Minoan Fresco - A Project for Children Inspired by Ancient Crete

Frescoes are paintings done on plaster. The term comes from the Italian word for fresh, and refers to painting on wet (or "fresh") plaster. There are various fresco techniques, and not all involve working on wet plaster. This activity will be done on dry plaster, which is often referred to as fresco-secco, (secco meaning dry in Italian). Some of the earliest evidence of frescoes are attributed to the Minoan civilization (c.2600 - 1100 BC) of the island of Crete, in Greece. Minoan examples of frescoes are colorful, linear depictions that children can find interesting.

With themes such as animals and lively people in archaic dress, these make for interesting subjects to reproduce. Here is a project that will introduce your child to this early civilization of ancient Greece. Please provide supervision during this activity.

MATERIALS
Plaster of Paris
Bowl and spoons
String
Empty cereal box
Large sheet of drawing paper and pencil
Carbon paper
Ruler
Children's paint
Paint brush

1. Print or directly view one of the Minoan images provided here, or find other images in books of Minoan art or online.
2. Cut a piece of drawing paper that matches the length and width of the cereal box.
3. Draw an outline of the Minoan image onto the drawing paper.
4. Cut the front of the cereal box out, so that you have a shallow box, in which you will pour your wet plaster.
5. In a bowl, mix your plaster according to the manufacturer's directions.
6. Pour the plaster into the cereal box to about 1.5 inches deep.
7. Push the ends of a string into the upper center of the plaster. When dry, you can use this string to hang your fresco.
8. Once dry, remove the plaster from the box.
9. Place carbon paper face down on the plaster. Next, place your drawing over the carbon paper. Now, trace your drawing again, so that the image is transfered onto the plaster with the carbon. Remove the carbon paper and trace your image once more with pencil, so that it is clearly defined.
10. Carefully use your paints to color in your image.

Your Minoan fresco is now ready to be displayed.

Alternatives to Commercialized Toys

Hand knit finger puppets from Peru, paper mache doll holding bird, hand knit doll from Kenya, small hand painted South American drum with beads

Orange wool porcupine from Nepal, wood blocks, African djembe drum

Today, young children are swamped by toys with licensed characters. Often, these personas are associated with television programs, movies, and many other products from bubble bath to food. Such branded merchandise is strongly targeted at children through the media and marketing, which only trains youngsters to be easily persuaded by the media. A large number of these toys foster passive engagement and deny children opportunities to be creative and to use their imagination.

Traditional toys are often a better option for children. Basic wood blocks, crayons and paper, molding clay, rag dolls, puppets and musical instruments encourage creativity and interaction.

Children are also fascinated by simple, handmade toys from different parts of the world. Such toys promote global awareness and pique a child's curiosity. Children and parents can discuss where the toy was made, what was used to make it, and how it is different or similar to play things that can be found at department stores.

Handmade, ethnic toys won't be found at your local Target or Toys R Us, but you can look for them at street fairs, specialty stores, and online. So, when building your child's collection, look for items that promote creativity, learning, and cultural awareness.


*When purchasing foreign toys, make certain that paint is lead free. You can do this by conducting a simple test that can be purchased at most hardware stores.

Beautiful Books with Multicultural Themes

A Cultured Childhood is now a proud affiliate of Barefoot Books.  We endorse their timeless stories, which are in line with our philosophy of introducing children to quality art and world culture.  Please see the link below to browse their extensive collection.  Shipping is offered to anywhere in the United States and to select locations outside of the U.S.

Eight Ethnic Neighborhoods to Visit with Your Child in New York City

1. Greek: Astoria, Queens - Enjoy a Frappe (whipped ice coffee), as you and your child people watch at a trendy Mediterranean style cafe on 30th Avenue. It is very common to see young Greek couples with strollers pulled up to the table. Top cafes include: Balu, Grand Cafe, Avenue, and Athens Cafe. Shop for honey-almond biscuits at Artopolis, and let your child play with the neighborhood kids at Athens Square Park. The park features a sculpture of Athena, which was sent as a gift from Greece. It is located on 30th Avenue and 30th Street. To end the afternoon, visit the Socrates Sculpture Garden, with its whimsical kid friendly creations and a flawless view of the Manhattan skyline.

