CHOPSTICKS are tricky things - especially when you are only just getting to grips with knives and forks.

CHOPSTICKS are tricky things - especially when you are only just getting to grips with knives and forks.

They can be quite a challenge for grown-ups, and even more of a handful when your fingers are tiny and they just will not go the way you want them to, and the food . . . well, getting food to stay on them?

The youngsters of the Gambrelle Day Care Centre in Wickham Market though had great fun as they learned about Chinese culture, trying a range of foods with some quite striking tastes and textures.

The children aged two to five visited the New Peach Bower restaurant on The Square as part of learning about Chinese New Year, which got under way on Monday .

Day care centre owner Claire Chapman said: “They had a wonderful time and the people at the restaurant were marvellous.

“Tasting the food was a real experience for them and many of them had not had Chinese food before.

“It was all about learning about a different culture, a new experience, and eating with chopsticks was all part of it.”

The children had a Chinese themed day, creating lanterns and pieces of art, and all went home with goody bags.

The day care centre puts huge importance on the children being involved with all aspects of the community and they enjoy many trips out to different restaurants, shops, and facilities as part of their learning.

This year is the Chinese year of the ox, and being born under the sign is said to signify calm, tenacious and hardworking person.

Did you do anything special to celebrate Chinese New Year? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk