Category Archives: Asia

Spring Traditions Around the World

Posted on April 12, 2013 | 8 Comments

I am part of a world-side, diverse group of bloggers called Multicultural Kid Bloggers who write about their experiences in multicultural parenting. Every month we host a different blogging carnival, which focuses on a relevant topic, and includes perspectives from (literally) around the world. For example, we discussed teaching heritage to your children, and talked about winter traditions around the world, and the importance of family traditions. Join us on facebook, Twitter or pinterest to meet other multicultural, globally-minded parents.

This month’s carnival is all about our Spring traditions. Continue reading →

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Posted in Africa, Around the World, Asia, Australia, Australia and Oceania, Canada, Celebrations, China, Europe, Malawi, Mexico, Poland, The Americas, The Netherlands, United States

Tagged spring, traditions

Gingerbread Stories from Around the World

Posted on March 27, 2013 | 3 Comments

Finding similarities and differences when reading fairy tales from around the world hones kids’ critical thinking skills, and helps them to focus on the details. Even the Common Core Standards includes this in one of their “Reading Literature” standards:

Compare and contrast two or more versions of the same story (e.g., Cinderella stories) by different authors or from different cultures (RL.2.9.).

There are many reasons to read fairy tales to children- especially because they’re whimsical, creative, and fun! Today we’re looking at Gingerbread stories. Continue reading →

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Posted in Around the World, Asia, Australia, Australia and Oceania, China, Europe, Food, France, Ireland, Literature, Mexico, Norway, Russia, The Americas, UK, United States

Tagged fairy tales, fiction children's books, folktales, Gingerbread Man stories

Chinese for Kids: with Sesame Street’s Elmo!

Posted on February 16, 2013 | 5 Comments

Are you looking for language resources of Chinese for kids? I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Manabu Nagaoka, the VP Executive Producer at Sesame Languages and Sesame Workshop. His team is working on a show called Fun Fun Elmo (乐乐Elmo), a new show with Mandarin-speaking Sesame characters that will introduce a Chinese tone, word, and stroke order of characters with animation and live action film shot in China.

Continue reading →

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Posted in Asia, China, Hong Kong, Language, Movies, Taiwan

Tagged Chinese, TV show

Make a Chinese Zodiac Poster for Lunar New Year

Posted on February 5, 2013 | 2 Comments

While searching on-line for resources for Tet, the Lunar New Year celebration in Vietnam, I found a wonderful poster a fellow adoptive mom made for her son’s class. I asked Priscilla Holberton to share her activity here. Priscilla tries to keep up with all things Asian and adoption in Washington, DC on her web site MyAsianKidDC.com and blog MyAsianKidDC.wordpress.com, where she recently wrote her own Kindergarten lesson plan using the toys that she has collected over the years. She is the adoptive mom of a five year old boy who was born in Vietnam.

Last year, when I decided I wanted to include information about the Chinese Zodiac in my presentation of Lunar New Year in my son’s pre-K, I searched on the Internet but never found a poster-size illustration. I have been looking again this year to no avail, so I decided to make my own. Continue reading →

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Posted in Animals, Arts and Crafts, Asia, Celebrations, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam

Tagged Chinese New Year, Tet

Top 10 Resources of Arabic for Kids

Posted on January 28, 2013 | 11 Comments

Sharing a list of resources of Arabic for kids today is Christi Madrid, a Florida based blogger. Together, she and her husband strive to rear their daughter to be a globally-minded citizen; confident and empowered in her world identity. Christi blogs about step parenting and her personal passion of Learning to be the Light at ChristiMadrid.com. You can also catch her on Facebook.

In rearing our daughter to be compassionate and globally minded, it was important to my husband and me that she be protected from stereotypes and misunderstood cultures. Continue reading →

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Posted in Africa, Algeria, Asia, Bahrain, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Language, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Somaliland, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen

Tagged Arabic

Yoga for Kids: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Family Yoga Experience at Home (Part 3 of 3)

Posted on January 18, 2013 | 6 Comments

Giselle Shardlow, expert on yoga for kids, is a children’s author of Kids Yoga Stories. She hopes to inspire children by drawing from her experiences as an international primary school teacher, yoga teacher training graduate, world traveler, mother, and yogi. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and daughter. Her yoga-inspired children’s books and other creative resources can be found at www.kidsyogastories.com.

