Duration: 1 day Time: March Cost per person: 300 yuan With whom: Parent-child activities: Food, culture, free travel, weekend trip Published on 2023-03-31 01:59 I am so fond of the ‘JW Family Program’. It’s not only a child-friendly device for families in Shanghai, but I also strongly recommend parents with children from other cities to participate. The JW Marriott Hotel Tomorrow Square, Shanghai has once again joined hands with the Shanghai Museum Academy to present the ‘JW Family Program’ – JW Urban [Mini-Scholar Camp]. This weekend, we experienced a warm and delightful, educational, and entertaining parent-child activity. The JW Urban [Mini-Scholar Camp] art appreciation experience includes live instruction by a senior lecturer from the Shanghai Museum Academy. Through screens, children can enjoy the works of art masters with great interest and learn about ‘composition, color, brushwork’ and other knowledge points. A series of interesting explanations and interactions lead children through the history of European art and unlock the stories behind world-famous paintings… Currently, the Shanghai Museum is exhibiting ‘From Botticelli to Van Gogh – Treasures from the National Gallery of the UK’. During the Spring Festival, I wanted to take my child to visit as soon as possible, but I found it crowded and I hadn’t prepared the artist and art science for the child in advance, so I didn’t go. This time, following the senior lecturer from the Shanghai Museum Academy, we learned in detail about the stories behind the art pieces. As parents, we also feel that we have gained a lot of knowledge. The location of the JW Marriott Hotel Tomorrow Square, Shanghai is very advantageous, only a 10-minute walk from the Shanghai Museum. Therefore, after the hotel’s experience activities, you can also take your child to visit the Shanghai Museum to appreciate the exhibition and learn more about the rich cultural and historical knowledge. At the same time, it is also very convenient to travel from the hotel to the Shanghai Grand Theatre, Shanghai Natural History Museum, Xintiandi, Nanjing West Road and other attractions and commercial streets. Before attending the afternoon’s themed activities, we first came to the JW’s California Grill with an unparalleled view, from the 38th floor front desk to the 40th floor restaurant. The wall at the entrance of the restaurant is adorned with various awards. In front of it is a row of bright windows, allowing you to enjoy the bustling streets of Shanghai, Pudong’s three-piece set, People’s Square, and other views while dining. Jiaojiao was very happy to see the sea of flowers downstairs. It was cloudy that day. If it was a sunny day, we could have taken even more beautiful photos. It must be great to have dinner in the evening, looking at the charming night view of the Magic City, and the mood must be very beautiful while eating. Let’s start the JW Scholarly Parent-Child Food Space Journey. It seems that every dish on the menu is delicious, so let’s let the children decide for themselves.
The pre-meal bread was accompanied by three dipping sauces, which, though appearing ordinary, revealed the high level of baking expertise with the first bite. Jiaojiao’s favorite was the soft dinner roll, paired with specially prepared butter sauce. Despite the main course’s taste, it was already clear that we enjoyed the restaurant. Both the children’s and adults’ appetizers were very refreshing, and the restaurant staff thoughtfully replaced the highball glasses in front of the children with water cups that were more convenient for them to handle. Surprisingly, the portion size of the children’s meal was quite generous, enough for Jiaojiao who has an excellent appetite. Initially, I thought I might need to share my dish with her if the children’s meal wasn’t enough, but upon arrival, I found the portion to be truly substantial. Moreover, Jiaojiao could even share the delicious items she ordered with me. The combination of macaroni and meat sauce was just right, with every bite of macaroni enveloped in rich meat sauce; the sandwiches and burgers were filled with ingredients and distinct layers, ensuring that each bite did not only feel like carbohydrates, which pleased the children immensely. The fried chicken nuggets were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, juicy and delicious, which I also thoroughly enjoyed. My main course was beef tenderloin, which was very tender and easy for the children to eat. The potato salad on the side surprised Jiaojiao; it was her first time trying such a texture and she exclaimed how delicious and unique it was. The tiramisu had just the right amount of sweetness, not at all cloying, and the portion was also