"Did you know 'Nian' is a monster? Do you know what it fears most?"
On January 11, 2025, the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center hosted a "CHINESE STORY TIME" event, welcoming 18 families.
The lively, warm atmosphere engaged children in learning Chinese through multimedia storytelling, dynamic performances, and hands-on crafts.
Designed for children ages 3 to 5, the session featured the legend of "Nian".
The teacher vividly acted out Nian’s fearsome appearance and habits using expressive gestures and movements.
Most families attending included parents with children, and some spanned three generations, creating a heartwarming scene of shared learning.
The story explained how Nian emerges from the sea during Lunar New Year to devour animals and people, but it is terrified of red, firelight, and loud noises.
To scare it away, people hang red couplets, wear red clothes, and set off firecrackers—traditions still celebrated today.
The teacher’s lively reenactment of Nian’s panic at red decorations, red clothes, and firecrackers filled the room with laughter and excitement.
After the story, in honor of the Year of the Snake, families created "spinning snakes".
Children eagerly decorated their snakes with colorful patterns and cut them out with parental help.
The event ended with joyful smiles and family photos, making it a memorable, fun-filled day.
Since its founding, the TSAO Chinese Children’s Library at the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center has provided rich learning resources.
By blending professional Chinese instruction with creative crafts, it offers engaging experiences for families.
This "CHINESE STORY TIME" not only celebrated Chinese culture but also strengthened family bonds, earning praise from parents and children alike.
「你知道“年“是一種怪獸嗎？你知道牠最怕什麼......」！
南海岸中華文化中心1月11日舉辦2025年「中文故事時間」活動，吸引了18個家庭熱情參與，現場氣氛溫馨熱鬧。透過多媒體展示、生動表演和親子手作，讓孩子們體驗學習中文樂趣。
本次活動專為3至5歲小朋友設計，講述主題是「年獸」的傳說。老師在活動中透過生動的表情和動作，描繪出年獸的模樣與習性。當天大多數家庭都是爸媽帶著孩子前來，也有三代同堂，一起參與。
老師說，年獸每年春節會從海底爬上岸，吞食動物甚至人類。然而，它最害怕紅色、火光和爆竹聲。因此，人們過春節時會貼紅對聯、穿紅衣、燃放鞭炮，來趕走年獸，這也成為春節習俗由來。
老師以擬真的表演模擬年獸看到紅對聯、紅衣和聽見鞭炮聲時狼狽逃竄的樣子，讓孩子們驚喜不已，現場笑聲連連。說完故事後，因應蛇年，老師帶領家長和孩子們動手製作「旋轉蛇」。
只見小朋友興奮地選用五彩繽紛的色筆，畫出各種花紋的蛇，並在家長協助下剪成一條條旋轉蛇。活動結束前，大家與親手製作的旋轉蛇合影留念，為這場寓教於樂的活動畫下圓滿句點。
南海岸中華文化中心一樓的曹氏中文兒童圖書館自成立以來，致力於提供豐富多元的學習資源，結合專業中文教師與創意手作，為家庭打造歡樂學習的親子時光。
本次「中文故事時間」活動，不僅傳遞了中國文化的故事魅力，也促進了家庭間的親密互動，深受家長與孩子的喜愛。
