CRAFTS PROGRAM TEACHES CHILDREN CULTURE

Kids at Franklin School had so much fun Saturday they hardly realized they were learning.

"Making stuff is a lot of fun," said 8-year-old Christopher Griffith as he made another cut into a piece of white construction paper that would eventually be a box.

On Saturday, about 30 children and their parents learned about Boxing Day at the monthly session of Festivals, Families and the Arts, sponsored by the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri.

They learned that Boxing Day is the Dec. 26 English holiday in which the British thank those who help them with the daily routine of life, such as a postman or babysitter. They usually gave the gifts in boxes, from which the name of the holiday was derived.

Participating children learn through art by attending the monthly Saturday meeting. The program is a series of hands-on workshops for parents and children based on customs, holidays and festivals of various cultures and countries. Each skill-based workshop combines a variety of art mediums and art skills.

The children have made steel drums from Haiti and bead necklaces and Eskimo from North America. Future sessions include creating scrolls from China, shadow puppets from Java, flax dolls from Russia and flower baskets from England.

"It gives them different perspectives on problem-solving," said Rita Johnson, who has been the instructor for two years.

"They can look at the problem and, hopefully, solve it," she said. "And they can learn the history behind an art medium and something about another country and its people."

Terry Schmitz of Cape Girardeau likes the fact the program allows her to do things that are educational as well as entertaining with her son Michael.

"We first started coming because it looked interesting," Schmitz said. "It teaches the kids and they like to do a lot of these things."

Debbie Griffith thinks her son Christopher benefits from the sessions.

"And I'm just really glad the community offers programs like this," she said.

Susan Matthews said her daughter Emily, 6, really enjoys arts and this program provides her a good outlet.

"She's really into art and she looks forward to coming every time," Matthews said.