Chinese New Year is a special time when families celebrate the start of a new year on the Chinese calendar. It’s a fun and colorful holiday filled with traditions and exciting activities!
During Chinese New Year, people believe that loud noises can scare away evil spirits. One way to make these noises is by using firecrackers and snaps. These are small things that make a loud “pop” when you throw them on the ground.
In places like Chinatown, there are big parades with lots of people, music, and dancing. One of the most exciting parts is the dragon dance. The dragon is a long, colorful costume that many people wear together. They dance and move like a dragon to bring good luck.
At the parade, I help the dragons by throwing snaps at their feet. This helps chase away the evil spirits. My friend says that only big kids can do this, so my little brother has to wait until he’s older. But I throw extra snaps for him so he can still be part of the fun!
Besides parades and firecrackers, families also enjoy special meals, give each other red envelopes with money inside, and decorate their homes with red lanterns. Red is a lucky color that brings happiness and good fortune.
Did you know that each year in the Chinese calendar is named after an animal? There are 12 animals, like the dragon, tiger, and rabbit. People believe that the animal of the year can bring special luck and qualities to those born in that year.
Chinese New Year is a wonderful time to learn about different cultures and have fun with family and friends. Whether you’re throwing snaps or watching a dragon dance, there’s always something exciting to do!
Make Your Own Dragon Dance: Gather some colorful materials like paper, fabric, or ribbons. Work with your friends or family to create a dragon costume. Once your dragon is ready, practice moving together like a dragon. Can you make your dragon dance to music? Try to mimic the movements of a real dragon dance and think about how it might bring good luck!
Sound Exploration: Explore different ways to make loud noises like the firecrackers used during Chinese New Year. Use everyday items like pots, pans, or even your hands to create sounds. Which sounds are the loudest? How do you think these sounds could scare away evil spirits? Discuss with your friends or family why loud noises might be important in celebrations.
Animal Year Match-Up: Learn about the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. Draw or find pictures of each animal and try to match them with their names. Once you know the animals, find out which animal represents the year you were born. Discuss with your classmates or family what special qualities or luck your animal might bring you!
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
“I throw tiny firecrackers and snaps on our front doorstep to keep out the evil spirits. At the parade in Chinatown, I help the dragons chase away the evil spirits by throwing the loud snaps at their feet. My friend says only big girls can do this, so my baby brother has to wait until he’s older. I throw extra snaps for him.”