How to Learn, Be Active, and Have Fun with your Family

This is the last in a 3 part series on Yoga for Kids. In Part 1, I shared 10 Things that I Learned from Yoga Teacher Training, reflecting on the history and culture of yoga. Part 2, I shared 14 ways that Yoga is Beneficial for Children. Now let’s look at how we can bring yoga and a sense of adventure into our homes. Continue reading →

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Posted in Africa, Asia, Games and Toys, India, Tanzania

Tagged yoga, Yoga for Kids

Christmas in the Philippines

Posted on December 24, 2012 | 3 Comments

I am tickled to host some very impressive guest writers today: Austin Molina, with help from Anthony Molina and Shaw Molina. They shared with me how families and children celebrate Christmas in The Philippines. Some say that The Philippines has the longest Christmas celebration in the world- beginning with singing Christmas carols in September, and ending after Epiphany in January! I was so excited to learn more from the Molina boys- not only are they intelligent writers, they are also the sweetest little family!!!

Molina boys Christmas in The Philippines- Kid World Citizen

Austin, Shaw, and Anthony and little cousin Teia

Christmas in the Philippines is called Pasko. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year is “Maligayang Pasko” and “Manigong Bagong Taon!” Continue reading →

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Posted in Asia, Celebrations, The Philippines

Tagged Christmas

Favorite Books about Hanukkah for Kids

Posted on December 14, 2012 | 3 Comments

I’m pleased to welcome back Mia, mom to son Judah, age 5 ½, and wife of Dan. She works as a teacher coach for Children’s Literacy Initiative, a non-profit based in Philadelphia, helping to improve the quality of instruction in inner city schools. Though raising her son in a Jewish home, diverse and multicultural values weigh heavily in making daily parenting choices. In her spare time, she enjoys acupuncture, meditation, walking the dog (Mooshu), cooking delicious plant-based superfoods, reading and writing, and volunteering as an advocate for cancer awareness and healthful living. You can find her at her blog, Remission Statement. Here are some of her favorite books about Hanukkah for kids!

Continue reading →

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Posted in Asia, Celebrations, Israel, Literature

Tagged Chanukkah, fiction children's books

Two Children’s Music Videos Celebrate Hanukkah Traditions From Around The World

Posted on December 6, 2012 | 2 Comments

This guest post is written by award-winning multicultural musician “DARIA-” Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou. Thank you so much for sharing these great music videos with us!

All over the globe, people of the Jewish faith are preparing to celebrate the festival of lights. This year, Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah, Chanukkah or Chanuka) begins at sundown on December 8 and ends on December 16. Although foods, traditions and music vary slightly from place to place and country to country, these two kids Hanukkah music videos share some of the joy and fun that is a universal part of this winter holiday.

Play the Dreydl (Dreidel) Game Continue reading →

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Posted in Around the World, Asia, Celebrations, Europe, Israel, Music, Spain

Tagged Chanukkah

Getting Creative at Chanukkah: A Craft for Kids

Posted on December 4, 2012 | 4 Comments

Mia is back with her second in a series on celebrating Chanukkah with kids. Mom to son Judah, age 5 ½, and wife of Dan, she also works as a teacher coach. Though raising her son in a Jewish home, diverse and multicultural values weigh heavily in making daily parenting choices. In her spare time, she enjoys acupuncture, meditation, walking the dog (Mooshu), cooking delicious plant-based superfoods, reading and writing, and volunteering as an advocate for cancer awareness and healthful living. You can find her at her blog, Remission Statement. Last time she shared the meaning behind Chanukkah and a recipe for potato latkes, and this time she’s sharing a simple- but elegant- craft.

There are lots of ways to get creative around the winter holidays. Take one
search on Pinterest and you will be overwhelmed! One idea is to brighten up
your windows with some Chanukkah shapes, giving them a stained glass effect.
Depending on the age of your child, you may want to prepare some of the materials in advance, making it easier for them to participate. However, if you have older children who would rather have more control over the final product, you can simply supervise!

Hanukkah Craft for Kids- Kid World Citizen

I scrounged around for some pink and green tissue paper – blues and golds would be more authentic.

