Articles on Cultural Matters:

Colourful & Cultural

Twenty-nine eager six-year olds of St. Nicholas Montessori Centres of USJ13 Bandar Utama, and Klang celebrated their last day of kindergarten with a gala show recently, where they had a great time performing for their parents and walking up the stage proudly to receive their Montessori certificates.

The theme of the concert was "The History of Earth". many came dressed as stars, dinosaurs, jellyfishes, and shellfishes and other creatures, whilst others put on traditional costumes, for their role in the concert.

The children, aged two and six years old, performed dances, poem recitals, magic show and musical drama. Part of the show was even emceed by children! The unqiue Montessori curriculum of St. Nicholas Montessori Centres (SNMC) helps enrich a child's understanding of the world that he lives in, via cultural studies, which forms an inherent part of the centres' curriculum.

In this case, The History of Earth concert inspired the children's sense of appreciation about life and the origin of the planets. SNMC operations manager Patrina Chan mentioned that the learning of the different eras sparks interest in children. "They not only get to understand what took place then, but they also find out what happened to the animals and plants at that time. We try to make learning as fun as possible through storytelling, music and movement, art and craft, nature walks, rhymes, poems and so on." said Patrina.

The presentation of history to the preschool child reflected a global and cosmic approach that is always interrelated with cultural elements. The objective of the global approach is to give the widest possible outline of a particular knowledge, and then fill in with a detailed picture. The school finds it important to sow the seeds of learning and unleash the learning potential of the child when they are still fascinated with knowledge.

SNMC offers services beyond that of an ordinary kindergarten or nursery. Its curriculum ensures that children develop physically, intellectually, socially, emotionally and spiritually.

Patrina Chan
St. Nicholas Montessori Centres
Malaysia
www.montessori-edu.org
15 Dec 2006

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Spice Up Your Chinese New Year

Inviting guest over for Chinese New Year? Here's how to throw one with a difference.

Marketing Director of Booze Wine Shop, Emil Teo loves to organize parties for his family and friends on special occasions, be it festive holidays, birthday parties or just small chill-out sessions held at home.

His advice for those planning for this Chinese New Year, do not switch to autopilot mode, or adopt a "let's do what we did last year" attitude. His advice is to inject a bit more fun and be a bit more special into festive parties. Here are some of his suggestions:

Decorations with a difference
Instead of the usual spring couplets (chun lian), lanterns and auspicious characters that hang on available space on the walls, try adding elegent decorations to unusual areas. Tie ribbons to chair backs, sprinkle golden glitter on home ornaments, table linens, lamp shades and even the countertops in your bathroom.

Door gifts for guests
These need not be too expensive. It can be small decorative items bought from Chinatown such as little gold nuggets, a dragon ornament for the guys and a phoenix for the gals. These small gifts will surprise your guests and create amemorable impression.

Orange display
Buy small weave baskets from any art and craft store. Decorate the plain baskets with red and gold ribbons on the handles and lay the oranges in the basket, on top of a golden cloth. This is a great way to offer your oranges (blessings) to your guests.

Dressed-up ang bao
When many red packets are exchanged during a day of house visits, guests may not remember which red packets have been given by whom. Make yours stand out by decorating them with jewel beads or glitter. Your young guests will be thrilled to receive one.

Feeding your guests
A party is often remembered for its food and drink. Here are pairings you can try with classic Chinese New Year goodies.

Creamy and juicy Pineapple Tarts are a festive must-have. Pair them with Alois Kracher, a floral, fruity white with a freshness that will complement the sweet taste of the tarts.

Nian Gao, the sweet and chewy steamed glutinous rice pudding, can be served in a number of ways. The most delicious option is to pan-fry it with egg. Pair this with Mahler-Besse Le Vieux Moulin Blanc 2004, whose Sauvignon grape flavours will give you a refreshing sensation that lifts the after-taste of the glutinous rice.

It is hard to run away from Bak Kwa when it's been barbecued to the right tenderness. Enhance it with a strong Perez Barquero Gran Barquero Oloroso non-vintage. Smooth and elegant on the palate, it will cut through the fatty finish of the barbecued pork.

Crispy Spicy Prawn Rolls can be addictive. Serve them with a zesty dry wine such as Dr. Burklin-Wol Riesling Spatlese P.C. Edition, Wachenheimer Gerumpel 2003. This full-body and acidic white wine will soothe out the spiciness while enhancing the prawn flavours.

NSMan January/February 2007 Edition
Dine + Wine
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