EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY: FUZZY WIRE FLOWER-MAKING WORKSHOP IN CELEBRATION OF VIETNAMESE WOMEN’S DAY (OCTOBER 20TH)

On October 9, 2026, in celebration of Vietnamese Women’s Day (October 20th), students at the Center for Research AND Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CED) took part in a special extracurricular workshop: “Fuzzy Wire Flower Making”. Organized by a team of senior Educational Psychology students from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities – VNUHCM during their internship, the event not only helped the children learn about the significance of October 20th, but also provided a meaningful opportunity for them to express love and appreciation to the special women in their lives using spoken words, sign language, and their own hands.

FUN WARM-UP & INTRODUCING THE “SMILEY STAMP” REWARD SYSTEM

The workshop kicked off with energetic dances to the Chicken Dance and A Ram Sam Sam. The intern students demonstrated each movement slowly, accompanied by expressive gestures and visual aids, ensuring every child could easily observe, follow along, and join in the fun. For deaf and hard-of-hearing children, clear visual cues help them grasp rules quickly, build a sense of belonging, and get excited for the upcoming activities.

Following the warm-up, the students were introduced to the "Smiley Stamp" reward board. Every time a child raised their hand, actively participated, or completed a task, they received a smiley stamp. This timely recognition helped them see the connection between their efforts and their achievements, motivating them to stay actively engaged throughout the session.

DISCOVERING THE MEANING OF VIETNAMESE WOMEN’S DAY

Through familiar images, a fun face-guessing game featuring familiar women, and an animated story video about a girl named Lan, the students explored why October 20th is dedicated to honoring Vietnamese women. Instead of simply listening to explanations, the children observed, reflected, and answered in their own unique ways—whether through speech, sign language, or pointing at visual cards.

From familiar figures like mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and teachers, the students were guided to think about what they could do and say to express love and gratitude. This crucial step ensured that the handcrafted gift they made later carried genuine sentiment, rather than being just a simple craft.

HANDCRAFTING FLOWERS FOR LOVED ONES

The highlight of the event was the fuzzy wire flower-making workshop. Having understood the heart behind Vietnamese Women’s Day, the children got hands-on experience crafting a meaningful gift: a handmade flower crafted with their own hands for the women they cherish.

The intern team demonstrated the process step by step, using visual aids, clear gestures, and distinct lip movements. The children carefully observed, bent each petal, wrapped the stems, and assembled complete, beautiful flowers. These delicate actions required patience, dexterity, and keen observation. Whenever they faced challenges, the interns offered gentle guidance so the children could troubleshoot and complete their work independently, rather than having it done for them.

Every effort was instantly recognized with a smiley stamp and an encouraging "Number 1" sign, letting the children know that their hard work paid off. The finished flowers were more than just pretty decorations—they were heartfelt messages of love and gratitude delivered directly from the children’s hands to their mothers, grandmothers, sisters, teachers, and friends.

The extracurricular session at CED brought the children a joyful, warm, and meaningful experience. Beyond learning about Vietnamese Women’s Day, the students learned how to express gratitude, communicate with confidence, practice patience, and believe in their own abilities. The delicate fuzzy wire flowers, crafted with care and effort, serve as affectionate gifts for their loved ones and mark a memorable milestone filled with smiles.