Young children learn to massage parents’ back, thanking them for their unconditional love.
Teachers at the Tzu Chi Academy of Mississauga began planning for the annual Parents’ Day weeks ago, creating meaningful activities that represent Tzu Chi’s mission of cultural humanities and filial piety.
Children of all ages used their own ways to show their love for their parents. Many parents’ hearts melted with sweetness when the little ones put hand cream on their parents’ hands, massage their backs, or bowed to them with gratitude. One parent, Mr. Mu, was deeply touched when his two children put hand cream on his hands, saying that it’s something he has done for them year after year. Wendy Tan, teacher of the children’s bilingual class, asked her students a few questions about their parents. Her students were shocked to realize how little they knew about what their parents really like to do or eat.
Teenagers often have more conflicts with their parents. In order to enhance proper communication, Grade 6 teacher Cecilia Hsueh designed an activity called “I Describe, You Draw”, which put their communication skills and mutual understanding to the test. Graduating class teacher Sammi Huang played a short film showing how a family member’s unintentional reply can affect someone’s mood dramatically. A few of the mothers couldn’t hold their tears as they watched the movie, probably reflecting on similar moments in their lives. Other teachers used inspirational videos to encourage their students to maintain confidence and courage in the face of life’s obstacles.
The purpose of these activities is to strengthen the bonding and enhance communication between the two generations. As we watched the smiles of satisfaction on the faces of the students and parents as they left the school, we can come to a conclusion that the teachers have once again accomplished an important mission.
This game is to transport a fragile egg together, representing how parents always take care of their children with extreme dedication. 
Junior kindergarten teacher Tina Wang asked parents and children to use simple acts to represent “I Love You”.
A junior kindergarten student serves tea to show her gratitude to her mother. 
小朋友拿乳液擦拭父母的雙手，感恩這雙保護及溫暖他們的雙手。攝影者：洪友仁
譚珍珍老師帶領雙語班的學生與家長玩「真心話大冒險」的遊戲。攝影者：何信賢 
四年級吳麗珠老師教小朋友幸福要與家人一起分享。攝影者：王耀明
Parents peruse the displays showcasing their children’s learning achievements and exciting class photos from the school year.