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Nania News
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 At nania corner
December 2006 (E62)
Dear parents,
The children are really getting into the Christmas spirit. In the centre of the display corner, we placed a “Star Windows calendar”. Each day before snack, four children approach the display corner. One of them opens one of the calendar star windows while the other three children add handmade animals or gnomes carefully to the display. Every child will have a chance to perform this ceremony until all the windows are open. The children are looking forward to the time when the last window will be opened as it means we will then celebrate Christmas together.
Some of the children were excited when a sunbird came into the garden to make a nest and lay eggs. It was an interesting experience for the children to observe how the sunbird built her nest. One girl, who observed a black strip near the bird’s eyes, said “The bird is wearing sunglasses!” We all laughed together.
I was busy writing the children’s comment cards last week. I have had a wonderful year with the children in the English Class. I am glad to see their progress day by day. Their plays always open my eyes to a new world which is full with imagination. My family members who saw the children’s pictures remarked that they are so cheerful and beautiful. In my opinion, their smiles and laughter are the precious gifts that spur me on.
I am also glad that the parents are getting closer. Some of the families have begun to visit each other. Sometimes they hold picnics together, join in the activities organized by other mothers and help each other in many ways. I am amazed by this new web of relationships.
The end of the year draws near and our school break is just around the corner. I wish all of you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I anticipate a great time with all the children in 2007.
Teacher Thian
Note: Attached with this news letter is a letter from a mother. I thank you for her contribution. I hope to hear from more of you too.
Dear Parents,
I am Fong Lin, the mother of Jing Qi and Shu Qing. I am writing this letter to share my opinion and concerns with you.
I believe that we all place our children in Nania for certain reasons. My husband and I are the same. We hope that our children can have a happy and healthy childhood, just like we did when we were growing up. The environment and tempo of life in our society are very different from the past. To have a simple yet happy childhood seems to be very difficult in this modern era.
Luckily, we discovered Taska Nania, a kindergarten based on Rudolf Steiner’s education method, when we moved to Penang. If you have come across educational books written by Rudolf Steiner, you will understand the nature of children from the age of 0-7 years old. Taska Nania emphasizes on the rhythm of daily activities which is crucial to children’s growth. Actually, repetition and rhythm are the key elements in Waldorf kindergarten.
Our children experience the same routine and rhythmic time table in Nania from 9.00am to 2.30pm. But does this continue when we bring them back home? I believe that the teachers in Taska Nania hope that our children can have a rhythmic lifestyle even at home. I also feel that parents want to incorporate this good practice into their daily live so that our children can flow from the orderly school rhythm to a similarly enriching home rhythm. So how shall we start?
First of all, we need to assess our current family routine and consider the routine that is needed by our children. Then we can try to change the rhythm of our daily lives. I believe the teachers in Nania are willing to guide us. (Parents can refer to At Nania 4 where Junko shared about repetition which is attached with this news letter. Junko wrote a column “At Nania” in Nania News to talk about the Whys and How we do things at Nania. You can visit to our homepage www.taskanania.com to read the 10 series of At Nania. The administrator also can print them for you if you need a copy from us. From Teacher Thian)
I understand that it is not easy to practice a rhythmic life schedule. In my family, we are trying to adjust our lifestyle by adopting routine and rhythm into our time table, for example: story telling before bed time, reciting grace before and after our meals. Other than this, we also let our children help to make noodles or bread. Actually, I am in the early stages of implementing these practices. I want to work together with the kindergarten to deepen and enhance my children’s lives.
“Actually, the rhythmic life is the easier life. The more rhythmic their life is, the healthier the children will be. I know that this modern era is a time that hardly follows any rhythm because the adults’ rhythm is easily disrupted. But Rudolf Steiner insisted that we have to maintain the rhythm as this is very important for a child’s growth.”
If you are of the same opinion, why not start to practice a rhythmic daily schedule with your children? We hope that there will be more practitioners so that we can help and support each other.
I have moved to Penang for two years. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the teachers in Nania for their help and sharing. I am happy that the class teacher allows me to share my opinion in this news letter.
