Roll with it: (From left) Vianne, Gerard, Celine and another classmate learning how to roll the dough in the process of making tang yuan balls with Nur Alya Elisa (centre). — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Barely tall enough to reach the table, several four-year-old children at a kindergarten here were all smiles as they rolled colourful tang yuan (glutinous rice balls) with their hands.
The fun activity quickly turned the classroom into an early lesson on tradition, culture and togetherness.
Celine Teoh was excited to make her own tang yuan in her favourite colour.
“I like rolling the dough pink because it’s pretty,” she said.
Another student, Gerard Adrian, enjoyed getting his hands messy while shaping the dough into small balls.
“It was fun because I got to work alongside my friends and learn something new at the same time.”
Lee Vianne said it was a new experience making the colourful balls, adding that she wanted to share them with her friends after class.
The trio were among eight children who took part in the tang yuan-making session at Dragonfly The Leaders Sungai Ara kindergarten here.
The activity was held to mark the Winter Solstice Festival, which is celebrated today.
It is the day each year when the sun reaches its southernmost point in the sky, creating the shortest day and longest night.
It happens because the planet’s axis is tilted in such a way that the northern hemisphere is leaning the furthest away from the sun in the year although this is hardly noticeable in Malaysia as it is close to the Equator.
So while Malaysians see no more than 15 minutes’ difference between daylight and nightfall times, the sun will not rise near the Arctic Circle.
Kindergarten teacher Nur Alya Elisa Rostam, 23, who guided the children throughout the session, said the activity was to introduce them to cultural traditions.
She said hands-on activities such as making tang yuan help children better understand Malaysia’s multicultural practices and values like sharing, patience and togetherness.
“We can observe how children learn through play.
“Seeing their excitement and creativity reminds us that learning about culture can be fun and engaging.
“It is also a learning experience for me as an educator,” Nur Alya Elisa said.
Kindergarten principal and owner Grace Ng said the school aims to instil values such as family and togetherness through cultural activities.
“For example, we teach children about the Winter Solstice Festival and its importance in the Chinese community.”
Ng added that the kindergarten also celebrates other major festivals including Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Deepavali and Christmas.
“This is the beauty of Malaysia. It is important for children to understand and appreciate it from a young age.
“During Hari Raya, they learn how to make traditional kuih while for Chinese festivals, they are introduced to activities like making tang yuan,” she said.
According to Chinese belief, the round shape of the tang yuan symbolises completeness and wholeness.
In ancient times, the festival marked the time for the Chinese to store their harvest and prepare for winter.
Today, it has become a time for thanksgiving as Chinese families reflect on the blessings of the past year and pray for prosperity in the upcoming year.
The local Chinese community celebrates by making tang yuan with fillings such as red bean, peanut or sesame paste, served in a bowl of plain or ginger syrup.