Continue reading →

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Posted in Around the World, Arts and Crafts, Asia, Celebrations, Israel, The Americas, United States

Tagged Chanukkah

Let’s Learn about Chanukkah and Make Potato Latkes!

Posted on December 2, 2012 | 8 Comments

I am so excited to announce that today’s guest post is written by Mia, mom to son Judah, age 5 ½, and wife of Dan. She works as a teacher coach for Children’s Literacy Initiative, a non-profit based in Philadelphia, helping to improve the quality of instruction in inner city schools. Though raising her son in a Jewish home, diverse and multicultural values weigh heavily in making daily parenting choices. In her spare time, she enjoys acupuncture, meditation, walking the dog (Mooshu), cooking delicious plant-based superfoods, reading and writing, and volunteering as an advocate for cancer awareness and healthful living. You can find her at her blog, Remission Statement. Not only do we get to learn about the meaning behind Chanukkah (sometimes seen spelled “Hanukkah”), she’s also shared a recipe for potato latkes!

In a few weeks, the Jewish holiday of Chanukkah (pronounced with a *ch* at the
beginning as if you are trying to clear your throat) will begin. In the Jewish religion, holidays begin and end at sundown, adhering to the lunar and Jewish calendars; as Chanukkah is celebrated for eight nights, Sunday, December 8 is the first night of Chanukkah this year, and Sunday, December 16 is the last night.

Continue reading →

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Posted in Around the World, Celebrations, Food, Israel, The Americas, United States

Tagged Chanukkah

14 Ways Yoga for Kids is a Great Idea (Part 2 of 3)

Posted on December 1, 2012 | 8 Comments

Giselle Shardlow, children’s author of Kids Yoga Stories, is back for part 2 of her series on Yoga for Kids. She hopes to inspire children by drawing from her experiences as an international primary school teacher, yoga teacher training
graduate, world traveler, mother, and yogi. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and daughter. Her yoga-inspired children’s books and other creative resources can be found at www.kidsyogastories.com, or on her facebook or twitter pages.

In Part 1, I shared 10 Things that I Learned from Yoga Teacher Training, reflecting on the history and culture of yoga.

Since I’ve thought about where yoga came from, now I’d like to share my thoughts on why yoga for children is a great idea, especially when it’s coupled with storytelling: Continue reading →

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Posted in Around the World, Asia, Games and Toys, India

Tagged yoga, Yoga for Kids

Pushkar Camel Fair: A Colorful Holiday in India

Posted on November 26, 2012 | 2 Comments

The Pushkar Camel Fair is a fascinating holiday in India that is comprised of 2 main events: tradesmen converging to trade some 50,000 camels and religious rituals related to the holy Kartik Purnima festival, which is held here on the full moon in the Hindu lunar month of Kartika. In 2012, the Pushkar Fair takes places November 20-28. In 2013, they will celebrate it November 9-17, and in 2014, October 30-November 6. The festival takes place in Pushkar, a small town located in Rajasthan state at the edge of the Thar Desert. Continue reading →

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Posted in Animals, Asia, Celebrations, India

Tagged camels, Pushkar Camel Fair

Diwali Rangoli Art from India: Chalk + Colored Sand

Posted on November 12, 2012 | 14 Comments

Have you ever seen the decorative floor art called rangoli? Rangoli art from India, a folk art used during Hindu festivals to bring good luck and welcome the Hindu deities. Check out these beautiful google images and then try out this stunning, colorful project with your kids. It’s a beautiful, hands-on, collaborative art project that engages kids and teaches about other cultures! Continue reading →

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Posted in Arts and Crafts, Asia, Celebrations, India

Tagged Diwali, education, folk art, multicultural

Try these Easy “Doodh Peda:” Indian Sweets for Diwali

Posted on November 7, 2012 | 4 Comments

We are so lucky to have an amazing public library system where we live, with lots of interactive and educational programs for children. This week we attended an event to learn more about Diwali, the Festival of Lights in India that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. One of the activities that drew the attention of all of the kids was making easy Indian sweets (mithai) called Doodh Peda or Pala Kova. Not only can the kids make these popular Indian sweets themselves- so easy!- they are delicious, don’t require cooking, and are often served during Diwali (plus they are egg-free and gluten-free!). Continue reading →