By Honorary Reporter Oshini Jayamuni from Sri Lanka
Photos = Jaram Daycare Center, ECLC

Two preschool facilities in Korea last week organized activities to mark Seollal.

Children play traditional Korean games and perform sebae (bowing to elders) at Jaram Daycare Center in Seoul.

Jaram Daycare Center in Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, on Jan. 26 celebrated Seollal early with colorful decorations and Hanbok (traditional attire).

The children celebrated the holiday with a rice cake-cutting activity and eating tteokguk (rice cake soup), which is a tradition on Seollal. They dressed in Hanbok and learned sebae, or the practice of bowing to elders, and received money from them. Also featured were a Hanbok fashion show and traditional games such as yutnori (featuring a board and four sticks), ddakji chigi (folded paper tiles), jegichagi (kicking a shuttlecock) and tuho (arrow throwing).

Early Childhood Learning Center on Jan. 28 held an event for Lunar New Year.

The Early Childhood Learning Center in Seoul's Yongsan District is for children aged 2-6. With children from families hailing from over 25 countries, the center incorporates diversity into its activities. 

On Jan. 28, the center organized an event by combining International Day with Seollal. Staff sang traditional Korean songs with the children weeks prior to celebrating Seollal. The older children ages 5-6 also prepared a Seollal story for their younger counterparts, and teachers also discussed how families traditionally celebrate the holiday and the proper method of sebae. 

Students were encouraged to wear Hanbok or clothing from their native country for the event. They had the opportunity to practice bowing and received special coins from elders. Seollal snacks and those from other countries prepared by parents were served throughout the week, and traditional games organized by the parents were played.

kalhong617@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.