A Montessori-Inspired Celebration of Storytelling, Art, and the Chinese Zodiac
This thoughtfully designed collection invites children into the rich symbolism of the Chinese zodiac through storytelling, language, and hands-on creativity. Rooted in tradition yet prepared with young learners in mind, the materials offer a gentle introduction to the twelve animal cycle and the folktale that accompanies it.
Inside the pack you will find:
Bilingual Nomenclature Cards
Montessori-inspired 3-part cards for all twelve zodiac animals, featuring English (print and cursive), Simplified Chinese characters, and pinyin. The intention is not to turn this into a formal language lesson, but to offer respectful exposure to written Chinese while building symbol recognition and cultural awareness.
Zodiac Animal Painting & Colouring Cards
An invitation into open-ended creativity. Children may use watercolours, coloured pencils, or crayons to bring each animal to life while connecting more deeply with its character and symbolism.
Sandpaper-Style Character Templates
Inspired by traditional Montessori tactile letters, these cards include a DIY template on the reverse for creating raised Chinese characters using glitter glue or another textured medium. This provides a hands-on way to trace and explore the form of each character while hearing its sound.
Mini Story Booklet — The Great Race
A simplified retelling of the traditional folktale explaining the order of the zodiac animals. As with many stories passed down through generations, there are multiple versions; this adaptation has been thoughtfully prepared to be accessible to young children while honouring the spirit of the tradition.
Zodiac Reference Wheel
A visual representation of the twelve-animal cycle, including corresponding birth years. The wheel supports independent reference work, encouraging children to locate, compare, and make connections in much the same way they might consult a timeline or simple index.
This pack weaves together storytelling, cultural study, art, and tactile language exploration. Some elements invite collaboration, others lend themselves to quiet independent work, all created with the intention of supporting meaningful and respectful learning.
For best results, print on sturdy cardstock. We often use 180gsm watercolour paper for its gentle texture, particularly when painting.
A Montessori-Inspired Celebration of Storytelling, Art, and the Chinese Zodiac
This thoughtfully designed collection invites children into the rich symbolism of the Chinese zodiac through storytelling, language, and hands-on creativity. Rooted in tradition yet prepared with young learners in mind, the materials offer a gentle introduction to the twelve animal cycle and the folktale that accompanies it.
Inside the pack you will find:
Bilingual Nomenclature Cards
Montessori-inspired 3-part cards for all twelve zodiac animals, featuring English (print and cursive), Simplified Chinese characters, and pinyin. The intention is not to turn this into a formal language lesson, but to offer respectful exposure to written Chinese while building symbol recognition and cultural awareness.
Zodiac Animal Painting & Colouring Cards
An invitation into open-ended creativity. Children may use watercolours, coloured pencils, or crayons to bring each animal to life while connecting more deeply with its character and symbolism.
Sandpaper-Style Character Templates
Inspired by traditional Montessori tactile letters, these cards include a DIY template on the reverse for creating raised Chinese characters using glitter glue or another textured medium. This provides a hands-on way to trace and explore the form of each character while hearing its sound.
Mini Story Booklet — The Great Race
A simplified retelling of the traditional folktale explaining the order of the zodiac animals. As with many stories passed down through generations, there are multiple versions; this adaptation has been thoughtfully prepared to be accessible to young children while honouring the spirit of the tradition.
Zodiac Reference Wheel
A visual representation of the twelve-animal cycle, including corresponding birth years. The wheel supports independent reference work, encouraging children to locate, compare, and make connections in much the same way they might consult a timeline or simple index.
This pack weaves together storytelling, cultural study, art, and tactile language exploration. Some elements invite collaboration, others lend themselves to quiet independent work, all created with the intention of supporting meaningful and respectful learning.
For best results, print on sturdy cardstock. We often use 180gsm watercolour paper for its gentle texture, particularly when painting.
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