http://www.playtacoma.org/blog/kids/ en-us Fri, 18 May 2012 19:52:24 PDT Fri, 18 May 2012 19:52:24 PDT SiteCrafting.com GearBox 1.0.10 http://playtacoma.org/blog/kid-quote/ Raven gets a helping hand. As you might imagine, working at the Children's Museum one witnesses lots of cute, funny, and sometimes awe (or even aah!) inspiring moments.  We thought it would be fun to share some of them with you. During a recent group visit, I was very excited to show the children our new exhibit Soar into Story and share the trickster tales of Raven and Coyote.  We chatted in depth about Coyote's nose for trouble and boastful attitude as well as Raven's clever way of stealing the light and sharing it with the world. One little guy, about 3 years old, was working very hard to turn the wheel that moves Raven up the wall and eventually triggers "the sun" to light the sky.  It took him a while but finally after much effort, ta dah...there was light!  I clapped my hands and asked him, "Did Raven throw the sun in the sky?"  With hands on hips, he turned to me, looked me in the eye and replied, "No, I did!!"   What was I thinking?   Sat, 25 Oct 2008 11:12:00 PDT http://playtacoma.org/blog/childrens-museum-elections/ The Veggie Vote is In!This past Tuesday, November 4th, little museum visitors had the opportunity to take part in a special kid friendly election.  While their adults voted for our country and community leaders and initiatives, children were encouraged to vote in favor of their favorite vegetable and color.  After completing their ballots and placing them in our official ballot box, kiddos received  "I Voted at the Children's Museum of Tacoma" stickers to wear proudly and proclaim that the democratic process is alive and well at the Children's Museum of Tacoma. The votes have been tallied and here are the election results:  Pink triumphs as "Favorite Color" by a voter landslide. Carrots claim victory as "Favorite Vegetable" by a narrow margin with peas and corn tying for second place.   I don't know about you, but I find it extremely comforting to know that we have two healthy and delicious veggies ready to take the reigns if for some reason carrots are unable to complete their term. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:12:00 PST http://playtacoma.org/blog/little-philanthropist/ Share SomeHere's another example of an awe..."aah" inspiring moment at the Children's Museum. Recently while working at the front desk I had the pleasure of greeting an "old" friend.  Four year old Hank and his mom Karen had come to play on a rainy Thursday morning. Hank had more important things to do than engage in a lenghty conversation about how excited I was to see him again.  You see, Hank had pockets full of pennies, nickles, dimes and more than a few quarters that he brought to donate to the museum. While he carefully placed each coin into the device atop our donation box that sends the coins spiraling down a funnel ultimately landing at the bottom with a satisfying "clink," Karen shared this with me: Their family received a Children's Museum of Tacoma annual fund request card in the mail.  Upon recognizing the logo of "his" museum on the envelope, Hank quickly intercepted the letter.  He and Karen opened the letter together and Hank asked what it said.  Karen explained that it was a letter requesting families to share money to help support the museum.  Hank then decided that he wanted to give $10 of his savings. Karen explained how excited Hank was to receive his own thank you letter in the mail which prompted more discussion between mother and son about the importance of sharing what you can with organizations that are important to you. Hence the visit and the bulging pockets. Thanks Hank!  Your heartfelt gifts are truly appreciated!   Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:35:00 PST http://playtacoma.org/blog/kids-say-darndest-things/ Defective Duck and Other TalesWe hear some truly funny comments, suggestions and questions and thought you'd enjoy hearing a few one, two and three liners.  Enjoy!Defective Duck Riley picking up a light up duck from the Museum store:  "I have one of these at home!"Play Guide:  "You do.  Do you know how to make the lights flash?"Riley:  "Yes."  He attempts to display the light function without success.Play Guide:  "Here let me try."  Another failed attempt. Play Guide:  "I guess this one's a dud."Riley:  "No...it's a Duck!" Coyote's Cave Play Guide to little girl in Coyote's nose for trouble cave:  "Do you have a nose for trouble?"Little Girl:  "No.  I have a nose for FUN!" Minor Offenses Mother to son upon entering Becka's Studio:  "Look Sean,  you can use markers to draw on the window!"  (Becka's Picture Window)Sean:  "Oh!  Isn't that against the law?" Do you have any funny tales to tell of your own experiences at the Children's Museum?  If so we'd love to hear them! Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:33:00 PST http://playtacoma.org/blog/lose/ We might have it!You might be surprised (but if you have children, probably not) by the number and variety of items that get left at the museum after a day of play. Either way, this blog entry has the potential to unite a lost  possession with its rightful owner, or at the very least, provide a bit of amusement.Here are just a few of the items that live (Yikes! Perhaps a poor choice of words) in our lost and found box: A pair of purple fairy wings A neon green (think antifreeze) headband 5 sippy cups 1 child's size brown shoe 3 travel mugs (sans beverage) 4 water bottles An itsy, yellow plastic lizard An assortment of pacifiers Plush animals in various colors, fabrics and sizes Your marbles? Do any of these treasures sound familiar? Or are you missing a sock, sweater or some other precious piece of paraphenalia?  Give us a call, (at 253-627-6031) let us know what you've lost, and if we have it, we'll gladly hand it over. Fri, 27 Mar 2009 22:46:00 PDT http://playtacoma.org/blog/capturing-memories/ An Idea For the Mom Who Can't Craft My son's birthday is fast approaching and it's a big one; he'll be 10 years old and is excited to be "double digits". Planning his birthday celebration made me a bit melancholy.  I decided to look through old photos to remember when he was small enough to curl up in my lap. What I also found were the interviews I've conducted with him every year on his birthday since he was two. This interview idea wasn't mine. I'm sure I read about it in a book or magazine but these notes of who he was and what he was thinking are by far my most treasured possession.If you'd like to try something similar with your little ones I'd suggest keeping the questions simple, writing down the answers verbatim and asking some of the same questions every year. Putting their hand print or having them sign their name to the interview sheet is also a great touch! Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:42:00 PDT http://playtacoma.org/blog/kids-we-ate/ A Shorter Perspective This potentially worrisome message was found in the Museum's farmer's market exhibit after hours; I can now fully appreciate the power of a pronoun. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:02:00 PDT http://playtacoma.org/blog/smiley-coyote/ A Shorter Perspective One of our members decided to donate their artwork to the Museum's growing collection. The detailed facial expression in this piece always ignites a smile within my own artistic self.  Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:12:00 PDT http://playtacoma.org/blog/thieves-in-museum/ A Shorter Perspective This ransom note was found next to an empty toy cash register in the Museum's New Digs exhibit. The note reads, "We stole your money, you're doomed." Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:04:00 PDT http://playtacoma.org/blog/change-please/ A Shorter Perspective Although we appreciate the artistic depiction of Abraham Lincoln, the Museum store cannot accept counterfeit money. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:07:00 PDT http://playtacoma.org/blog/chem-chem-tortoise/ A Shorter Perspective One of our visitors left this detailed story in our Soar Into Story exhibit. While this short story is indeed a very short story, it is great to see the understanding the author had of story sequencing. Being a good writer means you must first be a good reader; help your child get the most out of reading with Reading Rockets Reading Tips for Parents. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:59:00 PST http://playtacoma.org/blog/woah/ a shorter perspective As a vegetarian, I was thinking the same thing. Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:41:00 PST http://playtacoma.org/blog/fire-safety/ a shorter perspective These safety directions were found in the Museum after hours, good thing we've never had to use them!Note reads: 1. Close doors 2. Go to the wind 3. Yell "fire" Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:17:00 PST http://playtacoma.org/blog/diva/ A Shorter Perspective One of many found creations in Becka's Studio. Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:28:00 PST http://playtacoma.org/blog/dreaming-designs/ Stepping into the world of Design, Build, Play!Buildings and structures of every size and shape can be seen all around us.  In our newest exhibit, Design, Build, Play! children assume the role of architect to create structures of their very own. A recent visitor shared this floor plan of his / her dream house, complete with a: comfy couch, television, light, fan, toilet, and bathroom door.  I especially enjoy the labels as bathroom privacy is especially important when designing a home.  :)   Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:40:00 PST http://playtacoma.org/blog/child-picasso/ It's a ....!Just days ago, this painting was found in Becka's Studio.  Immediately we were drawn to the artist's rich color choices and fluid brushstrokes and yet we all had different interpretations of the painting.  