2. Chinese: Chinatown, Lower Manhattan - Start your adventure in the heart of Chinatown, which is at Mott Street and Canal. Begin with a tapioca-bubble tea at Ten Ren's, located at 79 Mott Street. Not far, you will find the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, at 65 Bayard Street, just off of Mott. There are many little shops along Mott, Canal and other nearby streets that sell one of a kind toys that you will only find in Chinatown. Pearl River Mart at 477 Broadway, is a large Chinese novelty store that is worth the visit. They carry musical instruments, Chinese dolls, arts & crafts supplies, decorations, traditional Chinese clothing, shoes, and much more. The Museum of Chinese in America, is located at 70 Mulberry Street (in 2009, visit them at their new location, 211-215 Centre Street). They offer events for families, which include performances, book readings, walking tours, and interactive games. If you are making your trip in early February, don't miss the Chinese New Year festivities. Here is a link to an impressive performance by the New York United Lion Dance Troupe. Submitted to Youtube by "Iopchurng." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCSMkv026M4

3. Indian: Jackson Heights, Queens. The center of this "Little India, " is at 74th Street and 35th Avenue. Start with a feast at the Jackson Diner, which offers a menu of individual dishes as well as their phenomenal buffet of Indian food. They are located at 37-47 74th Street. Nearby is the Patel Brothers Supermarket. Step inside, and you will feel like you have been transported across the world to India. You will find yourself surrounded by exotic produce, fresh curry leaves, perfumed rice, baked goods, and all varieties of spices. They are located at 37-27 74th Street. If your children are old enough to sit through a movie, bring them to see a Bollywood film at the Palace Theater on 37th Road. (Incidentally, Jackson Heights hosts an annual children's film festival in September. This is not an Indian film festival, but noteworthy films are featured from the United States and around the world.) Before leaving Jackson Heights, visit the Butala Emporium, at 37-46 74th Street. They have a wide selection of Indian merchandise.

4. Italian: Arthur Avenue, Bronx - This is a great area to go to after a visit to the Bronx Zoo. Bring your children to the Arthur Avenue Retail Market, at 2344 Arthur Avenue. There you will find fresh mozarella, parmesan breadsticks, italian cold cuts, cookies, cigar makers, butchers, florists and more. Since 1940, vendors have been selling their goods at this large indoor market. Afterwards enjoy a remarkable Italian lunch at Dominick's, a family friendly restaurant. They are located at 2335 Arthur Avenue.

5. Polish: Greenpoint/Williamsburg, Brooklyn - Venture up Manhattan Avenue and you will find keilbasa shops, Polish bakeries and restaurants. A dish that many children love is pierogies (polish dumplings). Order them with a side of apple sauce and sour cream for dunking. Visit Little Poland at 136 Greenpoint Avenue, or Kasia's at 146 Bedford Avenue for a good lunch. Then, take a stroll, or let your children have fun in the playground at McCarren Park, located at Nassau/Bedford Avenues, Bayard, Leonard and North 12th Street.

6. West African: West 116th Street, between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and Morningside Park, east of Colombia University - This section of Upper Manhattan is known as Le Petit Senegal (Little Senegal). A visit to this neighborhood is a feast for the senses. You call smell incense in the air. See recent immigrants from countries such as The Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mali and Guinea walk past you in beautiful clothing of their native countries. African languages such as Wolof is spoken on the streets, as well as French and the tongues of other West African nations. Take a walk past colorful boutiques, bakeries and restaurants. Buy your children a yard of fabric in an exotic pattern, which can be used at home for crafting. Have lunch at a West African bistro, and before you leave, get your child's hair braided and beaded in an intricate pattern at one of the many hair salons.

7. Korean: Koreatown - In the heart of Manhattan, not far from the Empire State Building, you will find Koreatown. It is located between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, around 32nd Street. Your children will enjoy watching korean dumplings being rolled from green and orange dough, at the sidewalk window of Mandoo. Apart from mouthwatering dumplings, they make delicious soups, and rice and noodle dishes. Another place on this block that your children will enjoy is Pinkberry. Their Korean recipe for frozen yogurt has drawn a following. In addition, the design of the store is modern, colorful and appealing to kids.

8. Hispanic: Loisaida, Manhattan - The neighborhood below 14th Street and East of Avenue A, has a vibrant Latino community. The area can also be referred to as Alphabet City, and is considered part of the Lower East Side, and the East Village, but the name Loisaida captures the flavor of this part of the city. "Loisaida," is derived from the deeply accented, Puerto Rican pronunciation of "Lower East Side." For May visitors, there is the Loisaida Festival and Carnival Celebration held on Loisaida Avenue (Ave. C). It takes place every Memorial Day Weekend, on Sunday. For an authentic Latin American meal, visit Casa Adela at 66 Avenue C. After lunch, bring your children to one of the beautiful community gardens in the area. Each garden is a city oasis. They are maintained by local residents and open to the public. The Children's Garden (12th Street, between Avenues B and C), Jardin de Paradiso (5th Street, between C and D), and although not considered a "community" garden, the Toyota Children's Learning Garden (603 East 11th Street) are great places to bring your children. To see a map of all the community gardens, visit: http://www.earthcelebrations.com/ .