Fong Lin
Coming events
Chinese New Year Festival (26th January 2007)
For the year 2007, Chinese New Year falls on 18th February 2007 according to the Chinese lunar calendar. But we will celebrate the festival earlier, that is in January. This is because the 6-year-old graduates from the Japanese Class need some time to prepare and to for their graduation ceremony. All parents and siblings are welcome to join us for the Chinese New Year festival. More details about the festival will be given out in January 2007.
November 2006 (E61)
Dear parents,
We celebrated Deepavali and Hari Raya before the school break. The children listened to the Deepavali story from Teacher Chithra attentively. Later, Aunty Janet introduced the “ketupat”, a Malay traditional food. Most the children enjoyed the Indian snacks and ketupat.
The graduation for Jing Qi and Por Hao was very warm. Some parents enjoyed ‘playing’ for a while with their children’s friends. Por Hao and Jing Qi were initially a bit shy, but I was proud of them when they overcome it and performed well. Looking at them and reflecting on some memories I shared with them, tears filled my eyes.
The children have started practicing songs and poems for the Christmas Festival. Enclosed are songs and poems we are practicing. Children are also making paper “Christmas Socks.” They will bring home their beautiful paintings and drawings in their “Christmas Socks” on the festival day.
In Taska Nania we are working on the theme of ‘sharing and giving’ with the children for Christmas Festival. The focus of this festival is to connect the children to their inner beings and cultivate the goodness that lies within them. Christmas is not just about receiving presents, having parties and dressing up. It is also about giving and nurturing kind thoughts for one another. As part of the ceremony, the children are asked to think about someone who needs help and to send out good thoughts and love to them. By encouraging them to carry a kind thought for others, we hope to help the children rekindle their inner light and experience the warmth and joy of giving and sharing.
I am looking forward to see all of you at the Christmas festival.
Teacher Thian
Christmas Festival Programme
9.00 am Star Making
9.30 am Setting up for snacks
9.45 am Presentation
Greetings
Christmas poems and songs
Handing out year-end comment cards
10.15 am Snack Time (having children’s homemade cookies)
10.35 am ‘Making a wish’
10.50 am Puppet show
Goodbye song
Christmas gifts
11.15 am Departure
Notes regarding the Christmas Festival
The children will bake cookies on 13th Dec 2006 for the festival.
The children’s year-end comment cards will be given out during the Christmas Festival together with a group photo.
It is not necessary to bring school bags or extra clothes unless the child really needs them.
Parking for the festival has been arranged with the Che Hoon Khor Moral Uplifting Society. Please park your car at the car park opposite the school.
Please enter from the main gate.
Presentations can be difficult for young children during festivals. We encourage mothers to sing together with the younger children to support their participation.
The children will go home together with their mothers after the festival ends at 11.15a.m.
Coming events
Birthdays
Jeetran’s and Hui Yuan’s birthdays fall during the school holidays. Therefore, we will celebrate their birthdays earlier.
Jeetran turns 3 on 25th December. We will celebrate his birthday on 1st December.
On 4th December, we will celebrate Hui Yuan’s birthday. She will be 4 years old on 18th December.
Christmas Festival/ End of Year Festival ( 15th Dec 2006)
Parents and siblings are cordially invited to join this festival which begins at 9.00 a.m. The children will go home with their parents after the festival at about 11.15a.m.
Holidays
The school holidays are from 16th December 2006 till 2nd January 2007. We will see you again on 3rd January 2007( Wednesday).
8 Nov marked the lovely graduation morning for Por Hao and Jing Qi. Watching them stand upright and confident during the ceremony, I was much moved. They have surely achieved their goals! It was also heart-warming to see the small children supporting them by singing together with them. Blessed with the presence of their loving parents, the celebration touched all our hearts.
I wish them all the best as they continue on their life’s journey.
Junko Suzumoto
October 2006 (E60)
Dear parents,
We had a wonderful Harvest Festival celebration with all of you. The staff members were enthusiastic about the celebration. They came at around 7.30am to start the preparations. I am glad to know that the parents enjoy the bread made by the children. Although some new children were a bit shy in front of the crowd, the parents supported their participation. The children also enjoyed the puppet show very much. We thank you for keeping your voices low during the children’s presentations and puppet show. We would like to hear comments from you for our future improvement. It’s nice to know what your children discussed this festival with you too. Enclosed is the comment sheet, please fill it and return it to us by the end of October 2006.
