Our School-age 2 children continued to explore tin cans as part of our project. We incorporated celebrating Chinese New Year into our project by using our exploratory play skills as we implemented tin cans to make a Chinese New Year dragon and had a dragon dance. In preparation for this day, the children made lanterns, Chinese rattle drums and Chinese hats, which they used during the dragon dance. First, we started by watching videos of dragon dances during Chinese New Year. The children were very intrigued with the music and festivities during the celebration. We then painted different sizes of tin cans with red and yellow acrylic paint. While the children were painting Michael asked, “Why are we using only red and yellow paint?” Then Dylan answered, “I think because the flag of China is red and yellow.” We also had a discussion on the significance of red in Chinese culture and how it brings good luck and take away any evil or bad luck. Minas said, “I will put red on my door so that I can have good luck.” After the cans were painted, the children used a long nail and hammer to put a hole in each one. When it was Ethan’s turn, he commented, “This nail is so long that you can hit hard without hurting yourself.” We then used twine to string all the cans together when Hubert enquired, “What are we going to use for the head.” The next day we took a red metal flowerpot and used a scissors to cut the shape of the mouth. The children then cut white paper and hot glued them for the teeth when Will said, “That looks very sharp and scary.” Then Mason added, “That is scary.” Oliver then said, “We need to put the fire in its mouth.” The children used strips of red and yellow tissue paper to make the fire in the mouth. The dragon was finished and the children were waiting in anticipation to celebrate Chinese New Year when Wyatt asked, “Why are we doing a dragon dance when it is the year of the Tiger?” Then Dylan answered, “They always do dragon dance no matter what year it is.” Then Lauren added, “Maybe to scare away the evil.” The big day had arrived and we went to the gym and listened to music from Chinese New Year dragon dance. The children wore their Chinese hats and took turns dancing with the dragon while the others shook their rattle drums and paraded with their lanterns
The children developed skills in risk taking, turn taking, oral communication, creativity diversity and cultural awareness.
