Songkran / Sawasdee Pee Mai Greeting Cards
Sawasdee Pee Mai Greeting Cards
Children make Thai New Year cards, copying the greeting 'Sawasdee pee mai' in Thai script and learning the wai, the respectful Thai greeting with palms together.
How to run it
- Show the Thai words for 'Happy New Year' (สวัสดีปีใหม่, sawasdee pee mai) and practise saying them together.
- Demonstrate the wai, a greeting with palms pressed together and a small bow, used to say hello and show respect.
- Have children fold card and decorate the front with water splashes, flowers or elephants, then copy the Thai greeting inside.
- Mention that neighbouring Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar also celebrate new year festivals at this time, and invite Thai families to help with pronunciation if they wish.
You will need
- card
- printed greeting in Thai script
- pencils and markers
- watercolours (optional)
- stickers
Make it easier or harderYounger children can trace the Thai words; older children can learn to write their own name phonetically in Thai with a family helper.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 5, Outcome 2Children explore a new script and greeting, building respect for languages other than their own.
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