China’s wide range of holidays such as Spring Festival, Lantern Festival and Dragon Boat Festival are rich with history and tradition. What’s more, they are a great opportunity to bond with your child and help her connect more deeply to her roots.
Because your daily routine will be shaken up during the festivities, it’s good to talk to your child about what she should expect in the days leading up to the festival or event.
Will she go to school? Will she see her friends? Will she eat different foods or sleep at different times? Will she travel? Will she see extended family members and does she know who all of them are? What will change in her normal routine and when will things go back to normal?
You can also tell stories about past festivals in order to give him a better idea of the longstanding traditions in which he is participating. Depending on your child’s age and comprehension abilities, you can talk about the deeper significance of the festival. Who or what is being celebrated? And what does the festival really mean to you and your family?
As a parent, consider how you want your child to be involved in the festivities. What ideas are you trying to express and how can you best explain them to her? If she doesn’t fully understand it this year, that’s okay. Just have fun and look forward to the next festival!
International Sunshine Home Arts & Sciences