Primrose School Holds Celebration of Cultures Day

Infant teacher represents Bolivia and South America in her classroom.

By Stacy Shaw

Primrose School of Bristow held a Celebration of Cultures event, Friday, Sept. 30, in which children were exposed to different countries’ cultures and parents were invited to share in the celebration.

Primrose is a private preschool and daycare that balances academic preparation for grade school and learning through play. The school is unique in that it incorporates science and technology from an early age as well as character education.

Friday’s Celebration of Cultures was the culmination of weeks of preparation by teachers. Each classroom chose a nation, and throughout the week, teachers taught cultural themes.

In one pre-Kindergarten class, where China was the theme, students dressed in traditional Chinese Quipao dresses, made traditional Chinese drums, sedge hats and dragon décor. The other Pre-Kindergarten class celebrated Ireland with green sweaters, shamrocks and flags.

Toddlers wearing the colors of the French flag on their shirts.

Students in the toddler class learned about French culture. With the aid of their teachers, they made French flags and patriotic French finger-painted tee shirts. Parents were invited into class for croissant sandwiches, and children listened to Frere Jacques and other French children’s songs.

The infant class celebrated Bolivia by learning about the rainforest and traditional dress, and another class created an Indian inspired lounge space.

On the afternoon of the multicultural festival, parents arriving to pick up could watch their children participating in a multicultural parade and were invited into the classrooms for ethnic food.

“We want to expose them to all the different cultures to see the way other people live in the rest of the world," Primrose Owner Tom Cheng said.

Primrose School also invited in a music instructor from Back2Rock, Bristow to show students instruments from different cultures.

According to Cheng, last year, the school was able to host the Celebrating Cultures event in one room, but as the school has grown over the last year, they have to adjust.

Preschool children make shamrocks for Ireland.

“With enrollment increasing, I think next year we’ll have to have it on Saturday,” Cheng said.

Cheng said Primrose parents have always been supportive of their efforts, but he always likes when he can include the larger community as well. “What I saw today is the grandparents come too, and that’s pretty awesome.”

Primrose School has participated in recent community events such as Braemar Day and Victory Lake’s Fall Festival. They are still accepting new students.

Those interested in Primrose School of Bristow should call 703-479-7918 or visit their website for more information or to schedule a tour.