The Mid-Autumn Festival is a special holiday celebrated in many Asian cultures, including Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean communities. It usually takes place in the fall when the moon is full and bright. Families come together to enjoy mooncakes, light colourful lanterns, and share traditional stories, especially the famous legend of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess. In many ways, the Mid-Autumn Festival is similar to Thanksgiving in Western cultures, it’s a time to give thanks, celebrate the harvest, and spend meaningful moments with loved ones. In the Toddler Room at RisingOaks Early Learning | St. Luke, we introduce celebrations like the Mid-Autumn Festival to help children learn about cultural traditions in a meaningful and respectful way. Exploring holidays from around the world supports children in understanding diversity, expressing their own identities, and appreciating those of others. By sharing and celebrating cultural traditions, we promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in our classroom. These experiences help nurture empathy, self-expression, and a strong sense of belonging for every child and family in our care. To create a warm and inviting atmosphere, we set up a special provocation at the entrance of our centre. A festive display table featured traditional mooncakes, an elegant tea set, and beautifully illustrated books about the Mid-Autumn Festival. We also showcased documentation other program rooms, making children’s learning visible and highlighting their engagement with this cultural celebration. This intentional setup encouraged both children and families to pause, explore, and engage in meaningful conversations about the festival. Adding to the excitement, lanterns with riddles, a beloved festival tradition, were hung throughout the centre and classrooms. Families were invited to read and solve the riddles together, fostering joyful participation and a sense of community. Our toddlers also enjoyed making their very own mooncake cookies! They eagerly participated in mixing the ingredients and pressing the dough into moulds to create beautiful designs. Once the cookies were baked, children gathered around a long table to share their treats together, embracing the spirit of family and togetherness that is at the heart of the Mid-Autumn Festival. To further enrich the celebration, our children listened to the enchanting story of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess, and her Jade Rabbit, which sparked curiosity, wonder, and storytelling. This celebration not only introduced children to a meaningful cultural tradition but also strengthened their sense of community and belonging. Through shared experiences, we continue to build a classroom where all children feel seen, heard, and valued.