The children's presentation
Puppet show "The Water Dragon"
The children are enjoying the puppet show
After the Mooncake Festival and Harvest Festival, Deepavali and Hari Raya Aidilfitri approach. Our display corner is now beautifully decorated with gold embroidered saris, colourful bracelets, coloured wax lamps and Rangoli (coloured rice motif). Some ribbon ‘ketupats’ (the Malay traditional rice dumpling) are hung up to herald the Hari Raya festive mood.
Lastly, I wish you an enjoyable holiday with your children. Happy Deepavali and Selamat Hari Raya to all Indian and Muslim friends. The school will re-open on 30th October 2006 (Monday).
Teacher Thian
Coming events
English Class Graduation (10th November 2006)
Por Hao and Jing Qi are going to Class 1 next year. After their graduation, they will be with us until December school break.
September 2006 (E59)
Dear parents,
Many children missed Nania during their two week holiday. Some children came to Nania to see whether the teachers were back. I am moved to know how much the children love Nania. During the break, Nania’s staff had an enjoyable trip to Pulau Langkawi. We got to know each other better and refreshed ourselves in that beautiful island.
While we were away, a new ‘friend’ came and built her nest in the garden. Children were very excited when they saw baby birds chirping in their well protected nest. Meanwhile, the sugarcane plants were growing taller and taller each day. Some of the sugarcanes were ready to be harvested. Some children enjoyed the sweetness of the sugarcane while some were not keen to try.
We are now practicing poems and songs for the Harvest Festival. This festival enables the children to appreciate the food they eat. They learn to be grateful to the sun, the rain, the wind, and the farmer for food. The festival songs, poems and puppet story are chosen with that in mind. Children who have joined the festival before still remember most of the songs. The display corner takes on a farming atmosphere. More vegetables and fruits will be gradually displayed as the festival approaches to create the atmosphere. I hope to meet all of you during the festival on 13th October 2006. Please refer to the attachment for more details.
Teacher Thian
Children’s World
The children looked forward to Bento (Lunch Box) Day. They counted the days till the big occasion. On that day, a girl couldn’t wait till lunch time. She asked why the Bento Shop was not open during outside play time. Later, before we went out to buy’ the lunch boxes, I told the children that a new friend who had joined us lately didn’t have money. I asked for some donations for the boy. A boy gave his wallet to me without a second thought. My heart melted at his kindness and generosity. Seeing this, the other children also wanted to help the new boy. I am glad to see children are willing to help people in need.
Harvest Festival programme
Date: 13th October 2006
Venue: Taska Nania
Schedule:
09:00 - 09:30 bread making (for snack) & free play
09:30 - 09:45 setting up tables for snack & toilet break
09:45 - 10:15 presentation
10:15 - 10:25 toilet break
10:25 - 10:40 snack
10:50 - 11:05 puppet show
11:10 goodbye song & gift (origami flower)
11:15 going home
Please note:
・The children will make bread for the festival’s snack in the morning.
・Preparation for the puppet show will start during snack time.
We look forward to sharing a wonderful celebration with you
About Moon Cake Festival
The Moon Cake Festival, a Mid-Autumn Festival (Chung Chiu), is the third major festival of the Chinese calendar. Every year on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, when the moon is at its maximum brightness for the entire year, the Chinese celebrate "Chung Chiu Jie." It is also known as the Moon Cake Festival because a special kind of sweet cake (yueh ping) prepared in the shape of the moon and filled with sesame seeds, ground lotus seeds and duck eggs is served as a traditional Chung Chiu delicacy.
On that day children are told the story of the moon fairy, Chang-o, living in a crystal palace, who comes out to dance on the moon's shadowed surface. The legend surrounding the "lady living in the moon" dates back to ancient times, to a day when ten suns appeared at once in the sky. The Emperor ordered a famous archer to shoot down the nine extra suns. Once the task was accomplished, Goddess of Western Heaven rewarded the archer with a pill that would make him immortal. However, his wife found the pill, took it, and was banished to the moon as a result. Legend says that her beauty is greatest on the day of the Moon festival.
