As Mother’s Day is right around the corner, I’d like to share some personal reflections about this celebration. Every Mother’s Day I try to do something extra special just to show my mom how much I love her and appreciate everything she has done and continues to do for us as our mother. I know how lucky I am to have such a wonderful woman and heroine in my life. Also, I do recognize that not everyone has this blessing.
This is why Mother’s Day can sometimes bring out many different emotions in people. Some women have lost their mothers, women who have absent mothers, women who are desperately trying or have tried to have a baby and become a mother themselves, and women who are single mothers having to be a mother and a father to their children. The list goes on. We all know women like this or maybe those women are ourselves.
So, this year and every year, let me suggest something. On Mother’s Day, let’s celebrate our mothers, the mothers of the world, and the women in our lives who have helped us become the women we are today. Maybe they are your favorite teacher, your aunt, your grandmother, your stepmother, your neighbor, or a friend. We all have “mothered” someone and have shown them love and support in their time of need. Let’s thank and celebrate those women in our lives, too. To me, these women are not only my mother, but they are also my dear friends who, for years, have given me unwavering love and support. I wouldn’t be who I am today without them.
Again, on Mother’s Day, take the time to celebrate not just mothers of the world, but the women who have helped you become the strong and beautiful woman you are!
All the best,
Lisa Chrapowicz Director of Strategic & Community Initiatives
I hope you’ve been wearing your rainboots and jumping in puddles this April! What kind of spring would it be without wet puddles and oozy mud? I’m so thankful for the rain because it means we will see flowers soon. In this activity we’ll think a little more about rain with an easy do-it-at-home science experiment.
For this experiment we will create a visual example of how rain works. The shaving cream represents clouds, the water represents air, and the food dye is rain. When the food dye drips onto the shaving cream, it’ll stay there shortly, until it’s too heavy. It’ll fall through the cloud and into the water- and look very similar to rain!
Supplies:
Tall container of water
Shaving cream
Food dye
Dropper/pipette (optional)
Steps:
STEP 1: Fill container with water, leaving a few inches from the top STEP 2: Spray shaving cream on top STEP 3: Drip food dye onto the shaving cream STEP 4: Observe
I hope you’ll have fun with this rainy-day themed activity! For added fun spray more shaving cream on a tray for a messy sensory activity. Ms. Jackie
For most Buffalonians April marks the end of winter (although we occasionally get some surprise snow) and brings with it the optimism of spring. Longer days, warmer temperatures and a more hospitable climate draw locals out of their homes and into nature.
The onset of spring in Western New York is a great time to think about a return to nature and reflect on the environment that we inhabit. As the month of April not only marks the beginning of mild temperatures, but the month when Earth Day is celebrated. This holiday will be observed at Explore & More as we hope to continue educating our guests on our planet.
Earth Day originated via grassroots organization and campaigning, and this April, Earth Day will continue to be the most widely celebrated secular observance in the world. The celebration was the brainchild of U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, who helped to organize the first-ever Earth Day to raise awareness about water and air pollution. With the help of millions of climate activists Earth Day led directly to the formation of the EPA or the Environmental Protection Agency. Later the Clean Water Act, National Environmental Education Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Endangered Species Act all were passed into law soon after the first Earth Day. Earth Day has inspired later generations and has had a direct impact on the passing of the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015 which attempts to combat climate change on a global level.
Today Earth Day serves as a reminder that we have one planet that we must protect to continue to call it home. Join us at the museum doing projects that are dedicated to mother earth, creating crafts that encourage environmental awareness, and practicing tasks like recycling and reusing. All with the hope to mold a generation of environmentally conscious individuals, that will make Western New York a better place to live.
The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) has called April “Autism Acceptance Month” since 2011, stating, “Acceptance of autism as a natural condition in the human experience is necessary for real dialogue to occur.” Autism acceptance highlights autism as a unique part of who an individual is, not something to be treated or fixed.
Acceptance emphasizes the importance of society valuing individual differences and not expecting people to change, to fit into a world designed for the non-disabled. Increasingly autistic adults are taking the lead in advocacy, with the motto “Nothing about us, without us.” This changes the conversation, and the goal is for autistic voices to take the lead in shaping policy and change.
What is autism? According to the National Institutes of Health, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disability that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. Pediatricians screen for autism and children can be diagnosed as early as age two. However, many children are not diagnosed until they are much older, and more adults are being diagnosed now more than ever. Autism is considered a developmental disability, meaning people are born autistic and will be throughout their lives. Testing and a diagnosis of ASD will help determine a person’s areas of need, and this varies for each person. One person is not “more autistic” than another, but a person who is non-verbal will have more communication needs than someone who can speak. They will need alternative ways to communicate and accommodations to do so. Autism can look much different in children than it does in adults. For some, autism is an invisible disability. This means they may not show outward “visible” signs or behaviors that we perceive as autistic. This does not make them “less autistic.” Autism falls on a spectrum and is different for every individual.
Is it more respectful to say, “autistic person” or “person with autism”? This is commonly referred to as “identity-first” (identifying disability first) versus “person-first” (identifying the person before the disability) language. A recent study by the National Institutes of Health found that identity-first language is preferred by autistic adults when referring to themselves and others. Many self-advocates emphasize that being autistic is a part of who they are similar to the deaf community, where identity-first language has been used for years. Person-first language is more likely to be used by professionals in the autism community. It is also used when speaking about intellectual disabilities, as a way to separate the individual from the disability. We must continue to respect each person’s individual opinions as well as their right to make choices and decisions for themselves. Regardless of what you hear or read about disabilities, the individual is the authority, and their wishes need to be respected.
Below are some terrific resources I used for this article. This month, take some time to read about autism, disability advocacy and how to be an advocate for more inclusivity in your own community.
Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) is a nonprofit organization run by and for autistic people. The links below are from ASAN:
Did you know that a visit to Explore & More is not just for elementary school students? The museum has several classes and fun opportunities for even our youngest visitors! We have a Toddler Time class that caters to children ages 18 months through 3 years old, and a PreK class called Explore Even More that is the perfect fit for 3- and 4-year-olds alike.
Our classes focus on early art, math and literacy skills mixed with gross and fine motor development. With stories, songs, painting, parachute time and more, your little one will love learning, socializing and playing at Explore & More!
We even have a new class called Play & Learn. This class is a Pre-k class designed for 2.5-4-year-olds with autism/diverse learning needs. Join us for a playgroup style class for diverse little learners and their parents/caregivers. This class will meet the needs of children who benefit from a multi-sensory learning approach and adapted materials. Children will have the opportunity to play in the museum at a quieter, sensory friendly time. They can engage in themed activities that focus on pre-academic skills, social-emotional skills, communication, and motor skills. Adults will have the opportunity to ask questions and share ideas. We will also provide resources, make-and-take activities for home and advocacy tips.
Check out exploreandmore.org for a schedule and description of any of these classes that take place on Saturday mornings at Explore & More from 9am-10am. Our Toddler Time friends will be doing the Bunny Hop on April 8th, our Play & Learn class will be Springtime and Playing with Friends on April 22nd (I will confirm this with Silvia) and Explore Even More will be Planting Seeds of Kindness on April 29th. We hope you’ll join us!
