When you reflect on your childhood memories, what comes to mind? Are any related to community celebrations and music? How do young children perceive experiences that are important to the adults in their lives?
Dr. Katherine Palmer, Curator of Education at the Musical Instrument Museum, Ana Stigsson Paradise Valley Community College Early Childhood Education faculty, and the staff of One Hundred Leaves Preschool are engaged in a year-long study of the musical beginnings of young children. The project is funded by the First Things First North Phoenix Regional Partnership Council.
Dr. Palmer explains, “Part of our collaborative work at One Hundred Leaves has been investigating the music of the families and their heritage, which presented a great opportunity to explore Asian cultures during Lunar New Year. Fortunately, the education collection at MIM includes a lion dance costume, an important element in many Lunar New Year’s celebrations, and I was able to share the full costume with the children during our musical explorations. We watched videos of costumed lions dancing, explored movements, and then got to see and gently touch the lion head. On Lunar New Year’s, lead teacher, Robbie Ring and husband, Simon Ring, also One Hundred Leaves parents, donned the costume and performed for the children, spreading good luck and cheer for a prosperous new year!”
Robbie shares, “Simon and I were so excited to be the lion. Simon is from Hong Kong and grew up in California. After watching lion dance performances so many times growing up, it was an honor to put on that authentic costume and get a turn at this iconic cultural tradition.”
The knowledge and joy of sharing intergenerational knowledge is obvious. Both children and adults benefit from the experience.
Video of the Event:
Lion Dance at One Hundred Leaves Preschool