We’re focusing in on the countries of South Asia. We love Kathy Troxel’s song about South Asia on the album Geography Songs
to learn the names of the countries in this region. (Track 15)
We added a few items from South Asia to our display shelf. There’s a model of the Taj Mahal, a peacock feather fan, a jeweled elephant, and some embroidered shoes. You can find a lot of great souvenirs at your local Indian grocery and gifts store. I found the peacock fan at a street market in New Delhi. There are some peacock feathers available on Amazon too: Pack of 30pc Natural Peacock Feathers 10-12”
These are some of the cards about South Asia in the Asia A-Z book. (Source: Asia A-Z Montessori Pack)
We’ve always had our yoga cards out for independent work, but this was a great time to talk a little bit about where yoga originated. I found this book and card set on the bargain shelf at Barnes and Nobles a few years ago. I haven’t been able to find it anywhere since. You can get the paperback book on Amazon here: Yoga Kids: Keeping Busy Kids Fit and Relaxed
Here’s a nice song to introduce with this: Namaste by Kira Willey
Making a booklet about the parts of a peacock (Source: Asia A-Z Montessori Pack)
Peacock craft. Making that accordion fold is tricky!
Pinpunching and decorating an elephant
We were lucky to have a few parents come in and talk to us about South Asia. We got to taste some aloo roti (flat bread with potatoes) and try on lots of clothes! We got some bindis for our foreheads and even played with some powdered color to celebrate Holi (the Indian spring festival of color)
These are the pages of a little booklet I made to go with the song “By the River Ganges” by Mr. I, Gary Q. and the Rainbow Singers (we love them!) Available on the album “Asia”, track 20.
Here are a few more songs to enjoy while learning about South Asia
Train Song
(language: Bengali)
Machli Jal Ki Rani Hai: a nursery rhyme about fish (language: Hindi)
Chitti Chitti Miriyalu: a children’s song (language: Telugu)
Aliya Puliya: Nursery rhyme (language: Sinhalese)
Alphabet Song (language: Afghani)
Sana Sana Aankha Tara: Children’s song (language: Nepali)
And you can’t leave South Asia without a little Bhangra! Bhangra is a popular contemporary dance and music style based on traditional Punjabi sounds and moves.
http://youtu.be/WA5aRUOipq4
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