
Happy Chinese New Year! We welcome the year of the Horse. Today we learned all about how the children in China get ready for their new year and how they celebrate it. In China, there are many things that are done to get ready to welcome the new year, like cleaning the house, bringing in fresh flowers, and making new friends. There are also things that are not done when the new year comes in, like leaving a broom behind the door, or leaving a knife out on the table or counter. Knives have to be put away in a drawer. The Chinese also believe that dragons are very important in helping to celebrate the new year. The dragon helps to protect people from evil spirits. We made our own dragon and he looks great! Chinese boys and girls are also taught that whatever year they are born in, they take on the traits of the animal that represents that year. This year the animal is the horse. It is believed that the horse is popular, cheerful, charming, and talented. Wow, it seems like being a horse is a great thing! Happy new year to everyone!