Although Spring may officially start in March, Spring in Buffalo does not really get rolling until April. This change in season is a perfect time to take a closer look at our environment and the role we play in it. In April, holidays such as Earth Day, and Arbor Day, are observed (on a yearly basis), in order to inform, educate, and encourage positive change to our environment, both locally and globally.

During the month of April, the Explore & More Education Team has prepared activities and lessons to encourage our guests to be conscious of their environment and the impact they may have on it. Activities such as learning about plants, animals, and our waterways will be frequent throughout the month.

Opportunities to make a difference environmentally such as growing, and planting plants will also be available. Environmental concerns and problems will also be discussed. Talking about topics such as pollution, global warming, and climate change at a young age may be difficult but is vitally important as it will educate and inform the next generation of humans about the world they are inheriting and the changes that will need to be made in order to sustain it. The month of April provides the opportunity to highlight our planet and what we can do to preserve our home. Our hope here at Explore & More is to foster change and create the next generation of environmentalists.

Can you believe it’s April already!? If you haven’t started your garden yet, now is the time! Here is a nifty recyclable and biodegradable craft that you and your kiddo can enjoy. Lay out a plastic tarp or go outside because we are going to get DIRTY!

You’ll need the following: 

• Short craft tubes 
• Scissors
• Ruler 
• Seeds, dirt, water 
• (Optional) Plastic bin, gardening gloves, shovels, and plastic toys.

Directions: 

1. Change the craft tube from a circular shape to a square shape. We will do this by folding your tube in half by flattening it. Notice how it creases. Fold it again by lining up the current creases and flattening it once more. Your tube should be square shaped now. 
2. Cut your square tube in half. You’ll have 2 small tubes now. 
3. Measure 3/4^th of an inch on each crease and make a cut. You will have 4 cuts on each tube. 
4. Fold the flaps over as if we are folding a box. If you’re having a hard time double-check that your flaps aren’t too long or short. 
5. Repeat steps 1-4 with as many tubes as you need. 
6. Fill your tube up with dirt and plant your seed. Give it some water, too! Store your planted seeds in a sunny, temperature-controlled spot until the weather outside is nice and warm. Follow the directions and dates on your seed packet, because not all plants behave the same. 

BONUS FUN: Fill a bin with dirt and add fun sensory toys. Plastic animals, large seeds like corn and beans, shovels, and measuring cups are all my favorite toys. Let your child scoop, play, bury, and squish to their hearts content. Depending on the child, I’ve found this activity can last up to an hour! Who knew dirt could be so much fun!? Happy planting! 

Ms. Jackie
Lead Play to Learn Facilitator

Did you know that Earth Day began in 1970, as Senator Gaylord Nelson hoped to raise public awareness of air and water pollution? 

The idea evolved as a day of education about environmental issues and is now a globally celebrated holiday on April 22nd each year. Some of the topics of Earth Day that are great lessons for children include discussing what pollution is and ways we can keep our air and water clean, how to reduce, reuse and recycle waste, and talking to them about our environment and what kinds of plants, animals, buildings, and water areas they see in their community. 

Try taking a walk together to investigate these things as a family. Point out what you see, talk about the air you are breathing and practice recycling items together at a public facility. You could talk about what waste is versus what can be recycled and where, and how we play a huge role in helping earth by cutting our waste consumption. These are always a good reminder for grown-ups too and a great lesson for little ones on how we can help to keep the earth clean and happy!

Dear Friends,

Play encourages your child to push the limits of the world they know. Unstructured play, like interacting with exhibits and environments at Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr Children’s Museum, where there is no prescribed way to play, is particularly important in helping children foster essential skills for making their way through life: emotional coping, problem-solving, and planning. Through creative play and chances to direct their own actions, children learn to solve problems, make decisions, express ideas, and recognize boundaries.

Play is a child’s context for learning. Here are just a few examples of how children learn and develop at the Museum:

– Cognitive skills – like early math concepts (collecting, sorting, and counting) in Farm to Fork and the basic geometry of circles, spheres and globes using the BEAM in the Playing Together exhibit and science skills by testing sink and float and using the Erie Canal locks to investigate how water rushes, gushes and flows in Moving Water.
– Physical abilities – like leaping from tree stump to tree stump, tiptoeing over the rope bridge, gliding down the slides or climbing up the giant hill in Person Centered Services Community Treehouse, which is accessible to everyone, including guests in wheeled mobility devices. Families can run, move, sock skate, crawl and see what it feels like to be a part of the sports teams that make Buffalo great in Playing Together.
– Communications techniques and new vocabulary – like figuring out signals to let another child know you are ready for her to pull into the Delta Sonic Car Wash to generate energy to the Main Power Panel in the Lighting Buffalo’s Imagination exhibit.
– Social skills – like learning to play with other children at exhibits like Building Buffalo where using play tools, siding, electrical wiring and plumbing to build a wood frame house has so many rewards.
– Early literacy skills – like exploring the alphabet and engaging in storytelling as we have books galore on every floor of the museum.
– Global awareness – like seeing firsthand how food is prepared in other cultures in the Cooking Galley and having a chance to role-play using special techniques, tools, and costumes in the Puerto Rico House in Being Good Neighbors.

And play is an important part of the relationship between a parent and a child, too. There are so many moments of fun, excitement, fascination, and laughter that happen between families when engaging with Explore & More’s interactive exhibits. These moments build wonderful memories and long-lasting trust and resilience. Join us for a day of play!

Looking forward to seeing you soon,
Lisa Chrapowicz,
Sr. Manager of Strategic & Community Initiatives