Objective

By the end of this lesson, the 2-year-old student will have a basic understanding of Chinese New Year and its traditions.

Materials and Prep

• Red construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Markers or crayons
• Optional: Chinese New Year decorations (if available)

No prior knowledge or preparation is required for this lesson.

Activities

1. Create a Chinese New Year Card:

   Guide the student to fold a piece of red construction paper in half to make a card. Help them cut out simple shapes like a circle or a rectangle from another piece of red paper. Assist them in gluing the shapes onto the front of the card to create a festive design. Encourage them to use markers or crayons to add additional decorations or write a message inside the card.

2. Make a Dragon Puppet:

   Show the student how to draw a dragon's head on a piece of red paper and cut it out. Then, help them cut long strips of paper for the dragon's body and tail. Assist them in attaching the strips to the dragon's head using glue or tape. Encourage them to decorate the dragon with markers or crayons. Once completed, they can hold the dragon puppet and pretend it's dancing for Chinese New Year celebrations.

3. Learn about Lucky Symbols:

   Show the student pictures or illustrations of lucky symbols associated with Chinese New Year, such as the Chinese character for "luck" (福) or the red envelope (红包). Explain that these symbols are believed to bring good fortune. Encourage the student to draw or color these symbols on a separate piece of paper.

Talking Points

• "Chinese New Year is a special holiday celebrated by many people in China and around the world."
• "During Chinese New Year, people decorate their homes with red decorations to bring good luck."
• "People also give each other red envelopes with money inside as a symbol of good fortune."
• "Dragons are a symbol of strength and good luck in Chinese culture."
• "The color red is considered lucky during Chinese New Year."
• "People celebrate Chinese New Year with fireworks, parades, and delicious food."
• "It's fun to make Chinese New Year crafts like cards and dragon puppets."
• "Chinese New Year is a time to spend with family and friends, and to wish each other good luck for the coming year."