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１月8日（水）に０歳児～5歳児まで全クラス集まって“New Year Festival”を開催！

「あけましておめでとうございます」「Happy New year」と、全員で新年の挨拶をして“New Year Festival”　始まり始まり。

先ずはお正月に食べたおせち料理の紹介を。「それ、しっとるよ～」「たべたよ！！」と答えたり、数の子の絵を見て「たくあん！」と自信満々に答えたり。

次に外国人講師Mr.グレッグが外国での正月料理を紹介し、「ザクロはおめでたい日に食べるよ」と教えてくれました。

その次は外国人講師Mr.ジョンルク、Ms.チェルシー、Ms.リア、Mr.グレッグたちによる十二支の干支紹介ジェスチャーゲームを。馬や羊やサルなどをノリノリ気分で表現し、子どもたちも「馬、horse」「羊、sheep」など日本語と英語で答えていました。

外国での寒い日の遊び方や日本の正月あそびの福笑い・こま回し・羽子板あそびなどの楽しい遊びの紹介もあり、笑顔、笑顔の子どもたちでした。

最後に各クラスお年玉をもらって、さぁ～月光神社へ。その道中に待っていた獅子舞い。涙目ながらも勇気をもって「賢くなりますように」と頭をかんでもらいお参りに行きました。

月光神社の神主Mr.グレッグにお祓いしてもらい、「〇〇になりたい」「△△ができるように」などの願い事の絵馬を飾り、めでたしめでたしの“New Year Festival”でした。

On January 8th (Wednesday), all classes from 0 to 5-year-old children gathered together for a “New Year Festival”!

“Happy New Year!” Everyone greeted each other, and the “New Year Festival” began.

First, we introduced “Osechi” (Japanese traditional New Year’s dishes). The children responded enthusiastically, saying things like, “I know that!” and “I ate that!” Some even confidently pointed at an image of “Kazunoko” (herring roe) and said, “Takuan!” (pickled radish).

Next, our foreign teacher, Mr. Greg, introduced New Year’s dishes from different countries. He explained, “Pomegranates are eaten on special days” to the children.

Then, foreign teachers Mr. Jean-Luk, Ms. Chelsea, Ms. Lia, and Mr. Greg led a fun gesture game to introduce the twelve zodiac animals. They acted out animals like horses, sheep, and monkeys, and the children eagerly shouted, “Horse!” and “Sheep!” in both Japanese and English.

The children were also introduced to various traditional New Year’s games from both Japan and other countries, such as “Fuku-warai” (a New Year’s game), spinning tops, and “Hanetsuki” (Japanese badminton played with a ball with feathers), all of which made the children smile with joy.

Finally, each class received ”Otoshidama” (a New Year’s gift) and headed to Gekkou Shrine. Along the way, they encountered “Shishimai” (a lion dance). Though a little teary-eyed, the children bravely had their heads gently bitten by the lion and made a wish, saying “I want to become smarter!” before proceeding to the shrine.

At Gekkou Shrine, the Shinto priest, Mr. Greg, performed a purification ritual. The children then wrote their wishes on ema (wooden plaques), expressing hopes such as “I want to be this!” or “I want to be able to do that!” The “New Year Festival” ended with a sense of joy and celebration.