Of course, the most famous legend surrounding the Moon festival concerns its possible role in Chinese history. Overrun by the Mongols in the thirteenth century, the Chinese threw off their oppressors in 1368 AD. It is said that moon cakes - which the Mongols did not eat - were the perfect vehicle for hiding and passing along plans for the rebellion.? Families were instructed not to eat the moon cakes until the day of the moon festival, which is when the rebellion took place. (In another version plans were passed along in moon cakes over several years of Mid-Autumn festivals, but the basic idea is the same).
Coming events
Moon Cake Festival (6th October 2006)
We will have a class celebration and the children will bring back a vegetarian moon cake each on that day.
Harvest Festival (13th October 2006)
We will celebrate Harvest Festival on 13th October 2006 (Friday). Parents are invited to join us for the festival from 9 am. Children will go home early with their mothers after the festival at about 11.15 am. The programme details and songs are attached with this newsletter.
Deepavali and Hari Raya Celebration (20 October 2006)
We will decorate the hall display based on the theme of Deepavali and Hari Raya. On that day, before the holidays, children will have Muruku (Indian Snack) for snack time and Ketupat (Malay Traditional Food) for lunch. Chithra (Administrator) will tell a Deepavali story to the children.
Holidays
10th October 2006 (Tuesday) Hari Nuzul Quran
21st till 29th October 2006 Deepavali and Hari Raya holidays
August 2006 (E58)
Dear parents,
I was grateful that the sky turned clear after a few hazy days and it didn’t rain on the Lantern Festival evening. The children were very excited during that morning. They were happy helping to make the dango and colour paper lanterns. After the children had left, the teachers cooked the dango and decorated the garden with lanterns. The garden became colorful and beautiful after the paper lanterns were hung. I was very happy to see the children with smile on their faces in the evening. My heart melted at their presentation. I hope you enjoyed that evening too. Enclosed with this news letter are photos of the Lantern Festival.
7 parents attended the parents’ meeting held on the evening of 13th July. We shared about the children’s development that we observed and the parents shared from their experience. I was moved that we can discuss issues openly and that helps us to understand their children better. Please refer to the report of the meeting enclosed with this news letter for more information.
Recently, there seems to be a trend about using roller bags among the children. With the increasing number of such bags used, the shelf is very packed now. Some children hardly have a place for their bags. I also noticed that those bags are made with some hard parts like the rollers and handle. I am concerned about the children’s safety as it could be dangerous if a roller bag fell on a child. I have discussed this issue with the children and encouraged them to use just a simple bag which is big enough for their water bottle and a change of clothes. We also encourage children to minimize the usage of plastic bags by reusing them for their dirty cloths, craft works or ‘treasures’ from the garden.
Teacher Tan will start her basic childcare course, conducted by the Social Welfare Department, from 11th August. Teacher Tan will be away on some Wednesdays and Fridays. Another teacher will be seconded to help me on those days.
I am sad to inform you that Aunty Janet, our cook, met with a car accident. She was hospitalized for few days. She did not get bad injury and is now resting at home. We told the children that Aunty Janet can’t come to school because she is sick. The children pray for Aunty Janet every day and wish her quick recovery.
School break is around the corner. Nania will close from 19th August (Saturday). I hope the children will enjoy their holidays. We’ll see them again on 4th September (Monday).
Teacher Thian
Look at these architects -to- be.
Coming events
Bento[Lunch Box] Picnic Day ( 21st September 2006)
The children enjoyed the Bento Day we had in May. We will have another Bento Day this year in September. For the information of parents of new children, please note that your children will make ‘money’ during morning artistic activity time. They will then buy lunch boxes from ‘Aunty Janet’s Restaurant’ and enjoy a picnic in the garden.
Report on Parents’ Meeting
The beautiful purple flowers of the garlic vine, welcomed the parents in the evening. Some parents were absent due to work while some could not get help with babysitting. We started at 7.30p.m after short self introductions.