generous, perfect for two people to share. Jiaojiao ordered juice, and I had the soup of the day. Jiaojiao tasted the Boston clam chowder and praised it as very tasty and beautiful, perfect for taking photos. At this restaurant, with an average cost of over a hundred per person, one can enjoy delicious food in a five-star hotel, and I strongly recommend it to everyone. With such a great environment and not too many people, the dining experience is truly wonderful. It’s a must-visit place. Of course, the current ‘JW Family Plan’ package offers even better value and is more family-friendly. Jiaojiao always says that finishing the plate is the best praise for the chef, and this is Jiaojiao who was almost done with her plate halfway through the meal. After dining, we played for a while in the beautiful 38th-floor lobby. With such a prime location, every spot offers a view, and the skyline is clearly visible, making it convenient for mothers and their children to take various photos. At 14:20, we arrived at the conference room on the 5th floor, preparing to participate in the JW City’s Mini Scholar Camp course. The organizers were very attentive, not only arranging each child’s seat in the conference room but also setting up their name cards with full ceremony. Don’t underestimate this detail; it’s this small table card that increases the children’s focus during the lecture. The venue also thoughtfully prepared small snacks and coffee for parents and children. Before the class began, Jiaojiao thought European art history would be very dull and felt nervous, but after the event started, she found that the senior teacher from the Shanghai Museum’s College lecture was really精彩, with both knowledge transfer and interesting sharing throughout, which kept the children engrossed.
For instance, the teacher used a small but interesting description to explain the Rococo style, which allowed the little girl, Jiaojiao, to remember it instantly. It felt as if I had returned to my university days, stepping away from the bustling city life to calmly and happily absorb more fresh knowledge. Thus, this scholarly camp for children is also very suitable for older kids, and I even think all art-loving adults could participate. From 14:30 to 15:15, we had an overview of European art history. The teacher guided us through the Italian Renaissance, Northern Renaissance, Venetian School, Baroque, Dutch School, Rococo, Classicism, Romanticism, Impressionism, and Post-Impressionism. Through this event, we and the children entered the world of the exhibited artworks, from the Renaissance to Neoclassicism, witnessing the hardships of progress through time and the immense love the painters had for life. The teacher introduced to the children what these masters wanted to depict and display through their works, and what experiences the painters themselves had gone through. The children learned how to appreciate and differentiate various schools of painting, understand the leading figures, and the impact they had on their times, until we encountered Cézanne, Monet, and Van Gogh, and saw how European artistic styles underwent significant changes. Through immersive explanations, standing before these renowned masterpieces, my child and I seemed to have traveled through 400 years of European art history! That night, before going to bed, when Jiaojiao and I reviewed the day’s activities, the child was able to recount the Romanesque and Gothic styles mentioned by the teacher and also explained to me about Van Gogh’s ‘Field with Butterflies’ and some amusing anecdotes about Monet’s paintings. All this was thanks to the careful planning of JW City’s ‘Little Scholar Camp’. The senior lecturer from Shanghai Museum Academy, invited by the JW Marriott Hotel at Tomorrow Square, was truly impressive, offering solid knowledge presented in a way that children enjoy, allowing them to understand the history of European art over a century in a fun manner. For the featured artworks of this special exhibition, the teacher selected a few to share with the children, discussing the details, such as the painting of a boy bitten by a lizard, ‘Field with Butterflies’. Although Jiaojiao had some knowledge of the background of this painting, she learned more about color and composition from the teacher today,进一步提升了她的審美能力。From 15:15 to 16:00 was the ‘Dialogue with the World: Classical * Impression’ segment. After listening to the explanations, children not only learned about the history, stories, and familiarized themselves with the masters but also had to understand the techniques of painting, such as composition, color, brushwork, and other aspects. It is only through personal experience that a deeper understanding can be achieved.
