Celebrating Diwali

Celebrating Diwali, the children created beautiful Rangoli designs. Rangoli is an art form originating in the

Indian subcontinent, in which patterns are created on the floor or a tabletop using materials such as powdered limestone, red ochre, dry rice flour, coloured sand, quartz powder, flower petals, and coloured rocks. It is an everyday practice in Hindu households, however, colours are preferred during festivals and other important celebrations as it is time-consuming.

Using coloured rice (we’d made the day before) and flowers the children were thoroughly engaged, scooping, mixing, and pouring the material onto the tabletop creating their Rangoli designs. Whilst enjoying the activity, we talked about what colours we were using, what a pattern is, and why Diwali is an important festival to so many people.

With active imaginations, the children’s designs came to life with whales, flowers, and mountains all being created, just to name a few.