Teacher Thian shared her observation of the children in the class. The children are close to each other. Big children take on the roles of ‘Big Koko and Big CheChe’, older brother and sister, to help the younger children. The children are learning every single moment. Their play has become more creative and sometimes they explore different themes. They recognize their name and the alphabet through daily activities. At the same time, she was glad to know that parents are keeping in touch and helping each other. Some children visit their friend’s house during weekends.
Parents shared that their children sing a lot at home. Although the parents can’t always identify the language they are singing, they are happy to see the children enjoying themselves. A mother shared that her daughter tried to communicate with a Japanese girl that they had met during their holiday by saying the Japanese grace we recite before meals. Some parents told us that their children ask the family members to recite the grace when they have meal at home.
Parents also shared about their problems at home like sibling quarrels, refusal to come to school, etc. Other parents shared their experiences about handling those issues. We shared that telling story, which related to the issue, is a gentle way to tell them our expectations. Sufficient rest time could affect the children’s moods. A mother came out with the idea of preparing nice breakfast for her son. The parents also shared that the situation changes as the child grows up. A mother told her daughter that Nania is her kingdom and she can have fun.
Teachers are concerned about the influence of cartoons as children learn through imitation. Some cartoon characters with strong and aggressive images harm to the children’s imagination. The influence is so powerful that even a child who has never watched knows about “Power Ranger”. A mother shared that after she had watched “Superman” with her son, she highlighted the good qualities like being friendly and helpful. Teacher Thian said that a mother told her that she previewed movies before she allowed the son to watch them.
Teacher Thian told parents that some children are coming late to the class. We shared about the important of rhythm in daily routine to a child. Children are more settled and have a sense of safety as they know what will be happened next. Although parents are very busy nowadays, we should try our best to have a rhythmic routine for our children. Some practices like waking up and going to bed at the same time, having meals together, story time before bed could be helpful.
Prepared by Teacher Tan
July 2006 (E57)
Dear parents,
Last month some children in Taska Nania were affected with chicken-pox, Coxsackie virus A and head lice. I am thankful to parents who informed us as soon as they knew the situation. I am glad that those children have recovered and are back to school. The situation is now under control and the sicknesses are not spreading among the children. I was moved by the mothers’ concern for the children in our Taska. A mother called to send regards and another mother shared an article with important information about Coxsackie.
Meanwhile, the other children are excitedly waiting for the rambutans in our garden to turn red. While waiting for the harvest, they have been picking the fallen rambutans to sample them. Most of the children enjoyed that rambutan treat!
On 29th June, we performed a fire drill with the children. The children were instructed that should there be a fire, everyone has to leave the classes immediately when the house siren is rung. When all the children had gathered in the garden, we explained about the dangers of fire to them. Later a boy asked anxiously, ‘There is no real fire right now, is there?’ Another boy said he will bring his bag along should there be a fire next time or the bag would be burnt. I told him not to worry about the bag but to save his life.
The school holidays will last two weeks starting from 21st August. Please take note that our staff work days will be changed to 1st and 2nd September, instead of 29th and 30th August as stated in our school calendar. The office is open on these staff work days.
Teacher Thian
Holidays
School holidays will start from 21st August. We will open again on 4th August.
Fire Drill on 29th June 2006
Tanabata Day
Rabbit bath day
Rambutan frim Nania Rambutan tree
What garden flower can we use to make Ribena colour water?
June 2006 (E56)
Dear parents,
During our school holidays, a group of nursery and kindergarten teachers came to visit us. Mr. Ong and I shared our experience and showed them around the compound. Some teachers were impressed with our work and environment. Later, we also joined them to visit another 2 kindergartens in Penang Island and 1 kindergarten in Sungai Petani, Kedah. It was a precious experience for me to learn how other centres are running their early child education. I was moved by their initiative and open- hearted sharing.
