Bring Thailand to the Classroom: A Sensory Week at UNC I UNC把泰国“搬”进教室：一周感官之旅

UNC

The Science, Geography, and Culture area in the Casa classroom is a space bursting with exploration. Here, children use tangible and authentic materials to open doors to understanding the world—starting with learning about the Earth’s land and water, moving on to the seven continents, and then delving into the natural and cultural landscapes of different countries.

Last week, the children’s journey of discovery brought them to the “Land of Smiles”—Thailand.

Gathered around the map of Asia, the children followed the teacher’s finger to find Thailand’s location. Using a special pricking work activity, they traced the country’s outline themselves, subtly memorizing its shape while refining their fine motor skills.

They learned about the Thai flag, a symbol of the national spirit, and colored it in its distinctive bands of blue, white, and red. They also “stepped into” Thailand’s history, exploring its unique ancient architecture and creating their own landmark models through a DIY craft activity.

★ DIY Craft ★

The geographical exploration didn’t stop there. The teacher brought seashells, conches, and coral from the seashore into the classroom. The children gently inhaled the faint scent of the sea breeze they carried, and held the conches to their ears to listen for the whisper of the distant ocean, as if transported to Thailand’s beautiful beaches and islands.

The country’s modes of transport also filled them with wonder—especially the vibrant “tuk-tuks” found on every street corner, which became a lively topic of conversation. They even learned a traditional Thai greeting, pressing their palms together and softly saying “Sawadee ka.” They also admired elegant traditional costumes, appreciating the beauty of a different culture’s customs and etiquette.

Culture

Of course, the most anticipated and memorable activity was making a classic Thai dish with the teacher—mango sticky rice. The soft, glutinous rice, drenched in rich coconut milk and paired with sweet, tangy, juicy fresh mango—one bite felt like tasting the very essence of Thailand. That day after school, many children eagerly shared with their parents, “Mango sticky rice was absolutely delicious!"

Mango Sticky Rice

The exploration of the continents is far from over. We look forward to the children discovering an even wider world and gaining more wonderful experiences and growth on their continuing journey.

UNC

科学地理文化区是Casa班教室里一片充满探索气息的天地。在这里，孩子们借助直观而真实的材料，推开认识世界的大门——从了解地球的陆地和海洋开始，到认识七大洲，再到深入探索不同国家的自然与人文风貌。

上周，孩子们的探索之旅来到了微笑之国——泰国。