Where to Go with Children in Sicily

Sicily is an unforgettable place to visit. Its lush landscapes, rich history, archeology, art, fine food and warm people make it a fascinating place to explore. There are countless things to do and see. When traveling with children there are times you may find that what might be interesting to you, isn't always interesting to them. However, with a little planning, their experience will be as memorable and as your own.

Older children are fascinated by volcanoes. Sicily has several to visit, namely Etna, Stromboli and Lipari. There are numerous ways to see the volcanoes. You can look at them informally from afar, or you may opt for a walking tour which takes you up the volcanoes. There are also helicopter tours that offer spectacular views of the ever changing landscapes of lava, snow topped mountains, rock, pine forests and the Mediterranean sea.

Parco Etnaland is a water park, located in region of Catania. It has the largest wave pool in Europe, and has numerous slides and water activities. Its cable ride is worth the visit alone. As you move along a cable, suspended in mid air, you will have amazing views of Mt. Etna. You will see the Sicilian countryside with its landscape of hills and valleys, the coast, the aqua park, botanical gardens, and the park's pre-historic area with model dinosaurs. There are gift shops, play and picnic areas, as well as a photography service that provides high quality pictures of visitors enjoying themselves at the park. Etnaland is located at S.S. 121 Catania Paternò exit Valcorrente, Tel. (0039) 095 7913333. There are other water parks throughout Sicily, including Acquapark Paradise City near Syracuse, Parco Acquatico Conte in Sommatino (CL), Europark Roccella San Cataldo (CL), Acquapark near Monreale (PA), Acquasplash in Tre Fontane, (TP), and Castellana Park in Marsala (TP).

The Piraino Toy Museum of Palermo (Museo dei giocattoli Piaino), has a collection of over 600 antique toys and games. It is located a couple of miles outside of Palermo, in an 18th century, noble palace. Via Bandiera 99, Palermo, Tel. 091580008

The Raffaello Pirano Costume Museum (Museo del costume Raffaello Piraino) displays clothing and military uniforms dating back to 1700. Call for a reservation: Tel. 091.329.335, Via Dell'Università 54, Palermo

The Aquarium of Syracuse has a well housed collection of Mediterranean and tropical marine life. Your children will enjoy watching the colorful fish, eels and piranhas. Tel. 333 1674461

The International Museum of Puppets (Museo Internazionale delle Marionette) exhibits puppets from Italy, Europe, and Asia. Puppet shows are presented at that museum. Ask for an English translation of the story. Piazzetta Niscemi, 5, Palermo Tel. 091/328060

Parco Giochi Kids & Families is an amusement park with inflatable slides, moon jumps, soccer fields, ping pong tables, trampolines, an archery range, playgrounds and picnic areas. There are also characters that come around to greet children. Catania, Viale Kennedy 93, Tel. 349.5829084

If you are traveling in December, nativity scenes will be found throughout Sicily. Children will enjoy these beautifully rendered settings. They range from small handmade pieces found in shops and homes, to life sized sculptures and scenes that are portrayed by people in costumes. Most towns will have a "presepe," in their main piazza. Traditionally, the replica of the baby is not presented until Christmas Eve.

Throughout the year, there are festivals taking place all around Sicily. Children enjoy these colorful, folkloric celebrations. For example, each Febraury in Sciacca there is the carnival celebration. The highlight is the parade, with its procession of floats that depict colorful characters with dramatic expressions. Another important festival is La Festa di Sant'Agata, which takes place at the beginning of February in Catania. At this religious festival, many visitors carry oversized candles as they walk through the evening streets. There is also a fireworks show, and a procession of decorative statues and floats. Every May the Inflorata takes place in Noto. Here, artists create amazing pieces of art using arrangements of colorful flowers.

Marzipan is a confection that is generally sold in during the Christmas period. It is especially popular in the area of Palermo. Take your children to one of the many bakeries where you will find the windows decorated with these colorful sweets. Artisan bakers create marzipan reproductions of fruit called frutta martorana. These edibles are delightful collectibles that fascinate children. If your kids can resist their sweet, almond taste, they make for beautiful keepsakes to display on a table or carry home to friends.

