More Support for PLAY!
See all the easy ways to support your kiddo through play at The Children's Museum!
Published on November 12, 2020
I loved seeing this article in Richmond Family Magazine written by Jessica Gregory at ChildSavers! It reinforces the value of our mission at the Children’s Museum of Richmond: We inspire growth in all children by engaging families in learning through play!
Jessica says in the article, “One effective tool parents can use to connect with their kids and give them an opportunity to share their feelings is something almost everyone can do: play.” At our two museum locations, Downtown and Chesterfield, we help to provide great opportunities for parents and children to do just that.
She goes on to share some tips for play time and I love this approach: Many times, children will express themselves symbolically through their toys. As a play therapist, I often use the phrase, “I wonder why…” to try to understand how children are feeling during play therapy. You can use “I wonder” statements to let your child know you are paying attention to their play and the emotions they are expressing. “I wonder why this guy is laughing?” or “I wonder why this turtle is alone?” Often if you wonder incorrectly during play, your child will correct you.
There are lots of opportunities to play at the Children’s Museum:
We offer FAMILY CLASSES each Tuesday and Wednesday morning at our Downtown location- these are 45 minute hands-on engaging sessions wehre kids can create and make a mess and parents can be supported and not have to clean up! Go to https://www.childrensmuseumofrichmond.org/events/ to see what is currently offered and to sign up.
MUSEUM VISIT! Come and play at either of our museum locations Thursday through Sundays each week. Go to https://emuseum.c-mor.org/GeneralAdmission.aspx to get your timed ticket reservation.
To enhance play at home (and don’t forget the holidays are coming), check out our MUSEUM SHOP to purchase some fresh play items. Both museums have fully stocked shops but you can also shop online and pick up Downtown.
For teachers and homeschool groups we have FIELD TRIP programming in two formats: Children’s Museum to Go where we bring the field trip to you (min. 10 students) or Virtual Field Trips where you have a live educator-led program via Zoom.