After the school break, the display hall was transformed to reflect a warm mood. Lanterns and candles were placed at the display corner to remind the children that the Lantern Festival is around the corner. At Nania we use candles for story time, birthdays and farewells. Candles, as lights on the Earth, are used to represent the lights in Heaven in our cultural activity. The sight of Mr. Sun, Mr. Moon and Mr. Star fill the children with wonder and awe. As Mr. Candle’s light graces their activity it brings a sense of solemnity and dignity to the children. The lantern walk during the Lantern Festival offers a moment of communion in the children’s hearts between the lights on earth and the lights in the heavens.
The children have painted the paper that they will use to make their lanterns for the Lantern Festival. We are practicing poems, finger games and songs during the ring time for the festival. At Nania, this festival brings together elements from the Chinese Moon Cake Festival and the Japanese Bon Festival.* Please mark the date 21st July (Friday) in your calendar. We hope to see parents and the children’s siblings on that evening. We will celebrate this festival in the Nania’s garden if it does not rain.
The children’s clothes sometimes get dirty when they paint on Monday mornings or play in the sandpit during outside playtime. Therefore wearing new cloths is not encouraged especially in the mornings.
Last year, we organized a Parents’ Meeting. Parents who attended the meeting appreciated the opportunity to meet each other as well as discuss issues related to child development and class experience with the class teachers. I would like to invite all parents for this year Parents’ Meeting to be held at Nania from 7.30pm on 13th July 2006.
Enclosed with this news letter is the parents contact list. Kindly inform me when there are any changes of mailing addresses or contact numbers in the future.
Teacher Thian
*Bon is one of Japan’s summer festivals and is a time when people make offerings of food and other things to their ancestors and pray for the happiness of their ancestor’s souls in the next world. It takes place from the 13th to 15th of August, and during this time the folk dance known as Bon Odori can be seen in cities, towns and villages all over Japan.
*Moon Cake Festival: A Mid-Autumn Festival, the third major festival of the Chinese calendar, is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month. This festival is also known as the Moon Cake Festival because a special kind of sweet cake prepared in the shape of the moon and filled with sesame seeds, ground lotus seeds and duck eggs is served as a delicacy.
Nania Lantern Festival
Date: 21st July 2006 (Friday)
Time: 6.30 pm
Venue: Taska Nania garden [indoor if raining]
Programme
6.30pm ~ 6.50 pm Children’s presentation(greeting, poems, songs)
6.50 pm ~7.00 pm Hokkien poem by staff, Bon dance
7.00 pm ~ 7.30 pm light snack
7.30 pm ~ 7.45 pm Lantern walk
7.45 pm Goodbye song
Coming events
Tanabata Celebration (Friday 7th July 2006)
This is the day of the year, according to a Chinese and Japanese folktale, when the Weaver Princes and the Cowherd can meet across the Milky Way to renew their love for each other. The children will make Tanzaku for this celebration. Tanzuka and other ornaments are hung on a bamboo branch during tanabata and placed in the house as a way of entreating better things to come.
Lantern Festival (Friday 21st July 2006)
On that day, children will be going home early (after lunch at 12:15pm). Later, they will come back to Nania for the Lantern Festival with their parents and siblings after dinner at 6.30pm. Enclosed with this news letter are the details and a song sheet for the festival.
Parents’ Meeting Evening (13th July 2006)
The meeting is open to all parents of the English class students. It will start at 7.30pm and we plan to end by 9.00pm. Kindly make arrangements for your children’s care.
May 2006 (E55)
Dear parents,
I was glad to meet most of you during our Sports/ Family Day. The children were happily running around and playing with their parents. It was also nice to see the interaction between families. Some children even joined up with other families by sharing their food. I am happy to know that some parents made new friends and become closer after that day. Thank you all for your invaluable participation.
I am now attending the basic childcare course, conducted by the Social Welfare Department. I have to attend the lecture and perform my Practical Examination every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Teacher Tan is leading the class assisted by Teacher Joyce whenever I am away. Although I am very busy studying and preparing teaching materials for my practical examinations, I have learnt more about early child education and many useful ways to enhance children’s abilities. I am grateful for the support of the Nania’s staff members
We have started Craft Circle at Nania again. This class is on every Friday, 4.00 to 5.45p.m. The craft activities include needlework, weaving, doll and puppet making, paper folding and others. We welcome children age 5 and above to join us. I would appreciate if you can pass the news around.
