As we enter late September, have you noticed the flags fluttering in the streets and the various crimson decorations? The scarlet banners and celebratory slogans, along with the vibrant atmosphere, signal that National Day is fast approaching. This presents a perfect opportunity for parents to nurture their children's national identity and celebrate this significant occasion together.
Why do we celebrate National Day?
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The Importance of Building National Identity
National identity is a vital component of values education. It helps children develop a sense of belonging to their country, understand their ethnic roots, and gain insight into national development – appreciating the nation's achievements across economic, political and social spheres. Understanding is the first step towards fostering belonging. By enhancing children's sense of belonging to the nation, we help them establish their identity as Chinese citizens. This identity enables them to ground themselves in their nation while engaging with the world, finding their place amidst global currents. It paves the way for them to become responsible, committed citizens in the future.
Encouraging Children to Learn About Their Country Beyond School Hours
While current school curricula place significant emphasis on national education, parents can also seize the opportunity presented by National Day – a time rich with educational material – to engage in family-based national education, helping children understand their homeland through everyday life. For instance, around National Day, parents and children could compile a cultural booklist. Through shared reading, they can explore Chinese history, culture, and daily life together. Parents seeking recommendations for excellent books on Chinese culture may consult the EdCity resource: [Parent-Child Booklist] Embarking on a Journey of Chinese Culture Through Books. We have selected suitable books for parents to embark on an engaging cultural reading journey together.
Of course, understanding national affairs extends far beyond reading. Parents and children can also watch videos related to Chinese culture together, such as the Education Bureau's ‘Chinese Virtues from Ancient to Modern Times - Traditional Virtues and Positive Values Learning Resource Package’. These educational videos help children deepen their understanding of the motherland from a cultural perspective while fostering positive and well-rounded values. We recommend using these videos as discussion starters to explore topics like national identity and other positive values with your children.
Celebrating National Day Together
During the National Day period, various sectors in Hong Kong will host a wide array of events. Parents and children can participate in different National Day activities together, experiencing the pride of being Chinese. First and foremost is the significant National Day flag-raising ceremony. How does this ceremony differ from those held in schools? Parents could even invite children to share their experiences of participating in school flag-raising ceremonies, discussing the relevant etiquette and regulations, and then talking about their feelings about taking part in the ceremony.
After a five-year hiatus, Hong Kong will once again host its National Day fireworks display this year. Parents and children can gather along the Victoria Harbour waterfront to witness the spectacle. Beneath the dazzling fireworks, families can celebrate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, reflecting on the prosperity and vitality symbolised by the display.
This October is a time for celebration and an opportunity for education. Accompanied by stirring marches, explore with your children their identity and their nation.