Chinese New Year

We had fun looking at the Chinese New Year celebrations, how Chinese people would spring clean their homes, to brush away bad luck. Watched some clips of the dragon dances. Read about how the Chinese dragon is seen as helpful, friendly creatures, that are linked to good luck, long life and wisdom. I read this lovely book Lanterns and Firecrackers which the preschoolers I care for really enjoyed, it talks through why the Chinese clean their homes, wear new clothes, use firecrackers etc to celebrate the new year and scare away bad luck.

 We then made and decorated some paper lanterns. Then instead of just painting pictures of the Chinese dragons I thought it would be a good idea to use hand prints to make dragon pictures. after discussing with the children the colours they had seen in the pictures and video clips of the dragons, they set to work to create some beautiful pictures.

Then instead of just painting pictures of the Chinese dragons I thought it would be a good idea to use hand prints to make dragon pictures. after discussing with the children the colours they had seen in the pictures and video clips of the dragons, they set to work to create some beautiful pictures.

The stories we enjoyed.