This week marked the final stretch of our school year, and we were all more than ready for a short breather before diving into our Summer Little House on the Prairie Adventure Box (which I’ll share more about next week!). To keep things light but meaningful, we completed our reading and multiple-choice review before exploring two beautiful aspects of ancient Chinese culture: the tea ceremony and silk screen printing.
Speaking of adventure boxes, click this to find out more about our Ancient China adventure box
The Chinese Tea Ceremony: A Glimpse Into Song Dynasty Culture
Tea drinking in China dates back to the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D. 220), when it was primarily used for medicinal purposes. But it wasn’t until the Song Dynasty that tea evolved into an elegant, artistic ritual. The Chinese tea ceremony—careful, intentional, and deeply symbolic—became an important cultural practice.
To understand this tradition, the children watched a two-part YouTube series explaining the ceremony step by step. They were fascinated by the precision of the process and the reverence shown to such a simple act as preparing tea.
Read More! This post teaches about the geography of ancient China as well as the Xia Dynasty
Ancient Chinese Screen Printing
A Song Dynasty Invention + An Educational Deep Dive
While the Song Dynasty was full of groundbreaking innovations, we chose to focus on one invention that lends itself beautifully to hands-on learning: silk screen printing.
Below is an educational overview of the history and science behind this ancient art form—ideal for homeschool lessons and curious young creators.
Discover more! Read this post about the ancient Chinese writing system, which is so different from our own.
What Is Screen Printing?
Screen printing is a method of pushing ink through a mesh screen (traditionally silk) to transfer a design onto a surface. Parts of the screen are blocked with a stencil so ink passes through only in selected areas.
It is now used for printing everything from fabrics to posters—but its roots lead directly back to ancient China.
Read about another invention of Ancient China: Ancient Chinese currency!
A Short History of Ancient Chinese Screen Printing
Song Dynasty Origins (960–1279 AD)
Screen printing began in China during the Song Dynasty. Artists stretched silk over a frame and used thin paper stencils to block areas of the mesh. Ink was brushed or pressed through the open spaces, creating sharp, consistent designs on silk textiles.
This made it possible to repeat patterns quickly—something that would have taken far longer by hand.
Spread Across Asia
The method traveled to:
- Japan, where artisans refined highly detailed stencil traditions such as katazome
- Other regions where textile decoration was culturally important
Arrival in the West
Screen printing did not become common in Europe until silk became more affordable. By the 20th century, it evolved into an essential technique for mass production and even modern art (famously used by Andy Warhol).
Want to learn more about ancient China? I’ve got you! Read all about the different Chinese religions here.
How Screen Printing Works (Kid-Friendly Explanation)
Screen printing uses three key components:
1. A Screen or Mesh
Originally made of silk, now often polyester or nylon.
2. A Stencil
This blocks parts of the mesh, creating the design.
3. A Squeegee
This spreads ink across the screen so it passes through the open mesh areas.
Through this process, children get hands-on experience with:
- Positive and negative space
- Pressure and ink flow
- Basic printing mechanics
- Design principles
Did you know that ancient Chinese people are thought to be the inventors of the first ever paper? Read more here and make your own!
Our Homeschool Screen Printing Project
To connect our history lesson with hands-on creativity, the children printed the Chinese character for LOVE onto real silk.
Preparing the Materials
- I enlarged and photocopied the character.
- Using a plastic sheet, I cut out the stencil with a sharp blade (for safety, I handled this step).
- Each child received their own silk rectangle for printing.
Printing
The children:
- Positioned their screen
- Helped prime the ink
- Pulled the squeegee
- Revealed their prints with great excitement
Although we had only black ink available, the results were striking and meaningful. Both L10 and C10 were incredibly proud of their final prints.
Once dry, the prints will be ironed and framed as gifts—a wonderful keepsake from our studies.
Why Ancient Chinese Screen Printing Makes a Fantastic Educational Activity
This project blends history, art, and science:
Art + Creativity
- Symbol design
- Stenciling
- Working with textiles
Cultural + Historical Understanding
- Direct connection to the Song Dynasty
- Insight into ancient Chinese innovation
- Understanding how old techniques shape modern industries
STEM Concepts
- Ink viscosity
- Pressure and force
- Mesh density and print quality
Skill Building
- Fine motor skills
- Patience
- Attention to detail
It’s a beautiful mix of tactile learning and historical appreciation.
Finishing the Unit: From the Song Dynasty to the Mongols
We wrapped up by learning how the Mongols brought an end to the Song Dynasty—bringing our history studies full circle back to Marco Polo and the Mongol Empire from earlier this year.
While we’ll certainly return to China in future studies, for now, we’re ready to rest and prepare for new adventures ahead.
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