Winter Solstice at Nursery

"The Winter Solstice is as significant as the New Year; even small reunions are precious." As the Northern Hemisphere welcomes the year's shortest day and longest night, the Nursery at Hiba Academy Hangzhou organised a series of rich and engaging Winter Solstice activities. Designed to help children experience the charm of traditional culture, enjoy hands-on learning and strengthen peer and family bonds, these activities filled the cold season with warmth, care and joy.

At the start of the programme, teachers introduced the Winter Solstice through picture books, animated short films and nursery rhymes, gently unveiling the mystery of this traditional solar term. Using clear and accessible language, teachers shared the folk saying "Eating dumplings at the Winter Solstice keeps your ears from freezing", while highlighting regional customs: making dumplings in northern China and rolling tangyuan in the south. 

Through direct comparison, children experienced the richness of regional cultures and gradually gained an understanding of different traditions, customs and ways of celebrating special festivals.

At the same time, real-life objects and seasonal images were used to help children understand the climatic characteristics and agricultural significance of the Winter Solstice. Curious hands were frequently raised as children asked questions, planting the seeds of traditional culture through relaxed and joyful interaction.

The liveliest moment came during the 'Little Hands, Big Flavours' cooking activities. With guidance from teachers, our youngest children progressed from tentative attempts to more confident movements, combining rolling, kneading and shaping actions to create colourful tangyuan, carefully placed on trays and full of childlike charm.

Children in the EY3 became 'little chefs', learning from parent volunteers how to roll dough, add fillings and seal dumplings. Although some creations were imperfect, their focus and enthusiasm never wavered.

EY4 pupils demonstrated even greater curiosity and creativity, mixing vegetable and fruit juices with flour and using rolling pins and moulds to create naturally coloured 'rainbow dumplings', as well as auspicious shapes such as gold ingots and little fish. By using natural ingredients, children developed an awareness of healthy eating and gradually formed positive dietary habits. The Nursery was filled with the gentle scent of flour and bursts of laughter, as hands-on practice made traditional culture tangible and meaningful.

Beyond cooking, a variety of traditional folk games added further excitement. In 'Painting the Nine-Nine Winter Plum Chart', children drew nine plum blossoms, each with nine petals, colouring one petal each day from the Winter Solstice onwards. As they waited for spring to arrive, they experienced the passage of time and the rhythms of nature, developing observation skills and patience—laying the foundation for becoming global citizens who respect nature and value cultural heritage.

During Winter Solstice Poetry Recitals, children recited classical poems such as Winter Solstice and The Lesser Solstice in their young voices, appreciating the rhythm and beauty of traditional poetry. This nurturing of cultural identity and confidence provides the basis for understanding diversity and embracing different civilisations.

In the outdoor 'Warm Winter Treasure Hunt', children searched the playground for Winter Solstice lucky bags containing folk knowledge and seasonal blessings. Through running, collaboration and shared discovery, they gained joy and learning while strengthening communication skills, teamwork, respect for others and a sense of shared achievement. These folk games, presented in playful ways, encouraged children to engage closely with traditional culture while fostering confidence, inclusivity and cooperation.

Through these Winter Solstice activities, children not only learned about traditional customs but also developed practical and social skills, sowing the seeds of cultural inheritance in their hearts. The Nursery at Hiba Academy Hangzhou will continue to explore the educational value of traditional culture by creating more meaningful, heartfelt activities. Through experience and companionship, children will grow with joy, making traditional festivals an essential bridge between home and Nursery, passing on cultural heritage, and empowering them to become young ambassadors for cultural understanding within their communities.