One person saw a cow.  Another saw a boy on a skateboard.  Now it's your turn to enjoy the painting.  What do you see?   Wed, 26 May 2010 15:57:00 PDT http://playtacoma.org/blog/triangle-love/ A Shorter Perspective Adorable artwork left behind in Becka's Studio. Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:13:00 PDT http://playtacoma.org/blog/cmt-water-rockets/ Summer Camp 2010 Summer Camps at the CMT! Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:32:00 PDT http://playtacoma.org/blog/sauls-sandwiches/ and the power of playAs the Museum winds down in its last week of summer camp, I took a moment to sit down and observe the kids and their endless ability to imagine. I was a customer at the world famous, �??Saul�??s Sandwiches�?� which offers menu items such as �??peanut butter and lettuce sandwiches�?� and the �??tallest sandwich in the world.�?� Not to mention the dishes always come in your "favorite" color. Passersby of Saul�??s would have simply seen children �??playing,�?? which wouldn�??t be an incorrect observation but is too often a misunderstood one. When I first sat down at the deli a young girl was dramatically complaining that this was the worst day of her life because her boss was making her work �??too many hours and not giving [her] any breaks and [she] has to do everything she says and [she] doesn�??t even make any money!�?� Another young girl added �??she needs a raise!�?� The kids at Saul�??s were imitating adult situations and circumstances. They had divided workloads and tasks, assigned a hierarchy of employee and employer, and jumped right into the business of sandwich making. The cashier answered the phone �??Thank you for calling�?� hey, what�??s the name of this place?�?� Another girl answered proudly �??Saul�??s Sandwiches.�?� Until then, the restaurant didn�??t need a name, it was operating without one just fine. And like the adult world, the children dealt with inconsistencies and conflicts in policy as the particular issues arose. The playacting was so imitative of adult life that when I summarize the 20 minutes of play I observed, one could easily believe this to be the account of an actual workday at a restaurant: The day started off on the wrong foot as Erin was upset because she�??s overworked and needs a raise. The lunch rush swamped Kate as the phone rang nonstop and the orders became outrageously complicated with no time for breaks. Things got worse when John dropped a whole order and everyone had to quit what they were doing to help clean it up. In The Power of Play, David Elkind writes of the social benefits of playacting. �??Playacting is largely imitative and helps the child appreciate that one thing can be two things at the same time�?�When children play cops and robbers, or humans and aliens, they have to take the perspective of someone else. Because this type of play often has moral overtones-the bad guys and the good guys-this means that the child must be able to take the perspective of both hero and villain.�?� By imitating adult life, the kids at Saul�??s stepped into the perspective of actual employees and managers at a restaurant and gained an understanding of the complexity of working in groups for a common goal. The social benefits of negotiating and working as a team go much further than what some would simply call a �??game.�?� As I left Saul�??s Sandwiches with enough peanut butter and lettuce to start my own small deli, there was no doubt in my mind why they are considered �??world famous.�?� Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:19:00 PDT http://playtacoma.org/blog/art-attack/  An art bomb went off in Becka's Studio this week. Or, at least, that's what it looked like whenever I walked into our lovely art studio. There was art covering every available surface of the studio- art on top of art- and it just kept on coming with no end in sight.  In other words, Spring Break came to Tacoma this week, and it was occasionally wild, mostly messy, and absolutely amazing. Some of my favorite pieces of the week were some awesome clay creations that kids were happy to share with me. There was a particularly fantastic  turtle that a girl spent a good chunk of time on, so that she could get it just right. Another visitor made Spongebob Squarepants, and sent his mom on a search to find a staff member to take a picture (luckily I was the staff member she found, so I can share it with all of you!). And then there was another visitor who I spent some time with while we tried to build the perfect clay cave. He was so proud of his final product that I couldn't not take a picture, because both the end result, and his pride in it, were awesome. There were lots of other amazing creations, too! I firmly believe that something magical happens when you give kids art supplies and let them go wild. The print making, paint, and clay art that happened this week is proof of that. Fri, 06 Apr 2012 23:49:00 PDT