Happy Lunar New Year everyone!
We hope you enjoy this special time with your loved ones!
For those of you who may not know what Lunar New Year is, keep reading! It is a Chinese celebration that recognises the beginning of Spring and the start of the New Year in the lunisolar calendar. It is a time where people enjoy yummy food and carry out traditions that symbolises abundance and togetherness, which contribute to underpinning the Montessori values. The Lunar New Year is the most important holiday and celebration in China and is quite significant in other countries such as South Korea and Vietnam.
The date is determined by the lunar calendar, and falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice on December 21. The Lunar New Year is celebrated on a different date each year as a result, but it is usually celebrated around the 21st of January to the 20th of February.
Lunar New Year lasts for 15 to 16 days as it begins with the new moon and ends on the following full moon. So, it is a lovely time of celebration with the people that matter most! Because this is a time for celebration, it is common to wear red throughout the holiday as the colour red symbolises strength and prosperity, and is a lucky colour for the Chinese community! After the holiday is over, people tend to return to their usual everyday clothes and activities.
At our centres, we love getting into the spirit of celebrations! This week the children have participated in the Lunar New Year spirit by doing various arts and crafts activities, while our educators taught them all about the holiday! Culture and community holds a large significance in our Montessori curriculum. The cultural component embedded within the Montessori curriculum is vital to expose the children to different cultures, celebrations and traditions across the globe. Cultural lessons teach children about different ways of living, types of food, traditional clothing and the range of environments people live in. Culture is important to learn as they are able to gain insight into the interconnectedness of various traditions and ways of living.
If you would like more information about our centres and our Montessori curriculum, click here!
