the noodles, not a very usual combination! However, this proved extremely popular for malleable play and a surprisingly nice smell too!
We have danced to very soothing Chinese music with ribbons and listened to Chinese stories. Some children extended the Dragon Painter story by stamping on the town and breathing fire!
The children learnt all about the animals in the Chinese zodiac. For your information 2009 is the Year of the Ox, 2010 is the year of the Tiger and 2011 Year of the Rabbit. As it turns out, Pauline & Nicky are Year of the Rat – the rats threw the cat in the river – so beware our feline friends!
On the craft front we made some very realistic horse masks! And today the children practised their cutting skills by making Chinese lanterns.
Of course, we couldn’t have Chinese New Year without tasting some scrumptious Chinese food… as well as Lucy’s moon biscuits we ate some lovely noodles, spring rolls and prawn crackers were enjoyed by all (well mostly all!)