Families and Celebrations Around the World
Ms Beatrice Ogando
Reception Teacher
We are delighted to share the enriching experiences our reception year children have had while exploring the theme of 'families and celebrations around the world'. Through a series of fun and interactive activities, our young learners have delved into understanding what makes a family, discovering that families are made up of people who care for and love each other. This topic was brought to life as children used 'models' to represent their families, identifying younger and older members and linking this to their numeracy skills by categorising small and large groups. This activity encouraged responsibility as they accurately represented their unique family structures. ☛ Learn More
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The literacy component of our activities was anchored by the delightful book The Bears and the Great Big Storm, which helped the children understand that not all families are the same. However, they all share one heartwarming commonality: love and care. This book also fostered a sense of unity within our class, reinforcing the idea that our classroom is indeed a family. Through these discussions and stories, children learned the value of kindness and respect, as they appreciated the diversity within their peer group.
Cultural awareness was a significant highlight, as children studied various celebrations from around the world. The children embraced different traditions, songs, dances, and foods, promoting an appreciation of diverse cultures. Celebrations such as the mid-autumn festival and lantern festival in China, and other countries around the world, were explored through reading the core book ‘The Mid-Autumn Festival’. They were engaged in making lanterns and playing the Touhu game. The children also discovered Loy Krathong from Thailand and Vietnamese Children’s Day, gaining insight into their origins, meanings, and common practices like the full moon and lanterns. These activities not only expanded their knowledge but also instilled a sense of integrity as they respectfully learned about and celebrated cultural differences.
This thematic journey has not only supported academic development but also enhanced social-emotional growth, nurturing global citizenship. By learning about different family structures and global celebrations, our children demonstrated courage in exploring new concepts and empathy towards others' traditions and lifestyles. They are more culturally aware and empathetic, embodying our school's core values in everything they do.