Indonesia’s Independence Day Celebration

This year marks 79 years of Indonesia’s Independence. Here in Kinderland Preschool @ Pulomas, the celebration began with a flag raising led by our Kindergarten Two (K2) students. All K2 children took part in the ceremony – one student was the leader of the ceremony, three students being the flag carriers, three students recited the Indonesia Independence Day proclamation, and five students recited the ‘Pancasila’: the official philosophical foundation of Indonesia.

The celebration continued with fun games with students playing traditional games such as transferring marbles with a spoon, inserting flags into a bottle, and many more. The most awaited games were eating crackers competition and tug of war. Children learnt to follow different instructions as well as stayed focused during team building games.

This year, a fun parade for children, teachers and parents was organized. Children were dressed in their preferred national costume and walked around the Pulomas neighbourhood. Independence Day parade is a common activity for children in Indonesia. Through the parade, children done the national costumes with pride and appreciation, preserving the rich cultural heritage of Indonesia.

To make the Independence Day more meaningful for the children, it is essential to explain the significance of the celebrations. The Indonesia flag, the national anthem, and the tradition of playing fun games and parade are all integral part of the Independence Day celebration. Hence, it is important to build cultural awareness in early childhood to lay the foundation for embracing diversity and establishing a sense of belonging towards the wider community.