Hampshire House
Lunar New Year Celebrations at Hampshire House
As the red, yellow and orange lanterns swung in the trees and the sound of drums heralded the arrival of the dragon procession down the Tivoli lawn, little Emily let out an excited gasp, grabbed her teachers arm and cried out “This is my home”, “This is my home”!
How lovely it has been to see the sense of belonging and connections established across Hampshire over the past two weeks, as our children have celebrated the Lunar New Year festivities. The shared experience of celebrating together fosters a sense of community and cultural pride. Whether it's making wishes for the new year, creating paper lanterns together, learning to use chopsticks, dabbling in calligraphy or watching the lion dancing parade, the joy of celebration spreads among young children, laying the foundation for a lifelong appreciation of tradition and togetherness.
Across the Toddlers and Preschool classrooms, the children had the opportunity to try their hand at Chinese calligraphy, using brushes to create simple symbols like "福" (fu, meaning good fortune) and "春" (chun, meaning spring). This activity was an enjoyable way for the children to learn about writing and art while also appreciating the beauty and history of Chinese characters.
The children also had the opportunity to practice using chopsticks. Learning to use chopsticks can certainly be both a fun and challenging activity for young children! The children enjoyed picking up the toy noodles and we were very impressed at how adept many of the children are at manipulating their chopsticks.
In Preschool Yellow Ms Karen Ng also shared with the children her own Lunar New Year traditions, sharing a simplified version of a traditional Chinese tea ceremony. This experience allowed the children to explore the customs of hospitality and mindfulness while enjoying the calming ritual of serving tea to one another. It also provides an opportunity for the children to practice patience and respect.
The children have thoroughly enjoyed learning all about the 2025 year of the Snake and discovering the significance of the zodiac animals, red envelopes, lychees and kite flying. The Teachers have used an array of stories, songs, and dance to immerse children in the traditions, helping them understand the importance of family, renewal, and good fortune.
Ms Simone Cooke
Director of Hampshire House
