Practical Strategies for Integrating the Winter Solstice into the Kindergarten's Food Education Program

Abstract

The Twenty-four solar terms represent a knowledge system developed by ancient Chinese laborers through observing the annual motion of the sun, enabling them to understand the patterns of seasons, climate, and phenology. Rooted in the agricultural civilization of China, this system reflects the unique cosmological and natural philosophies of the Chinese people. This study focuses on the Winter Solstice, one of the Twenty-four solar terms, and integrates it with the developmental characteristics of senior kindergarten children and the practice of food education. Through theme activities, the study implements the content in various contexts, including collective teaching, regional activities, play, and home-kindergarten cooperation. It summarizes five practical strategies for integrating solar term culture into food education activities, providing a reference for the integration of traditional culture education and food education in kindergartens.