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Can anyone believe how quickly January disappeared? February is here in what seems the blink of an eye. It is a month full of events and activities to keep everyone busy and entertained.
It is the month which welcomes in the Chinese New Year. February 8th sees the start of the Year of the Monkey. We have devised an information sheet about Chinese New Year and have created a Chinese zodiac word search for the children to enjoy. The following day on the 9th February is Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday as it is sometimes known. We have a factsheet which includes everything you need to know about pancakes and Pancake Day. Then on the 14th of the month it’s Valentine’s Day where here in the UK it is anticipated we will spend almost £503 million on chocolates, cards, flowers and gifts!
So across the month we have a range of activities and things for you to try with the children to recognise each of these days. We hope you have fun.
February 8th – Chinese New Year
Monday 8th February is Chinese New Year. This year it is the Year of the Monkey. The story of the Chinese zodiac animals is an interesting one. According to legend Jade Emperor called a race of animals on his birthday and promised the first twelve animals that finished would be included in a newly created animal zodiac. In order to win, the animals had to cross a rapidly flowing river and reach the finish line on the other side. The cat and the rat were the best of friends but as neither of them were very good swimmers they persuaded the Ox to carry them across. But the rat was full of mischief and half way across pushed the cat into the river so the cat did not finish the race in the top 12. That is why a cat does not feature in the zodiac, and why its hates water and chases rats today!
Once near the bank the rat jumped off the Ox’s back and was the first animal to finish, followed by the Ox and then the tiger. The rabbit earned fourth place in the race closely followed by the dragon. The sneaky snake was hiding behind the horses foot when it suddenly appeared scaring the horse. The snake took advantage and slithered into sixth place with the horse eventually finishing seventh. They were soon followed by the sheep, the monkey and the rooster who finished in tenth place. In eleventh place was the dog. Even though the dog was a great swimmer it told the emperor that it had found the water too tempting and had great fun chasing sticks that were flowing down stream. Just as the emperor was going to close the race he heard an “oink” and pig took the final place. So the order of the animals in the zodiac was confirmed. We have a fact sheet and a Chinese zodiac word search to celebrate Chinese New Year.
February 9th – Pancake Day
Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday, is the traditional feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday, in the Christian calendar. Lent recognises the 40 days leading up to Easter when Christ spent time alone in the wilderness. The traditions of Lent go back to Anglo Saxon Britain when a bell was rung calling people to confession.
Today, parts of the UK celebrate Pancake Day with a pancake race, such as the one which takes place in Otley, Buckinghamshire. In Scarborough the vast majority of the town assembles along the promenade to skip! And at Westminster School in London boys race to grab a piece of pancake which has been tossed high into the air. Read more on these and other interesting Pancake Day facts in our fact sheet.
February 14th – Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is arguably the most romantic day of the year. It is when almost £1.3 bn is spent across the globe on flowers, chocolates, cards and gifts. £503 million is spent in the UK alone. We have created a factsheet on Valentine’s Day but here are some interesting facts we thought you may like.
And finally, (we saved the strangest till last!)
Originally written 1 February 2016