On February 3, 2023, CMCS’s Lower and Upper Elementary students were in for a treat! They witnessed the famous Red Lion dance, which is an important Chinese tradition performed during the Lunar New Year celebrations.
🦁 The Lion Dance
The Lion Dance is a form of martial arts that originated in China 5000 years ago. It is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the community. During the dance, two performers are inside the costume – one at the front and one at the back. The performers are highly trained in acrobatics and martial arts, making the lion dance a captivating performance.
The lion performed tricks like balancing on giant balls, rolling around, and reacting to the crowd. The sound of drums beating in rhythm added to the excitement. Kids’ emotions were elevated with the performance, and the moment was full of joy and cheerfulness. The performers were dancing to a fun and light-hearted song that took the kids’ enthusiasm and interest.
🏆 The Benefits
The Lunar New Year dance exposed CMCS students to different cultural practices and helped them understand and appreciate diversity. It was a festive and joyful celebration that taught them the importance of cultural traditions and the value of celebrating important events with friends and family.
Performing the Lunar New Year dance required teamwork, coordination, and practice, which helped the students develop valuable social and communication skills. The dance involved physical movements, promoting physical activity and exercise among the students.
In Chinese culture, the Lunar New Year is believed to bring good luck and fortune for the coming year. Learning about this tradition and participating in the dance helped students understand the significance of cultural beliefs and their impact on people’s lives.
👍🏼 Here are 5 key takeaways for CMCS students from the Lunar New Year dance:
- Cultural Awareness
- Celebration
- Teamwork
- Physical Activity
- Good Luck
Conclusion
Overall, the Lunar New Year dance was a fun and exciting event for CMCS Montessori students. It exposed them to different cultural practices, encouraged celebration, teamwork, physical activity, and an understanding of cultural beliefs.
A huge thank you to Mt. Song Martial Arts Academy for putting on such an educational and entertaining show!
