Children learn about the holiday season in Mexico

Color My World Children's Art Studio Director Kathryn Benton sang "Feliz Navidad!" with the children Monday as she introduced them to the culture of Mexico at Ela Area Public Library.

Benton taught Spanish to 18 children as she read stories during the Viva! Mexico program that explored Mexican culture through music, dance, arts and crafts, and stories at the Lake Zurich library.

"We are celebrating the holiday season in Mexico, and we are going to tell a story about the history of the poinsettia," Benton explained. "We teach a little bit of art, a little bit of literacy, a little of music and a little bit of dance from other cultures and countries."

The children learned the history of poinsettias as a holiday plant before using watercolors to make their own poinsettia creations.

"I think this is a really cool art project and that we are learning about the culture of Mexico," said Stella Pashyan, 10, of Hawthorn Woods as she helped her younger sister, Suzanna, brush red paint across her artwork.