Kindergarten and first-grade students gathered in the Early Childhood Center (ECC) to celebrate Chuseok — one of Korea’s most cherished holidays — on Oct. 2. Elementary homeroom teachers and parent volunteers collaborated to introduce the kids to Korean traditions through hands-on cultural activities and culinary exploration.

During Chuseok, also known as “Korean Thanksgiving,” families assemble to honor their ancestors, celebrate the year’s harvest, and share special foods. The gathering enabled students to immerse themselves in the holiday’s joy. 

The observance featured three main stations: ‘play,’ ‘taste,’ and ‘create.’ At the ‘play’ zone, youngsters tried four different authentic Korean games: Tuho, Yut Nori, Jegi Chagi, and Ddakji. Parents guided the children, explained the rules, and cheered as their kids enthusiastically competed against one another.

At the ‘taste’ station, students sampled handmade Kimbap (Korean Seaweed Rolls) and tteok (Korean rice cakes) while they listened to famous Korean folktales, “Kongji Patji” and “Heungbu and Nolbu”. This combination of food and folklore allowed them to savor the flavors and endeavor in historical literature. 

Lastly, at the ‘create’ corner, they practiced Seoye (Korean calligraphy) by tracing their English names in Korean on Hanji paper with brushes and black ink. Korean folk songs like “Arirang” played in the background and brought a lively atmosphere to the room. To capture unforgettable memories, the scholars posed with friends at the Chuseok-themed photo booth.

Behind the scenes, teachers strived to make the event both unique and inclusive. “We allowed the students to wear traditional clothing, not just Korean. If they happen to come from another country, they’re welcome to wear their country’s traditional clothing because it’s about sharing culture,” said first-grade teacher Ms. Downie. Although centered around Chuseok, the event fostered a safe and welcoming environment for all students. 

Ms. Downie also highlighted the program’s educational goals. “I really believe in edutainment – education and being entertaining at the same time – so they’ll really retain the information that they’re learning. That was the big push for this event,” she said.

Parent volunteers praised the festivity. “I loved to see that all the kids were enjoying their time at school and getting closer with the teacher and their friends; usually parents aren’t able to see it firsthand, but today I could really see it,” said kindergartner Siho Kim’s mom. 

The gathering also strengthened relationships between students, parents, and teachers. Ms. Downie said, “With the parents’ knowledge about the culture, they could help with games, and their interaction with the children was great because they get to share a bond with their child.”

As the day came to a close, students left with full stomachs and a deeper appreciation of Korean culture. “I learned that we eat special food. I also learned about Song Pyeon, and how we do different games,” first grader Jun Cho said. 

Ecstatic with the success of the Chuseok celebration, organizers have their sights set on the next milestone. “In 50 more days we will celebrate our 100 days of school. You’ll have to tune in to find out how we celebrate that,” Ms. Downie said. “We plan to celebrate with the whole school.”

Gallery • 7 Photos

Alex Seo

With bright eyes and steady hands, kindergartener Lani Lee proudly shows off her handmade kimbap, galvanized for her first bite. Her proud face reflects the joy of sharing Korean flavors with friends.