During the month of November in our kindergarten, we started the month on a high note with the ‘Special Me’ celebration.  The kindergarten was decorated in Autumn colours, the children could see pumpkins placed throughout the school and all sort of ‘cool’ things to look at. The children dressed up as their favourite character, super hero, or animal. It was a fun-filled day with activities such as dancing along the ‘Skeleton Dance, walking around the school showing off their beautiful costumes, learning how to carve a pumpkin and the best part of all, trick or treating. Walking from classroom to classroom, getting candy from all the classes to fill up their candy bags.

Due to the virus quickly spreading in Guangzhou, some of our students could not return to the kindergarten and had to stay at home until it was safe to come back. For the students that stayed in school, the English teachers collaborated with our co-teachers to make sure that online English lessons were prepared via WeChat and on TenCent meeting, which proved to be very interactive and fun for the students. We provided this once a day along with English videos that involved revision, songs and stories along with core course teaching all with arts and crafts. So the children could review at home and practice their English skills. The children received good news and were told that it is safe to come back to school. The good news only lasted for a few days though. After being back for a couple of days, we were told to stay at home again to keep us all safe and happy.

All the teachers at the kindergarten worked very hard to provide the children at home with fun, educational and informative videos so that the children can still have a chance to learn at home. The children also had opportunity to interact with their teachers online, catching up on what they have been up to and singing songs with their classmates and teachers.

The kindergarten also arranged a live greeting and dancing show, it was so much fun getting to see the children again and to have the opportunity to dance and have a good time together.

Although we are heading in to winter we are hopeful to have a warm and prosperous future here at Huamei School and even more and the kindergarten. We sincerely hope to return to the normal school routine again, seeing the children happy and eager to learn. Helping them to improve their English skills through play and interacting with their classmates and teachers.  We are looking forward to the next month, that will be filled with a lot of fun and exciting activities to stimulate the brilliant minds of the little ones.

Teachers, day and night staff eagerly awaits the return of all the student, hoping that they are staying safe and are keeping healthy throughout this difficult time in Guangzhou! Let go, Guangzhou, lets go, Huamei!

□ Author: Tanya Kok