"Wow, that’s so cool!" "This is fun, let me do it myself..." exclaimed a young child, who has been learning Chinese for just a year and a half, as she enthusiastically expressed her desire to work independently without any help from the teacher. This heartwarming scene took place during the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration at the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center’s Irvine Chinese Immersion Preschool.
On this special day, the children, with the guidance of their teachers, participated in a hands-on mooncake-making activity. Each child was fully engaged in stuffing, pressing, and molding their mooncakes, enjoying a festive celebration that blended learning with fun. Not only did they discover the traditions and history of the Mid-Autumn Festival, but they also experienced the delight of creating mooncakes from scratch, immersing themselves in the charm of this traditional Chinese holiday.
Immersive Learning through Storytelling
At Irvine Chinese Immersion Preschool, children are immersed in a Chinese-speaking environment daily, helping them progress from unfamiliarity to confidently expressing themselves in Mandarin. As part of the Mid-Autumn Festival activities, the teachers gathered the children to listen attentively to the legendary story of Chang'e flying to the moon. Through vivid storytelling, the children were transported into a mythical world, capturing their imaginations. The story not only introduced them to the festival’s significance but also conveyed the value of reunion and family, deepening their appreciation for this culturally rich holiday.
Hands-on Fun with Mooncake Making
After the storytelling session, the most anticipated moment arrived—making mooncakes! Under the careful instruction of their teachers, each child learned how to fill, press, and mold the dough. Beaming with pride, they displayed their pink mooncakes, each imprinted with unique designs, reflecting their creativity and hard work.
Learning Through Play
The teachers emphasized that this activity was not just about fun; it also helped the children develop important gross and fine motor skills while deepening their understanding of traditional Chinese festivals. As they shared their success in making mooncakes with one another, the children experienced the joy of accomplishment and the excitement of cheering for others. Once the mooncakes were completed, the children eagerly packed up their handmade treats, excited to take them home and share with their families, spreading the sweetness of the festival to their loved ones.
Sowing Cultural Seeds
This special event allowed the children to learn about the Mid-Autumn Festival through play while also gaining a deeper understanding of family and togetherness. Through activities like this, the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center is planting seeds of cultural pride in the hearts of young children, ensuring that they carry forward the beautiful traditions of the Mid-Autumn Festival for years to come.
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「哇，好酷啊！」 「好好玩，讓我自己來……」
在這特別的日子裡，小朋友們在老師的協助下，親手製作月餅。
透過故事沉浸式學習
平日裡，
親手製作月餅的樂趣
故事結束後，小朋友們迎來最期待的環節 - 親手製作月餅！在老師的細心指導下，孩子們學習如何包餡、按壓、
在遊戲中學習
幼兒園老師們表示，這不僅是一場趣味十足的活動，
文化的種子
這次活動讓小朋友們在歡樂中學習中秋文化，
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