Earth Day is a wonderful opportunity to show your children how we can make the earth a better place.  The concept of environmental protection and recycling might seem foreign to younger children, but when you make it relatable, much like learning a second language, your children will grasp the concept very quickly.  So how do you make it relatable?  Lead by example is the best way to teach children.

Mid-Autumn Festival is a really fun holiday for the kids learning Mandarin Chinese because of all the kids-friendly traditions and delicious Chinese desserts.  It is probably the second most important Chinese holiday after Chinese New Year.  There are many ways to celebrate the Chinese Mid Autumn Festival with your little one, from lantern making to pomelo hat wearing.  There are also a lot of legends and folklore about Mid Autumn Festivals that you can enjoy with your child.

We are kicking off October this year with a visit to the local pumpkin patch!  This weekend we went to Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch.  Every year they set up a beautiful pumpkin patch in an empty lot next to a small park.  It’s beautifully decorated with a wide range of pumpkins, scarecrows, witches, families of skeletons (with pets, too), and many more. 

This mooncake papercraft is the perfect introduction to the world of origami!  I made this origami with my nephew of 3 and half and it was a piece of cake for him or mooncake I would say.  It’s definitely the easiest mooncake paper craft you can make with preschoolers and kindergarteners.  Not to mention that they get to learn about the Chinese character “month/moon” [月 | yuè] while they are at it!

The Chinese New Year is a truly magical time for adults and kids alike.  It’s a long celebration that begins a month before the actual date and ends 15 days after (Lantern Festival).  The Chinese New Year is a great way to spark your kids’ interest in the Chinese language because of all the creative stories and symbols built around this holiday.