Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/creating-community-generating-hope-connecting-future-and-past-the-role-of-rituals-in-our-lives/5013648/
It was the season of cherry blossoms and a day of transitions - not a good day for visitors. But we were graciously welcomed with indoor shoes placed at the entrance, tea and cherry blossom cookies and great courtesies by the staff of this early childhood program in Tokyo, Japan. During the Moving Up program that was the focus of the day, the five-year-old children sang a welcoming song about taking care of younger children. Each older child then told what he or she would do to help the younger children and gave one of them a necklace. New teachers also told about themselves and were given a necklace.When we arrived at the Punana Leo o Kawaiaha'o program, in Honolulu, Hawaii, we were asked to wait outdoors and to take off our shoes. The children and teachers assembled outside the classroom to welcome us to their school. In Hawaiian they sang to us, extended their greetings, then presented each of us with an orchid lei and a personal greeting. We were invited to enter their school but asked to speak only in Hawaiian.
At the Kawaiaha'o School, we joined hands in the circle for the morning ceremony of beginning the day. ...