RockIt Times AmuseLetter
Celebrate
Chinese New Year!
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Contents
Quote Of The Month “Tell me and I'll forget; show
me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand.” Editorial Happy New Year! This issue is coming out a bit late due to my hectic holiday schedule and school break. Hope you'll forgive me! Having just had a blast celebrating our new year with my 2 sons, I thought it might be nice to extend the celebration throughout the month of January. After all, with long, gloomy days that can keep us trapped inside, a celebration might just be the thing you need to keep the "winter whines" at bay. The Chinese celebrate their new year beginning in January or February. Each year is named after one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, or Pig. This year (2006), we will celebrate Chinese New Year on January 29th; the year 2006 is the Year of the Dog. In the Chinese calendar, 2006 is the year 4703. The Chinese New Year's celebration starts with making sure that your house is spotless. Start by reading a book about preparing for the Chinese New Year, then let your little one help you with easy jobs, such as dusting, wiping off tables with a sponge, and sweeping with a child-sized broom. Red and gold, which represent happiness and prosperity, are used for decorations and adornments. This gives you a great opportunity to review the colors with your child! Let them select red clothing to wear, find red objects around the house, and point out red items on walks outside and through the store. It is also a tradition to give gifts of money in red envelopes. Turn this into a fun counting/fine motor game by numbering 5 envelopes from 1 - 5 and encouraging your child to count out the appropriate amount of coins to go in each one. Whatever you do, remember that any time spent with your child is valuable. Start your year off right by showing your child that they are the most important thing to you and the gift you value the greatest. Here's wishing you a happy and prosperous
new year! Reading Rocks! Recommendations
Kid Rock "Party In The Spotlight" Dragon Tales You might not have a room full of Chinese dragons, but there's no reason you can't shake your dragon tails like you do! Celebrate Chinese New Year by hosting a dragon party of your own! This party may include the following songs:
Reserve your party date today! Email to parties@rockitkids.com or call us at 847-961-6584.  Craft
Of The Month Chinese Lantern Materials:
Instructions:
You can make multiple lanterns and string them on yarn to decorate your room! Having a party? Don't forget to invite Kid Rock! If you are in our neighborhood, we happily provide stress-free, interactive children's party entertainment for any function. Or, make it a Kid Rock day no matter where you live, with our perfectly assembled gift bags and party favors! Visit the official Kid Rock website at http://www.rockitkids.com/ for more information! Snack Of The Month Chinese New Year Cakes Ingredients:
Directions:
Music Rocks! Recommendations
Motor Activity Of The Month Dragon, Dragon Dragon, dragon, dance around. Have your child pretend to be a dragon and act out the movements of the song. ~ This fingerplay idea by Heather McPhail was borrowed from preschoolexpress.com. Thanks! Special Guest Article Celebrating Chinese New
Year The Chinese New Year is a festival
quiet with the hope of good fortune, yet booming with the spectacle of exploding
firecrackers and dancing dragons. It is marked not only by number (4702) but also
by animal. According to Chinese legend, Buddha invited all the creatures in his
kingdom to appear before him. The 12 animals who completed the journey the rat,
ox, tiger, hare, dragon, serpent, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig
were each honored for their presence with rotating names of the year: 2005 is
the Year of the Rooster; 2006 will be the Year of the Dog. Parents encourage children to stay awake as long as their eyes will remain open. Legend says that the longer children battle sleep, the longer their parents will live. At midnight, firecrackers, paper-dragon dances, parades, and red clothing commemorate the legend of Nain, a mythical beast who terrorized villagers once every year. The din that is created is meant to drive away any lingering devils or spirits. This year, celebrate the New Year with a few projects that kids can do every day: a Chinese game of Rock, Paper, Scissors; a signature stamp; and a batch of Chinese dumplings. ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS For as long as most of us can remember, kids have been trying to one-up each other in the game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. In China, children take it a step further. Here's how: Two kids sit side by side at the bottom of a short staircase. On the count of three, both of them must throw one hand forward in the form of a rock (a fist), paper (fingers held together, straight out), or scissors (forefinger and middle finger in a "V"). Following the logic that paper covers rock, rock breaks scissors, and scissors cut paper, the player who presents the winning symbol in that round moves up one step. If both kids display the same symbol, it's considered a tie. Play continues in this manner until one child reaches the top step and wins the game. STAMP YOUR NAME When a Chinese artist signs his paintings, he uses a carved stone block or chop to print his symbol on the canvas. To personalize her art or stationery, your child can make a decorative signature stamp out of Styrofoam and cardboard. First, have your child write her initials on tracing paper, making the letters as ornate as she likes or incorporating them into a unique design. Next, place the paper printed-side down on a clean Styrofoam meat tray. Trace over the design with a pen, bearing down to leave an impression in the Styrofoam. Cut out the design, leaving a narrow border all the way around, and glue it onto a piece of cardboard trimmed to the same size. For a handle, glue a tissue tube to the back. Then press the stamp onto an ink pad, and it's ready to use. STEAMED DUMPLINGS During the Chinese New Year this month, families in China will feast on jiaozi, delectable meat-filled dumplings. With this easy recipe, you can prepare a batch to serve at a family celebration of your own. Or, in true Chinese fashion, invite your neighbors to share a platterful while you ring in the new year. 3 stalks Chinese cabbage Finely chop the Chinese cabbage and scallions and put them in a mixing bowl. Add the soy sauce, salt, cornstarch, and pork. Mix well with a spoon. Place 1 teaspoon of filling on each wrapper. Fold the wrappers into half circles. Moisten the inside edges with water, and press them together to seal. In a large pot, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Drop in the dumplings and cover. When the water resumes boiling, add 1 cup of cold water. Repeat this step twice. When the water boils for the third time, the dumplings will be done. Serve with 1/4 cup soy sauce mixed with 2 tablespoons white vinegar. Makes 4 dozen dumplings.
Subscriber Talk! Hi Mari, Thank you so much, Penny! I'm so happy you enjoy the issues and the ideas. Your feedback means the world to me. I hope your holidays have been magnificent! Mari Do you have comments or suggestions for us? We love to hear and share what our readers think! Please send your feedback to us at: rockittimes@rockitkids.com Great Links and Freebies Check out these great links for parents and caregivers!
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