Under the guidance of professional instructors, participants will create their own ‘masterpiece’ based on their understanding and interests in various themes! The exciting hands-on segment has begun, with the JW Marriott Hotel at Tomorrow Square and teaching assistants providing paints and canvases for children to freely express their creativity. Jiaojiao, who loves the starry sky, has decided to draw inspiration from it to create her artwork. Instructors will patiently guide each child, providing targeted instruction on the painting techniques of the masters, making it so interesting that even parents want to give it a try. Every child paints happily, and at the end, they receive a certificate, signifying their enhanced aesthetic and practical skills. After the event, each child receives a gift carefully prepared by the hotel and the Shanghai Museum Academy. Through a 60-minute fun art appreciation session by a senior lecturer from the Shanghai Museum Academy, combined with a 30-minute interactive painting experience, children’s imagination, practical skills, and creativity are nurtured. The event embodies the philosophy of ‘educating through entertainment, integrating learning with fun,’ inspiring creativity through the exploration of humanities and art, and experiencing the unique charm of European art history and world classical impressions. After class, families can rest in the spacious rooms of the hotel, which also offer a fantastic view of the city skyline. The hotel is conveniently located just a 10-minute walk from the Shanghai Museum, allowing families to continue their art journey and appreciate the works of 52 great artists such as Botticelli, Raphael, Monet, and Van Gogh. Families staying at the JW Marriott Hotel at Tomorrow Square in Shanghai can embark on a fulfilling parent-child exploration journey without leaving the city, unlocking new interactive art appreciation experiences in the city. Before visiting the ‘From Botticelli to Van Gogh’ exhibition at the National Gallery, I highly recommend parents to bring their children to the JW Marriott’s Little Scholar Camp to effortlessly acquire a comprehensive understanding of four centuries of European art history, doubling the enjoyment of their subsequent museum visit. Families who have already visited the art exhibition can also join the Little Scholar Camp at JW Marriott, where professional lecturers will lead children in revisiting the captivating details of the exhibition. In addition to gaining knowledge, families can enjoy delicious food and beautiful scenery. I love weekend getaways that don’t require leaving Shanghai, and so does Jiaojiao. She always brings her little suitcase for a happy and relaxed cultural family trip as part of the ‘JW Family Plan.’ Finally, for those interested in pricing and specific package details, join us with your little ones to expand your knowledge. From March 25, 2023, to September 30, 2023, the JW Marriott Hotel at Tomorrow Square in Shanghai, in collaboration with the Shanghai Museum Academy, will host a monthly Little Scholar Camp event, offering a variety of rich and diverse thematic content.
Lead cute kids to talk about the past and present, connect the East and the West, transform into little ‘erudites’ and little ‘archeologists’, unveil the mysterious veil of ancient history, explore the mysteries of bronze wares, or turn into modest gentlemen and discover the ‘gentle as jade’ in The Book of Songs… Jointly look for the little knowledge ‘hidden’ in treasures. JW’s erudite parent-child accommodation plan. Stay in a hotel luxury room for only RMB 1680 net per night and enjoy the following privileges: – Colorful buffet breakfast the next day (for 2 adults and 1 child under 12 years old). – 90-minute themed fun activity of Shanghai Museum Institute. – JW’s California Grill parent-child lunch set (for 2 adults + 1 child under 12 years old). – Exquisite souvenir. – Customized certificate of honor. – Sunny constant temperature swimming pool and city-view gym. If an additional child participates in the above package, an additional RMB 250 net will be charged. If an additional adult enjoys lunch, an additional RMB 180 net will be charged (enjoy the price increase privilege on the basis of the purchased package). JW’s erudite parent-child ‘food’ journey only costs RMB 588 net/RMB 788 net, and you can enjoy the following privileges: – 90-minute themed fun activity of Shanghai Museum Institute. – JW’s California Grill parent-child lunch set (for 1 adult + 1 child under 12 years old)/(for 2 adults + 1 child under 12 years old). – Customized certificate of honor. If an additional child participates in the above package, an additional RMB 250 net will be charged. If an additional adult enjoys lunch, an additional RMB 180 net will be charged (enjoy the price increase privilege on the basis of the purchased package). For more details, please pay attention to the hotel’s WeChat official account, official website and other platforms.