What can you do to support our youngest children? | Early Learning, From the Director, New Museum, We Play Campaign

I've been thinking quite a bit lately about the article "Washington’s children paying the biggest price" by Joel Ryan. He clearly shows that the status of many young children and their families in our community is fragile and that we should all be concerned.

I agree with Ryan; we must all act now and do what we can - not just our legislators, but also individually. At the Children's Museum we've already asked: what can we do? The answer: let families with young children play for free.

When the Museum opens the doors of its new home on January 14, admission will be by donation. We are taking a risk with the loss of admission income. But, as Ryan says, investments in developmentally appropriate learning opportunities for young children will pay off for all of us. When basic needs are hard to meet, play sometimes gets left behind, which means children are less effectively and less joyfully meeting their milestones. Providing access to play is the Museum's social obligation.

We can't do it alone. Others are joining us to ensure play for all children. KeyBank pledged $250,000, young children are joining our Piggy Bank Brigade, and the Board is committed to securing $1 million to sustain this Pay As You Will program for Pierce County.

What can you do to support our youngest children?  It will pay off!

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