Shanghai Utsukushigaoka Montessori Kindergarten assists in the growth of children by the educational idea of Montessori

Although the weather in Shanghai is still cold in February, Utsukushigaoka Kindergarten had organized various fun and warm activities to fill the kindergarten with warmth in February. Let's take a look together!

Mamemaki Event

On February 2nd, Utsukushigaoka Kindergarten held a Japanese Mamemaki cultural event. Welcoming spring is very important in Japan, and the custom of scattering beans before the first day of spring originated in China as a New Year's ritual to get rid of ghosts and exorcise evil spirits. It was originally held at the court in ancient times, but later popularized in general households and has a long history as a representative seasonal event in Japan.

The children of the International Department came to the music hall with great excitement and stood in a line outside the designated circle, listening to the Japanese teacher's explanation of the activity. Each child was given a few "ghost-exorcising" soybeans, and then waited with anticipation for the next activity with the sound of drums.

"Monsters" are coming! The children grabbed soy beans and sprinkled them as hard as they could. Although they were a little scared to see the ‘monsters’ played by the teachers of the Japanese Department, they all plucked up their courage and bravely dispersed the demons to bring in good luck for the new year.

With the concerted efforts of all the children, the ‘monsters' were driven away! Teachers were proud of their courage. At the end of the activity, the teachers and children picked up the soybeans on the ground and cleaned up the concert hall to make it available to the children for the next activity. Thank you all for your help and care for the environment.

Special Handcraft Activities

Mandarin City Campus held a new round of Chinese New Year craft activities after the Spring Festival. The children in the blue group folded paper and then trimmed a beautiful windowpane with scissors; the yellow group children cut and pasted colorful paper to create New Year's fireworks; and the children in the red&pink group folded small dumplings with colorful paper and then collaged them to create a Chinese dragon. The handcraft activity was also an immersive learning experience of traditional Chinese New Year culture.

Teachers of the International Department also actively encouraged children to help each other to complete their own works during the craft activities. This also reflects the educational goal of Montessori education, which focuses on developing the ability of caring for others. Finally, the children were proud to finish their works!

Let's take a look at the Valentine's Day craft activities in Pudong Campus! The children were drawing hearts for the Valentine's Day candy bags and preparing cute scrapbooking decorations. The children were free to color and collage the hearts, using their creativity to create a piece of art that was full of the children's own characteristics.

Valentine's Day Event

February 14th is the traditional western Valentine's Day, but Valentine's Day is not only limited to the expression of love between lovers, it can also be an opportunity to share love and joy among people. Our special Valentine's Day activity allowed the children to prepare their own love candies and distribute them to their classmates during the activity, so that the children could learn to experience the joy of sharing with others.

The children of the International Department entered the classroom in the morning with their own carefully prepared candies and chocolates. During the activity, children from each class took turns carrying bags full of candies and putting them into their friends' gift bags, and happily said 'Happy Valentine's Day! 'The children were also very excited to receive the candies.

The Valentine's Day activity at Pudong Campus was equally joyful. The children exchanged candies one by one, and sweet smiles filled everyone's faces. We wish everyone a day full of love and warmth with sweet candies and the joy of sharing!

Thank you for browsing! 

See you next time!