Stepping Into the Chinese New Year Buzz

“Teacher, look! So many lanterns!” Jia Le exclaimed, eyes wide as he pointed up at the rows of bright red and gold.

Everywhere they looked, there was something to discover—vibrant decorations, colourful lanterns, and festive food displays that brought the season to life. The atmosphere felt lively and joyful, like the whole street was celebrating together.

Even though Chinatown was bustling with people, our children from Little Olive Tree (Yishun) stayed calm and comfortable. They held on to their buddies, listened for instructions, and moved as a group. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, they looked engaged and curious, taking in the sights with a quiet confidence that made teachers smile.

This learning journey was designed to help children:

·      Develop awareness and appreciation of Chinese New Year traditions and cultural practices

·      Recognise common festive items such as lanterns, red packets, and traditional snacks

We wanted the children to experience culture not just through pictures or classroom activities, but through real places, real sounds, and real moments.

As we explored, the children were quick to make connections.

“Teacher, my house also got this one!” a child said proudly, pointing at a hanging decoration.

Another chimed in, “My mummy put lantern outside our door!”

A few children scanned the street eagerly and asked: “Teacher… will we see lion dance?”

Their anticipation showed how much they already knew about Chinese New Year traditions and how excited they were to spot something familiar.

When we walked past the festive food displays, the children’s noses seemed to lead the way.

“Wah, smells nice!” one child said, leaning forward.

“Is that bak kwa?” another asked, eyes fixed on the snacks.

Some children commented on the bright colours around them ,“So shiny!” “So red!” ,while others asked thoughtful questions:

“Why people hang so many lanterns?”

“Why do we put money inside the ang pow?”

“Why everyone buy so many snacks?”

These little conversations were precious. They reminded us that learning happens best when children are curious, safe, and free to wonder out loud.

The trip was meaningful and enjoyable for both teachers and children.

Teachers noticed how the children looked out for one another in the crowd, waiting for friends, calling out gently when someone fell behind, and checking in with a quick, “You okay?”

There were also sweet moments of shared excitement:

“Teacher, take photo! I want show my Papa and Mama!”

At different points, children paused just to stare, taking it all in. Some held their teacher’s hand a little tighter when the crowd got louder, then relaxed again once they found their bearings. It was a beautiful reminder that courage can look like small steps forward—one observation, one question, one smile at a time.

Throughout the outing, the children remained actively engaged, curious, and responsive. Teachers were encouraged to see them confidently exploring the environment, asking questions, and expressing their thoughts.

Even in a busy setting, the group managed the experience well—making it a positive, enriching learning journey that supported cultural understanding, language development, and real-world learning.

Back in class, we will continue building on what the children saw and talked about by:

·      Revisiting key festive items (lanterns, red packets, traditional snacks)

·      Retelling favourite moments through sharing circles and simple drawings

·      Exploring the meanings behind common Chinese New Year traditions in age-appropriate ways

Thank you to our teachers and families for supporting meaningful learning beyond the classroom.

Experiences like these help children grow not only in knowledge, but also in confidence, curiosity, and appreciation of the world around them!