Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most significant holidays in China and is recognized and celebrated by ethnic Chinese around the world. It is a time of reunion and celebration of friendships.
Kicking off ELFA’s e-ambassador day with the children from ELFA Chinese Preschool @ Pandan Valley and Hougang, as well as children from China (Foshan) via Zoom
Our children from ELFA Chinese Preschool @ Pandan Valley and Hougang centres were thrilled to have celebrated it together with their peers from ELFA Preschool @ Foshan (China). The children were so excited seeing their friends from different part of the continent, streaming in live via Zoom.
At ELFA, we believe in intercultural learning as it broadens our children’s knowledge and inspires exchanges of tradition and practices. The children were intrigued to see familiar mid-autumn traditions practiced by their China counterparts, including consumption of mooncakes, lantern making and moon gazing. To enhance the children’s bilingual fluency, interesting festive terminology was also exchanged between Singapore and China students.
Apart from learning, we also wanted the children to have fun and experience this traditional Chinese festival in fun and engaging ways. There was also a story-telling segment, sharing the story behind the festival, accompanied by traditional dance and songs.
Our ELFA children at ELFA Chinese Preschool @ Hougang are excited and happy to be interacting with their china counterparts.
Our ELFA Chinese Preschool @ Hougang dancing to the rhythm of traditional songs in relation to the moon.
Another significant part of the Mid-autumn Festival is the practice of carrying lanterns and solving ‘lantern’ riddles! In ancient times, riddles were a way to convey secret messages, which is an engaging way to train our children’s language fluency and problem-solving skills.
Our children participated in a handicraft session, making rabbit-shaped lanterns signifying harmony and joy. The session brought out the children’s creative streak through their creation.
The rabbit lantern that were personally made by the children made mid-autumn much more memorable
Exposing our children to more cultural traditions was a spectacular display of Wushu from the students of Foshan. Our children were eager to emulate and learn during the Wushu exercise.
Our Senior Education Specialist, Mrs Angeline Teo shared that it is important to continue with these cultural exchanges as they promote learning and understanding of other’s culture and tradition.