On Friday we were invited to spend the morning at Ducks to begin the Chinese New Year celebrations and watch lions in the playground! As we made our way to school that morning William and Oliver closely questioned us as to the nature of the lions. Would they be able to stroke them? Do lions bite?
We left Oliver and William in their classroom and popped down the road for a coffee! On our return the playground gate was shut and we were told to watch through the railings - maybe they were going to feed our children to the lions! Suddenly drums began beating loudly and music started playing and the children, who were all dressed in Chinese costume, paraded out and round the playground.
When they were all in position two lion dancers came out and performed.
They were then joined by two larger lions. The dancing was fantastic and another amazing chance for us all to expeience more of Chinese culture.
After the parade we collected William and Oliver and went to different classes to partcipate in activities. Oliver and William had to collect four stamps to then be able to collect a prize. We also went to get a prize from the entertainers. It was candy floss, much to the delight of the children and dismay of the teachers!
In the dinning room there were demonstrations of some Chinese crafts. One man was making pictures with heated sugar that then set and were attached to a stick and given to the children.
Another was doing glassblowing but with sugar which is a traditional Chinese art form that is at risk of dying out.
William and Oliver decided to have a go at the chopstick trick and managed to pick six fluffy balls out of a bowl using chopsticks! They also made dragon bookmarks, did a Chinese version of an egg and spoon race the rice ball and spoon, played hoopla with characters from a Chinese cartoon and, of course, had a snack!
We left Oliver and William in their classroom and popped down the road for a coffee! On our return the playground gate was shut and we were told to watch through the railings - maybe they were going to feed our children to the lions! Suddenly drums began beating loudly and music started playing and the children, who were all dressed in Chinese costume, paraded out and round the playground.
When they were all in position two lion dancers came out and performed.
They were then joined by two larger lions. The dancing was fantastic and another amazing chance for us all to expeience more of Chinese culture.
After the parade we collected William and Oliver and went to different classes to partcipate in activities. Oliver and William had to collect four stamps to then be able to collect a prize. We also went to get a prize from the entertainers. It was candy floss, much to the delight of the children and dismay of the teachers!
In the dinning room there were demonstrations of some Chinese crafts. One man was making pictures with heated sugar that then set and were attached to a stick and given to the children.
William and Oliver decided to have a go at the chopstick trick and managed to pick six fluffy balls out of a bowl using chopsticks! They also made dragon bookmarks, did a Chinese version of an egg and spoon race the rice ball and spoon, played hoopla with characters from a Chinese cartoon and, of course, had a snack!
It was an excellent morning and got us in to the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) spirit. Later in the week we were invited back in to school to Oliver and William's end of term party. All of the parents brought in a Chinese dish and we had a Chinese New Years eve banquet!
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