by Alix Tonsgard
In case you have not already heard, we are ecstatic to re-opening on September 19!
We cannot wait to have the Museum filled with families once again. One of the questions I frequently encounter when out and about at community events is, “Will the Museum be different?” I think that this is partly due to sheer curiosity and partly due to parents’ desire to know what they and their children can expect when they walk in the doors.
From the time they are babies, children like things to be predictable. Routines, rituals, and consistency help children feel safe and secure and give them a sense of control. But as we all know, change is a part of life, and as consistent and routine as we try to be, young children are bound to encounter change. Since change is unavoidable, it is important that we teach our little ones how to handle it.
You might be wondering if you even really need to prepare your child for what you might encounter upon your return to the Museum. Nobody knows your child better than you. Some children will not be phased one bit and others might be fine after a one-time dinner discussion. However, if you are a frequent visitor and your child insists on starting with Glow Art every time you visit followed by Freeze Your Shadow, then Bubbles, and so on, and it has to be the same order every time, you might want to consider talking on more than one occasion about the fact that some things will be different. I would also recommend this for children that have a difficult time with transitions or who seem to be particularly attached to routines throughout the day.
Some things to keep in mind: keep it simple; let them know that there will be some new things but also many things that are familiar, ask them what they remember about the Museum, what they are most excited to play with, and what they think might be different. I also encourage you to periodically visit our construction blog to get a sneak peek at the Museum RE-IMAGINED. Plan your visit today! www.dupagechildrensmusuem.org.
Alix Tonsgard is an early learning specialist at the DuPage Children’s Museum.
