Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin is a simple, but beautifully illustrated story about a family getting ready for the Chinese (Lunar) New Year / Spring Festival. For a family that is familiar with the traditions of LNY, the detailed illustrations will make a great picture walk book where you can add your own personal experiences to the story.

It’s still an engaging book to read with little learners as they’ll enjoy looking at the pictures and be exposed to cultural traditions surrounding Lunar New Year.

How did your child enjoy the activities this week? Let us know in the comments below!

Quick Start Guide

1. Read by watching the read aloud video of the story for the week.
2. Learn by building connections between concepts from the story and your child’s world through active reading.
3. Play one of six story extension activities to engage and build upon new concepts learned.

If you are new to TigerKubz’s Storybook-based Activity Guide, read the introduction post for more details.

Listen to the Story

This Week’s Activities

Chinese New Year Puzzles

Math

Materials

• Printable
• Scissor

• Cut out the puzzle strips from the printable.
• Assemble the puzzle by putting the pieces in order by number!

Chinese Zodiac Wheel

Social Studies

Materials

• Printable
• 2 paper plates
• Fastener
• Art supplies

• Cut out the printable and glue onto a paper plate.
• Take the second paper plate and cut out windows so only one animal and its label at the opposite end is visible at a time.
• Decorate the plate.

Hair Cutting

Fine Motor | Photo and activity by Toddler at Play

Materials

• Paper plate
• Yarn or string
• Single hole punch

• Draw a face on the paper plate.
• Clip holes along the edge of half the plate with the hole punch.
• String the yarn through the holes to make hair and cut!

Red Envelope (Hong Bao)

Arts and Crafts // Social Studies

Materials

• Printable

• Cut out the red packet template.
• Fold along the solid black line and place glue on the darker red areas to form the red packet.
• Write your child’s name in the space provided and fill it with coins or little treasures.

Chopsticks Painting

Fine Motor | Photo and activity by Teach Preschool

Materials

• Chopsticks
• Paint
• Cotton balls

• Paint with poms poms using chopsticks

Dumpling Making

Fine Motor

Materials

• Play dough (white, brown)

• Make dumplings using play dough!
• Easy DIY play dough recipe*:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup salt
• 4 tsp cream of tartar
• 2 cups lukewarm water
• 2 tbsp of vegetable oil (coconut oil works too)
• Optional: all spice seasoning for scent
• Mix all the ingredients in a sauce pan on medium heat and stir continuously until a ball forms.

* Play dough recipe by I Heart Naptime

Read. Learn. Play.

Subscribe and receive our free weekly story-based activity guide with all 6 activities, plus:

• The weekly guide in PDF form that links to all the resources
• Print ready guide to have handy
• A story synopsis so you can get some work in while your child watches the read aloud independently
• Detailed guided questions so you can engage in story discussions, without having to read the story

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Sheryll

Sheryll is the proud mom to 3 boys (3, 7, and 14-years-old) and wife to her better half. She is the founder and CEO of TigerKubz and is on a mission to empower parents with tools to easily engage their little learners. When Sheryll is not thinking of creative ways to make learning experiences of everyday life, changing diapers, or chasing after her kids, you may find her in the kitchen trying out new recipes, attempting to fish on a nice day, or jamming out to Disney singalongs with Alexa.

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