Today we learnt all about the Chinese New Year as tomorrow it will be the first day of celebrations.  We learnt all about some of the customs and traditions that are celebrated and made some lanterns, dragon masks , and animal masks.  We also tasted some Chinese food and were very pleased to go home with some Chinese sweeties that Megan kindly brought in for us all.

What did we learn ?

We learnt that there are lots of preparations before the actual day!

This year is the ‘Year of the Rooster’.

Houses are cleaned from top to bottom.

Houses are decorated with garlands and lanterns.

Red is the colour that is used all around the house to help to scare off the dragon.

Lanterns are lit in houses and in streets to help to scare away the monster that appeared that first new year.

Families come together to eat a big feast.

Boys and girls look forward to receiving a red envelope hidden under their pillow (it has money in it !).

Fireworks light up the sky.