Early life touchpoints

Bringing traditional culture closer to young children requires subtlety in educational methods. Unlike high school students who need in-depth research or individual creativity, preschool children need emotional "touches." At this stage, cultural education is not about memorizing facts, but about forming positive first impressions of their roots through the senses.

Observing a model of experiential education at Ho Van space, a noteworthy point lies in the meticulous preparation and systematic organizational thinking: Instead of being spread out, the program is designed to be compatible with the psychology of young children. Here, children are guided to directly participate in activities deeply rooted in folk traditions.

Designing activities that prioritize visual experience allows children to "touch and see" firsthand. The vibrant colors of the clay figurines, the captivating moments watching puppet shows, or the opportunity to decorate their own spring calendars... all evoke strong emotions in the children's hearts. This thoughtful arrangement transforms heritage into a more accessible entity, where traditional beauty naturally blends with the joy of young children in the early days of spring.

Students from Anh Mai Sang Kindergarten excitedly watch a puppet show at Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam. Photo: HAI YEN

Witnessing her children excitedly making clay figurines and then enthusiastically participating in group games, Ms. Doan Thi Phien, a parent in Hanoi, shared: “Our generation had fewer opportunities to learn in this way. Seeing the children having the chance to experience traditional culture from an early age in the space of the Temple of Literature, I find it very meaningful.” Furthermore, many other parents also expressed their trust and support for the school's direction, witnessing the children's enthusiasm and the practical effectiveness of these experiential activities.

To ensure that the seeds of culture can flourish sustainably.

The children's enthusiasm stems from the program's non-authoritative educational philosophy. Here, approaching culture through emotions rather than pure knowledge has become the "key" to making outdoor activities more engaging and effective.

Ms. Le Thi Thanh Vy, representative of the Van Mieu Fine Arts Club, shared: “With children, we cannot use coercive commands. Instead, we create an open environment for children to explore on their own. Activities such as making clay figurines or coloring spring calendars help children feel the beauty of heritage in the most natural way through their own hands.”

Vy further explained that even with specialized art forms like traditional Vietnamese opera (tuong), the organizers have refined them into the most basic and simple drawing techniques so that children can easily practice on experiential products. "That is the most sustainable way to preserve heritage – to bring heritage back to life through the innocent creativity of the younger generation," Vy emphasized.

Children get to experience making traditional handicrafts.

Sharing the same viewpoint, Deputy Principal Nguyen Thi Thu Ha of Anh Mai Sang Kindergarten affirmed that, in the context of Vietnam striving to reach out to the world, equipping children with a solid cultural foundation is extremely important. “Therefore, the teaching staff always strives to inspire and energize the children so they can directly participate and experience. That is the true value of education. Through experiential activities and folk games, the school aims to help children develop comprehensively in terms of physical fitness and motor skills, while also fostering independence. This is how the beautiful traditional cultural aspects of the nation are preserved and naturally absorbed into the children's souls,” Ms. Ha affirmed.

Experience from field trips to Ho Van Lake shows that when there is harmonious coordination between cultural units, schools, and parents, educational effectiveness will reach its optimal level. National culture will never become outdated if we know how to convey it through humane and inspiring methods.

The journey of cultivating love for heritage may be long, but with such positive shifts, we have every right to hope for fruitful results – where history and culture are no longer distant concepts, but a heartbeat in the very hearts of generations.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/gieo-mam-tinh-yeu-di-san-1025974