Create, connect, hammer, build and more! For years children have been doing just that at the Moser Construction House in DuPage Children’s Museum’s (DCM) Build It Neighborhood, and it’s no secret that doing real work with real tools helps build confidence, creativity and problem-solving skills in even the youngest children.
Recently at DCM, children were able to observe construction practices on an even larger scale, as work on the northwest side of the building began in late June. With partial funding from a grant provided by the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, the deteriorating concrete walkway adjacent to the west parking lot will undergo a full repair. The construction will provide a beautiful new walkway and serves as an opportunity to connect DCM’s exhibit experience with real world trades and professions.
“Hands-on learning opportunities help children connect their own playful learning to real world experiences,” said Mollie Willis, Early Learning Specialist at DCM. “Seeing adults carry out similar functions reinforces the understanding that construction principles and tool-use are an important part of many ‘grown-up’ careers.”
The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley area of Illinois. The tax-exempt public charity allows individuals, businesses and other non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowment and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation. Foundation funds are used to provide grants to nonprofit organizations and scholarships to area students.
For more information, visit www.communityfoundationfrv.org.
The DuPage Children’s Museum is located at 301 N. Washington St.
Photos courtesy DuPage Children’s Museum
Editor’s Note: Mollie Willis also is a contributing columnist to “Raise Your Play IQ, featured monthly in Positively Naperville. Click here to read her column for July 2013.
