Health & Life

Parents, Teach Your Kids These 5 Simple Things This Lunar New Year

The Lunar New Year is a time for celebration and reunion, a chance for families to come together and connect. To ensure a harmonious festive season, parents should take the opportunity to teach their children these five simple yet essential lessons.

Administrator

25 July, 2024

The Lunar New Year is a special time for families to come together, visit grandparents, share meals, and catch up after a year of hard work. It’s not uncommon for parents to find themselves in an awkward situation due to their children’s lack of manners and politeness. Teaching your children these 5 simple lessons can be incredibly beneficial.

1 Teach Your Child About Their Roots

The Lunar New Year is a great opportunity for parents to educate their children about traditional customs and practices, helping them understand and appreciate their cultural heritage. Engage your children in activities such as making and decorating , writing greeting cards, and preparing traditional foods.

Involving your children in these preparations alongside grandparents and parents will foster a deeper understanding and interest in Lunar New Year traditions. It will also nurture a sense of compassion and empathy in your children.

Additionally, participating in these activities will enhance their social and communication skills and encourage teamwork.

Teach Your Child About Their Roots

2 Teach Your Child to Greet and Wish Everyone Well

The Lunar New Year is a time for people to come together and exchange greetings and well-wishes, expressing love, respect, and hopes for a prosperous and healthy new year. Teaching your children to greet and wish others well is an essential part of preserving Vietnamese cultural traditions and values.

Practice and encourage your children to use meaningful and heartfelt greetings and wishes for their grandparents, elders, and loved ones ahead of the Lunar New Year.

Teach Your Child to Greet and Wish Everyone Well

Related: Check out these to make your greetings even more special!

3 Teach Your Child to Receive Lucky Money Respectfully

Receiving lucky money is an exciting part of the Lunar New Year for children. However, it’s important to teach them the significance of lucky money and the proper way to receive it.

Instruct your children to be polite and grateful when receiving lucky money, with a smile, a gentle bow, and a heartfelt thank you. If your child forgets to say thank you, gently remind them to maintain good manners.

Teach Your Child to Receive Lucky Money Respectfully

Some children may excitedly open and show off their lucky money, even commenting on the amount. This can cause embarrassment for both the giver and the parents. Therefore, explain to your children the symbolic meaning of lucky money and the importance of not commenting on the amount. Teach them to refrain from opening the envelope immediately and always express gratitude.

4 Teach Your Child Proper Table Manners for the Lunar New Year

Meals with family and friends are an integral part of the Lunar New Year celebrations. While adults may continue socializing over drinks after a hearty meal, young children often become restless and disruptive.

In such situations, it’s a good idea to bring along a few toys or activities to keep your child entertained and prevent disruptive behavior.

Teach Your Child Proper Table Manners for the Lunar New Year

5 Explain the Significance of Traditional Lunar New Year Dishes

Traditional dishes like , , , , and are an essential part of the Lunar New Year. Take this opportunity to teach your children about the meaning and symbolism behind these delicious treats.

Explain to your children that these dishes represent hopes for a prosperous and peaceful new year. Share stories and legends associated with these foods, enriching their understanding and appreciation of these traditions.

Explain the Significance of Traditional Lunar New Year Dishes

These 5 simple lessons will ensure your children understand the importance of good manners, respect, and the rich cultural heritage of the Lunar New Year. We hope you found this guide useful!

Source: Vietnamese Women’s Newspaper

Frequently asked questions

The Lunar New Year is a perfect time for parents to impart valuable lessons and create lasting memories with their children. Teaching them about traditions and values can help children develop a deeper understanding of their cultural heritage, fostering a sense of identity and belonging. It also provides an opportunity to impart important life skills and lessons that will benefit them in the long run.

1. Gratitude: Encourage children to express gratitude for the blessings of the past year and to appreciate the people and things in their lives. This can be done through writing thank-you notes or having conversations about what they are thankful for.
2. Respect: Teach children to respect their elders and those around them. This can be demonstrated through simple actions like greeting grandparents, offering to help with chores, or showing table manners during family gatherings.
3. Saving and Spending: The practice of receiving lucky money (‘li xi’) can be used to teach children about financial responsibility. Parents can guide them on how to save a portion of their lucky money and spend the rest wisely.
4. Family Values: Emphasize the importance of family and spending quality time together. Involve children in preparing traditional dishes, setting up decorations, or participating in family rituals to create a sense of belonging and unity.
5. Goal Setting: The Lunar New Year represents a fresh start. Help children set realistic goals or New Year’s resolutions, such as improving a skill, picking up a new hobby, or adopting healthier habits. This teaches them about planning and working towards their aspirations.

Parents can incorporate interactive activities and games to make learning about traditions and values more enjoyable for their children. Storytelling, crafts, and cultural outings are great ways to engage their interest. Involving children in preparing for the festivities, such as shopping for decorations or cooking traditional dishes, can also create a sense of excitement and ownership. By creating positive and memorable experiences, children are more likely to understand and embrace the values being taught.

Teaching children about financial responsibility during the Lunar New Year can help them develop a healthy relationship with money. By guiding them on how to manage their lucky money, parents can instill valuable lessons on saving, spending wisely, and even donating to those in need. This encourages children to be thoughtful and considerate in their financial decisions, fostering a sense of financial literacy and empathy from a young age.

The beauty of the Lunar New Year lies in its diverse cultural celebrations. Parents can tailor the lessons to align with their specific cultural background and beliefs. For example, they can incorporate unique family traditions, share stories or legends specific to their culture, or emphasize values that hold significant meaning within their heritage. By doing so, children gain a deeper understanding of their own cultural identity and the rich diversity that the Lunar New Year encompasses.