Lastly, please take note that our school holidays will start a week later than the Malaysian government school break. We will start our holidays from 5th June 2006.
--Sports Day--
Coming events
Play Dough
The children will bring home Nania’s homemade play dough on 1st June. The play dough can last for another few weeks.
Painting Bag
The children are preparing their painting bags. They will place their paintings and drawings in this bag when they take them home on 2nd June. Some of their drawings and paintings have been used as birthday or farewell presents for their friends.
Holidays
The coming school term holidays will be from 5th June (Monday) till 11th June (Sunday).
Father’s Day
We will celebrate Father’s Day on 16th June. Children will make flowers and a wall decoration to bring home for their fathers.
April 2006 (E54)
Dear parents,
The children made such amazing colorful eggs for Easter. They had an exciting time egg hunting in the garden after enjoying the Easter puppet show. The class later planted some seeds in the garden during outside play time as part of Easter.
Children watching Easter puppet show.
Children planting seed on Easter day.
During last December school break, the management learnt about the Government scheme to encourage adults with disability to work from Eden Handicap Centre. The Social Welfare department offers a RM200 allowance for adults with disability who work. We decided to offer such a work opportunity at Nania from the beginning of the year.Ping Ping, who just finished her SPM has joined us as part time kitchen helper between 1.30 p.m. to 4.30 pm.daily.
One of the reasons Ping Ping is fine with doing housework chores at Nania was the children. She likes children. I am happy to see that the children have also accepted her with open hearts. It is good for children to meet different people as they grow up. They are also making Ping Ping’s first working experience and menial tasks [e.g. dish washing] a pleasant step in her own life development path.
For your information, we are looking for a new assistant teacher for the Japanese class. Teacher Jessica is leaving for further study. Let us know if you know someone interested in a kindergarten teacher career path.
Enclosed is the Sports/Family Day programme. The Penang Japanese School hall has a wood floor. Kindly prepare a pair of clean sport shoes for indoor use only for each family member. I look forward to see all of you on the Sports/Family Day.
Teacher Thian
Coming events
Kodomo-no-hi / Boys’ Day (5th May)
It is a Japanese custom for families with boys to put up the koinobori, or carp streamers, in their garden or on the roof on this day. The koinobori carps appear to be swimming vigorously against the current as they flatter in the wind. It symbolizes boys should face and overcome their personal challenges with the same positive spirit.At Nania, we celebrate this event on 3rd May 2006 The children will make a koinobori and a Samurai hat as part of their class activity and take them home on that day.
Koinobori carps
Bento [Lunch Box] picnic Day
Many children who experienced Bento Day last year are looking forward to it again. Some ‘complain’ that it’s too long to wait for just one Bento day a year. This year, we will have our Bento Day on the 25th May. Children will make ‘money’ during morning artistic activity time. They will then buy lunch boxes from ‘Aunty Janet’s Restaurant’ and enjoy a picnic in the garden, under the shade of course.
Holidays
1st May 2006 (Monday) - Labour Day holiday
12th May 2006 (Friday) - Wesak Day holiday
Water play
We will cancel water play on 5th and 19th May for there are birthday celebrations for Japanese class children.
March 2006 (E53)
Dear parents,
I am happy to meet all the children again after the school break. A mother told me that her girl called my name and talked about the kindergarten in her dreams. I am glad that the children look forward to come back to Nania. They told us about where they had been or what they had done during their holidays.
During the school holidays, I met with a hundred primary school teachers in a workshop. We discussed teachers’ roles, children’s development, communicating with children and teachers’ emotion management. I was pleased to know that the government is encouraging teaching with love and joy. During the workshop, I also reminded myself that adults need to be more aware about our behavior, emotion and most important our beliefs as these effect our children for their whole life time. Children do not learn what we teach but they learn who we are.
Enclosed with this newsletter is letter from Mr. Ong and Junko. Taska Nania will be managed by a new private limited company named Life Spirit Sdn. Bhd. Please read their letter for more information.
