EXPLORING THE DOCTORAL STELES WITH THE STUDENTS OF JEAN PIAGET PRIMARY SCHOOL
On the morning of April 16, 2025, third-grade students from Jean Piaget Primary School participated in a heritage education program at Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, with the theme "Discovering the Fascinating Stories Behind the Doctoral Steles." More than just a field trip, this activity offered the students a lively and inspiring learning experience, helping them understand one of Vietnam's national treasures.
This trip was not simply a sightseeing excursion but a creative educational experience, where the students transformed into little "scientists" to explore and learn about the system of Doctoral Steles – one of Vietnam's most iconic national treasures. Together, the young learners tackled intriguing questions: How many Doctoral Steles are at the Temple of Literature? How many Doctors' names are inscribed on them? How many top scholars (Trạng nguyên) are recorded? What is the significance of the decorative patterns on the steles? Why are these steles considered symbols of Vietnam's tradition of learning and honoring talent?
A highlight of the program was the hands-on activity of printing decorative motifs taken from traditional designs on the Doctoral Steles. The students got to print patterns such as the hoa bảo tiên and hồi văn motifs onto Dó paper—a creative and engaging way to connect with traditional art.
Teacher Nguyễn Hữu Hạnh, who accompanied classes 3A0 and 3A2, shared his heartfelt reflections on the program: "What a fascinating and enriching experience! The children were able to access historical knowledge beyond their textbooks in such a vivid and direct way. With the enthusiastic guidance of the staff and tour guides, they learned more about national heritage and developed their observation and critical thinking skills. The traditional motif printing activity, in particular, left a strong impression on them. Thank you to the dedicated guides for creating such a memorable experience!"
The trip left a lasting impression on the students, nurturing a love for Vietnamese culture from the very first steps of their learning and growing journey.
LH
