I know it is a little early to celebrate Chinese New Year 2008, which falls on 7th of February this year. But, I thought about doing music activities with children in kindergarten, using songs and music that introduce Chinese New Year, and wanted to get them ready early. If you are music teachers and music therapists, many of you probably have tried instrument playing or singing activity employing Chinese pentatonic. That's one of the things that I am thinking of doing..... I also thought about using a song called "Gung Hay Fat Choy - Chinese New Year Song." It sings about how people celebrate Chinese New Year in simple, but catchy melodies.

You see the picture of Chinese dumplings (and even a short photo movie below!), because I want to talk to children about Chinese New Year Dish - yes, dumplings are one of the traditional Chinese New Year entrees and perhaps, something that children are somewhat familiar with. I often like to incorporate food items with counting and simple math songs, and that's what I am planning on doing. And the other thing that I almost always love to do is using photos of real items, if I cannot bring them to sessions. It is more authentic and often time aethetically beautiful (in my opinion). So, last night, I decided to make 100 of Chinese dumplings for supper and they were delicious! Plus, I got to take pictures of dumplings while I was imagining how fun it would be to try all the Chinese New Year activities with children! 

NOTE: The tune which is played in the short movie is called "Oshogatsu," which means Japanese New Year.  

Write Comment about this entry.
Name:
E-mail
Homepage
Title:
Comment:
Code:*