DuPage Children's Museum

Power dynamics are at the heart of many conflicts. Few conflicts present a challenge greater than the resolve of a toddler - especially one determined to say NO. In the latest DCM blog, our early learning expert breaks down strategies to get to YES. #conflictresolution #parenting #childdevelopment #SEL #bettertogether

A HUGE THANK YOU to our beloved PNC volunteers! This team celebrated their 5 year anniversary serving DCM with a generous donation. PNC contributes volunteer hours as part of the Grow Up Great Grant. DCM was awarded a $3000 grant for the group's volunteer service. In the past year alone, this PNC team assembled 1400+ Learning Lab Kits and 70 Wonder Club Kits, packed 275 books for Wonder Clubs, sold raffle tickets at our annual fundraiser, stamped and coded countless BOGO's, and cleaned exhibits. Volunteers are the lifeblood of nonprofit organizations. DCM values volunteer service and offers a variety of activities to engage a diverse cadre of helpers. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit https://lnkd.in/gg7EeSp. #communitypartner #partnersinplay #bettertogether #thankyou #volunteers

📣Calling all #educators who work with children and families: #earlychildcare professionals, #school district #teachers, out-of-school time educators… DCM has a playful learning opportunity for you Tuesday, August 6, 4:30pm. Learn more:  https://lnkd.in/gAH9tQVX #BetterTogether #CommunityPartner #LearningThroughPlay

“It’s a great opportunity to experience things that are both similar and different from your own traditions,” said DCM Chief of Building and Making, Kimberly Stull. “And that’s part of what brings us all together in this world… to be able to see that we all do the same things. We all eat, we all prepare food, it’s just that we may use some ingredients this way or that way. But it’s really just about play and learning and letting kids #explore things.” Special thanks to Will Payne and Naperville Community Television (NCTV17) for the fantastic segment on pretend play at DCM. #learningthroughplay #powerofplay #ParternsInPlay

Messy play is essential as it supports holistic development by nurturing creativity, cognitive abilities, physical skills, emotional well-being, and social interactions in children. Mess Fest delivered a memorable experience with a variety of opportunities for #sensory exploration. Every day is special at DCM. Plan your visit. https://lnkd.in/e87Sd2nt Mess Fest was sponsored by Goldfish Swim School - Glen Ellyn, Oswald's Pharmacy, and Little Learner Children's Academy. This event was partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council. #BetterTogether #CommunityPartner #partnersinplay

Let the Tinkering Begin! Confidence is soaring at DCM where summer campers bring their imaginations to life! Budding #engineers find joy in the challenges, knowledge in the failures, and the confidence and ability to keep trying as they build gadgets and gizmos that spur imagination, challenge creative thinking, and strengthen problem solving during this summer camp like no other. Bring tinkering into your next #strategy session to get the creative juices flowing. Cardboard and painters tape… paper cups, rubber bands, and toothpicks… sponges, watercolors, and paper. Invite your team to explore some focus time and then put purpose into practice with new ideas. #PartnersinPlay #Creativity #Brainstorm 

PROTOTYPING Art & Architecture The DCM School Programs team recently engaged Museum visitors to prototype a potential PopUp Program, combining #art with #engineering. In DCM fashion, several material types were offered to see how children would interact with various clays and building materials to create a structure. Many participants designed and built really interesting works! Most importantly, DCM gained #insights to inform the future of this family #STEAM engagement activity. Stay tuned and check out current PopUp programming: https://lnkd.in/gyMacAMG! #PartnersinPlay #DesignBuild #CUatDCM

DCM is proud to pilot a new exhibit, A Taste of East Asia, for the Association of Children's Museums (ACM) in partnership with the Freeman Foundation. In the museum world, DCM is recognized as a trusted partner. ACM Special Initiatives Program Manager, Brendan Cartwright, explains, “We are always impressed with the hospitality and skill at DCM; we are thrilled to have them host this prototype exhibit. DCM demonstrates a great connection to their community, and the ability to help kids have fun while engaging with a cultural exhibit. We think that the #diversity of the #Naperville area will also help make this exhibit meaningful and resonant with Museum visitors.” #CommunityPartner #BetterTogether #PartnerinPlay #CUatDCM Plan your visit: dupagechildrens.org/visit/

The United Nations General Assembly recently adopted a resolution to create a new International Day of Play on June 11 every year, beginning in 2024. This initiative, coordinated by a network of organizations, initiated by the LEGO Group and The LEGO Foundation, focuses on encouraging adults to: ⭐ INVEST in children’s well-being by protecting our right to play. ⭐ PROVIDE children with more time and opportunities to play, including in school. ⭐ PROTECT our right to play by creating safe and accessible places to play, including for those of us with special needs. ⭐ RESPECT our rights to be heard in decisions impacting our right to play. ⭐ SUPPORT us in developing social skills through play. Play is a fundamental aspect of childhood. It shapes emotions, helps form friendships, and contributes to a child's overall well-being. There are so many reasons we should all be celebrating the power of play! #InternationalDayofPlay #PowerofPlay #CUatDCM

Bugging Out on the #Naperville #Riverwalk!  DCM is buzzing with delight to partner with the Downtown Naperville Alliance to enhance the Painted Summer Sculpture series. Flutter, crawl, creep, or fly to Downtown Naperville where Museum educators will be leading hands-on nature-inspired #STEAM learning activities.  Children and families will explore some critters (in acrylic), make discoveries with magnifiers, use "bug boxes" to capture live bugs for observation and release, see like a bug wearing special glasses, and dabble in chalk art.  First opportunity to join the fun will be Thursday, June 7 at the corner of Main and Jefferson. Follow DCM socials @dupagechildrens and subscribe to our newsletter for upcoming events. #CommunityPartner #BetterTogether #PartnerinPlay #CatchtheFun #BugCrawl #DowntownNaperville Naperville Convention & Visitors Bureau