We will have a change of staff members in April. One of the Japanese Class assistant teachers, Teacher Lim is leaving to look after her sick mother-in-law. Our ex-staff, Teacher Ong, is coming back to assist Junko.
Lastly, please take note that during the celebration of Hirotomo and Por Hao’s birthdays and Easter Day which fall on Fridays, water play will be cancelled.
Teacher Thian
Coming events
Easter Spring (14th April 2006)
We will celebrate Easter Spring on 14th April. The children will colour eggs in the morning and enjoy a puppet show. Later, they will go out for seed planting and egg hunting in the garden. They will bring home their eggs on that day.
Sports / Family Day (23rd April 2006)
We are having our Sports/Family day on Sunday, 23rd April this year. The whole family (fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters) is welcome to join this active and fun morning event.It will be held at the indoor sports hall of the Penang Japanese School. Further details will be given at a later date. This event is organized together with parents’ input in our Sports/Family day committee.
Holidays
11th April (Tuesday) Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
24th April (Monday) Sports Day replacement holiday
February 2006 (E52)
Dear parents,
After the Chinese New Year holidays, children carried the festive mood back to school. Some boys used baskets and towels to play ‘lion dance’. The girls who helped to fold towels use them to dance. The other children role-played as musicians with instruments that they create while they sang Chinese New Year songs.
The children are preparing their painting bags now. Some children who have been with us for a while show improvement in their work. They are more skillful and some of them can make nice patterns as they weave their painting bags. Their work shows that children are able to learn and do better if they have a chance to practice. We adults, sometimes tend to help children because they can’t do things as well as us. But, by helping them we actually deprive them of chances to learn.
Last month, Junko and I were invited to give a public talk about Waldorf Education. During the question and sharing session, a mother whose daughter had graduated from Taska Nania shared her experience. She was very moved when her daughter showed her independence on her first day at primary school. She could respond to the teachers and communicates well with them. The girl continues to show creativity in her works and is eager to learn. I am happy to know that she is doing well in her new school.
Looking back, I realize that children blossom when they are guided with love and patience. It is wonderful to be part of that process.
Teacher Thian
= Pictures of Chinese New Year Party =
Coming events
Girl’s Day Celebration (3rd March 2006)
We will celebrate the Japanese Girl’s Day Festival (Hinamatsuri) with the children on 3rd March. The dolls in traditional kimono displayed at the Festival corner are praying for the well being of girls. The dolls are called hina-ningyo and the custom is also known as momo-no sekku (Peach Festival) because of the peach blossom season on the old lunar calendar. In some areas, the old custom, nagashibina, of loading one’s troubles onto a paper doll and floating them off down the river is still practiced.
Most Japanese families with girls display hina-ningyo and dedicate peach blossoms to them. They are usually arranged on a five or seven-tiered stand covered with a red carpet. At the top are the Emperor and Empress. The next level sit three court ladies, followed by five musicians, two ministers, and three servants at the bottom row of a five-tiered display. Displays may include small pieces of furniture, meal dishes, and other things. The hina-ningyo at Nania is hand made by a child’s mother.
The children have started folding paper dolls and make them into wall decorations. They will bring home the wall decorations on the festival day.
Painting Bag
Children are making their painting bags and colouring them. All the paintings and drawings they will have done during this term will be put into the bags for them to home on 9th March. However, some of the paintings have been given away as presents to their friends in the class.
Japanese Class Graduation (10th march 2006)
There are 9 children in Japanese Class graduating this year. I wish them all the best in their future. As the graduation falls on Friday, we will cancel water play on that day.
Holidays
Classes will cease from 13th March until 19th March. We will reopen on 20th March.
Children’s world
One day, I noticed three boys using wood boards as saws to break a ” house” that their friend had built. Instead of stopping them, I remarked to Teacher Tan that I would feel sad if someone broke my house. One of the boys overheard our conversation and tried to stop his friends but he couldn’t stop them. I invited that boy to cut trees in the ‘jungle’. I took a few woodblocks and put them up like a tree. When the other two boys saw our play, they came near. So, I made more “trees” for them to cut down. Later, they used the wood blocks that they had cut down for their play.