Whether you are at a restuarant, cafe, local playground, or on a city bus. You will find that Sicilians are warm and friendly people, who love children. Even if there is a language barrier, encourage your child to socialize, especially with other children. Buy him or her a soccer ball and invite him to kick it around with other kids of the same age at a piazza, or let him or her enjoy a gelato with some children in front of an ice cream stand.

To make your trip a little easier, there are a few things to keep in mind, especially when you are traveling outside of the major urban centers. Be sure to have a lot of essentials on hand, as many stores are closed for long periods in the middle of the day, on Sundays, and for much of August. Finding a changing table in a bathroom may be next to impossible, so bring a changing pad if you are traveling with a small child. If you plan to be out in the countryside using a stroller may prove difficult. A baby carrier or back pack is essential for anyone with young children. No matter what time of the year you plan to travel, always have plenty of sunscreen.

Interactive Learning at the Art Museum

Next time you take your young child to the museum, make it a fun experience of learning with these ideas:

Museum Animals

This is a unique way for children to learn the names of animals and discover fine art.  Take a tour through the galleries of a museum, singing songs like "Old MacDonald," and visiting your child’s favorite animals along the way.

Alphabet at the Museum

A is for an apple by Cezanne, B is for a boat by an African tribal artist, C is for a cat created in ancient Egypt.  Tour paintings and sculptures with your child that feature objects representing letters of the alphabet.  

Colors and Counting at the Museum 

Count one through ten and identify a palette of colors, while visiting a series of paintings from various periods in art history. 

From Circles to Seurat

View pieces of art delineating basic shapes that your child will recognize.  Together, identify Impressionist circles, Cubist squares, rectangles from the Renaissance, and more.

Drume Negrita: A Traditional Cuban Lullaby

Here is a beautifully rendered Cuban song, written by Eliseo Ernesto.  It's lyrics tell of a little black child who cannot fall asleep.  Her feet stretch out from her small bed.  "If you sleep my little black baby, I will buy you a crib with a bell and a canape, and I will bring you a very colorful mamey fruit."

You and your child can listen to this lullaby sung by Bola de Nieve, and watch a series of touching images, by visiting this link, which was posted on Youtube by "fischkoph," from the Domenican Republic:

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=DaHJznhBWmg

Mama la negrita

se le salen los pies de la cunita

y la negra Merce

ya no sabe que hacer



Tu drume, negrita

que yo va compra nueva cunita

que va tener capitel

que va tener cascabel


Si tu drume yo te traigo un mamey muy colorado

si tu drume yo te traigo un babalao

que da pao pao



Tu drume negrita

que yo va compra nueva cunita

que va tener capitel

que va tener cascabel

Ten Ways To Immerse your Child in World Culture

There are many ways to add some world culture to your child's life.  Here is a list of ideas that can familiarize your little one with global diversity.

1.  Visit a museum or gallery where the work of a foreign artist is on display.  Discuss the art with your child.  Ask a curator or guide to share more about the artist and their culture.  

2. Watch a foreign film that a child will enjoy, like "Le Ballon Rouge" ("The Red Balloon"), "Ladri di biciclette" ("Bicycle Thief"), or "Mon Uncle"("My Uncle"). 

3. Cook some ethnic meals and make an evening of it.  You can find cds at your local library of world music that will add flavor to the evening.

4.  Collect some brochures of appealing world destinations and talk about the places with your child.  You can also search Google-Images for pictures of unique places that you and your child may find interesting.

5.  Hire a babysitter who has lived in a foreign country.  Encourage her (or him) to share her experiences, and if possible have her speak to your child in the language of that country.

6.  Is there an ethnic neighborhood in your community?  If so, make a day of visiting stores, bookshops, restaurants and playgrounds in that area.  Talk to your child about that culture and bring home some souvenirs from your visit.

7.  Are there any annual ethnic parades or festivals in  your area?  For example, taking your child to a Chinese New Year parade can make for a memorable cultural experience.

8.  Learn a nursery rhyme in a foreign language.  Teach your child a simple song like the French,  Frere Jacques.  The lyrics of other rhymes from around the globe can be found on the internet and on Youtube.

9.  Read cultural stories.  Folklore, mythology and simple stories from other cultures are widely available at the library and bookstores.  There is something for children of all ages.  Tomie DiPaola has some great stories for toddlers.  "The Little Prince" is a marvelous chapter book for a fourth grader, and Greek mythology is fascinating for pre-teens to adults.

10.  Take a trip abroad.  If your resources allow, taking a child abroad is one of the most impressionable experiences you can offer.  Plan your trip in advance and learn and talk about the culture before you embark on your journey.  When you get back have a party for your friends and your child's friends.  Have a slide show, tell stories, play music and show things that you brought home from your trip.