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Neighborhood play dates add diversity
(by Sue Hoffman - May 21, 2009)
Neighborhood play dates add diversity
By SUE HOFFMAN
Naomi Hattaway, of Auburn, will relocate with her husband, Todd, and their three children to India next month. Before she goes, she wanted to give local children some of the flavor of that country.
Originally from Nebraska and most recently from Georgia, she said her family is welcoming their new adventure.
"We're learning about India slowly but surely," said Mrs. Hattaway, whose three children are Terran, 14, Tony, 5, and Mia, who is "almost 3."
Last week, she shared some of what she has learned at Play Date Goes Global at the Centerville Mills Camp dining hall in Bainbridge.
With her table featuring such Indian cuisine as mango chutney and a mango fruit mix, Mrs. Hattaway introduced about 30 preschoolers to the art of rangoli, or sand painting, which is so popular in that country.
"If you go into someone's home, they may have used sand to decorate the entrances for a welcome and a blessing," she told the children as she guided them in the art using construction paper, glitter and glue.
Mrs. Hattaway worked with two other mothers, Jen Drozdowski and Sonali Morris, of Bainbridge in planning Play Date Goes Global. All three said they wanted their children to experience other cultures.
"We were talking about how we don't live in more diverse areas and we wanted to give our kids the concept of international awareness now," Mrs. Hattaway said. "We all get together, but we thought, why not make the play date bigger and better?"
"I used to live in New York City," Mrs. Morris said. "I was used to diversity, but when you move to the suburbs, diversity isn't as apparent. I wanted to expose them to the different aspects of life."
Originally from India, Mrs. Morris chose to feature Japan. "I have an interest in origami," she said about her selection. Children visiting the table that she prepared with Joelle Snavely, of Bainbridge, learned not only origami, but also how to hold chopsticks.
Mrs. Drozdowski decided to feature Lebanon. "My husband is half Polish and half Lebanese, she said. Her table featured a Lebanese flag craft along with pita and hummus. The flag represents peace, immortality and tolerance, she said.
With their "passports" ready to go, the preschoolers had the whole world at their fingertips. They could sample homemade bratwurst and make Bavarian pretzels out of molding dough in Germany, savor fortune cookies and make paper lanterns in China, sip wine-colored apple juice and do spaghetti art in Italy, and more. They received a flag sticker for their passport each time they visited a different country. After visiting all of the tables, they presented their passport to receive a goody bag to take home.
Fifteen mothers of young children participated, displaying books, crafts and food from a different country on each table.
Play Date Goes Global planners encouraged other mothers of young children to join them, appealing to the need to expand children's horizons within today's travel budget limitations.
"As families pinch pennies and travel budgets tighten, how do you experience the culture and intrigue of other lands with your kids while watching your wallet?" the three mothers wrote in their flier.
The planners and nearly all of the mothers who joined them are members of the Chagrin Valley Early Childhood Association, an educational and social group for parents of children from birth to kindergarten age.
Sally Goss, of Chagrin Falls, made apple cake for a display on Russia. "My son picked it out on his map," she said about her choice. "It's big and a very unique place. I thought it would be fun." For their craft, children decorated different color circles, in the style of Russia's famous Faberge eggs.
Others contributing to the event were Mary Frances Laganke, of Bainbridge, and Brandi Hamerstone, of Chagrin Falls, who featured Germany; Jennifer Moissis, of South Russell, Greece; Teresa Bochenek, of Bainbridge, Australia; Dawn Bebout, of Bainbridge, and Kim Dixon, of Auburn, China; Carrie Gowans, of Chagrin Falls, Canada; Robyn Hays, of Bainbridge, Italy; and Patty Askin and Michelle Demangone, of Chagrin Falls, France.
Mrs. Drozdowski and Mrs. Morris said they hope to continue play dates with a variety of themes in the future.
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