LAWRENCE, NEW YORK (FEBRUARY 2025)—Lawrence UPK students recently celebrated the Lunar New Year with a series of engaging and educational activities designed to immerse children in the traditions of this important holiday.
The celebration began with a reading of My First Chinese New Year by Karen Katz, a colorful story that introduces young readers to the customs and culture surrounding the Lunar New Year in China. After the story, the children learned about the traditional customs of the holiday, such as the significance of red and yellow colors, dragon parades, and red envelopes.
The lively dragon parade was a particular highlight. Students proudly marched around the classroom, embodying the spirit of this vibrant tradition. Following the parade, students rotated through a series of interactive learning centers, where they were able to explore various aspects of Chinese New Year.
In one center, children practiced sorting items into yellow and red groups, colors that held cultural significance during the holiday. Another center encouraged the students to trace pictures of traditional symbols of the holiday, while a Chinese sensory bin gave them a hands-on experience with materials tied to the culture.
The celebration also included imaginative play, where students pretended to work in a Chinese restaurant, further broadening their understanding of the holiday. Additionally, drawing upon their knowledge from an ongoing architecture unit, students used construction paper to create their structures, comparing their creations to the size of iconic Lunar New Year symbols like lanterns, dragons, and red envelopes. The event provided a memorable learning experience, fostering curiosity, creativity, and cultural awareness in Lawrence’s youngest learners.
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Photos 1-9: Lawrence UPK’s Lunar New Year celebration
