Community & Inclusion

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By Alexis Turan, Access & Inclusion Intern

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

Every year, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), highlights the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities.

Their campaign seeks to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life, as well as awareness of the barriers that people with disabilities still often face.

In order for everyone to be able to participate in everyday community activities, practices and policies need to be designed to identify and remove barriers. These can include physical barriers that prevent accessibility, communication barriers and people’s attitudes toward how disabilities are perceived. It is important to not define people by their disability or what they are unable to do.

Instead, the priority should be fixing physical and social environments to meet everyone’s needs. An example of this type of shift in thinking would identify “small print” and “stairs” as barriers, not vision issues or the use of a wheelchair. Solutions such as magnifiers, elevators and ramps assist many people at different times in their lives. This change in focus toward universal accessibility can benefit everyone in the community.

This month, take time to reflect on how you can impact your community toward becoming more inclusive.

  • Explore on-line diversity awareness trainings and disability etiquette. United Spinal Association distributes a booklet that provides tips to help promote positive interactions between people and raise everyone’s comfort levels. It also reinforces how important it is to respect people as individuals and to not make assumptions about their needs. The guide is free as a download.
  • The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) has a resource guide to promote National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Their website also provides DDAM 2023 logos and artwork to download and share through social media during the month of March.

Introducing: The Broadway Market Exhibit at Explore & More!

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By Will Kawalec, Cultural Program Educator 

I am taking this months Culture Corner as an opportunity to discuss an exciting change to Explore & More. Some may have heard the news that the Being Good Neighbors exhibit, (made up of the Hispanic Heritage House, Puppet Theater, and West Side Bazaar), is undergoing a major makeover. This transformation will change this exhibit space to an exhibit modeled after a Buffalo landmark, The Broadway Market.

Revitalize the Market

With gracious funding from the City of Buffalo, the team at Explore & More is excited to be creating a space that not only honors the history of the Broadway Market, but also introduces a whole new generation of Western New Yorkers to the historic community space. In conjunction with the City of Buffalo, and the Broadway Market itself, we hope this exhibit works to revitalize the market and captures the imagination of children and their families who visit Explore & More. This exhibit transition has been a long time coming, and here at Explore & More, we are exceptionally excited to share these changes with you.

The Broadway Market was established in 1888 by Polish immigrants, looking to create a meeting place and marketplace that was reminiscent of their homeland of Eastern Europe. Broadway Avenue on the Eastside of the city was the site selected for this new public space. The Eastside during the late 19th century was an area that was predominately occupied by Polish immigrants, and with the creation of this market, a cultural meeting place was established that became a cornerstone of the Buffalo community.

The Market Today

Today the market is still a cultural pillar, and is reflective of the eastside neighborhood, though where the neighborhood was once predominantly Polish, it is now one of the most diverse areas in the Western New York region and the market reflects this demographic changes. You can still buy your butter lamb, and pierogis, though you can get soul food favorites, South Asian cuisine, and enough desserts to satisfy any sweet tooth.

The Broadway Market has seen its fair share of changes since its organic origins in 1888. Over the next century and a half, the market would undergo several changes including its location, and storefront. The market is currently in its third iteration, and there are plans for major renovations in the near future.

As we approach the sesquicentennial of the founding of the original market, both the Broadway Market and Explore & More’s version will combine to usher in the next hundred and fifty years of commerce, culture, and community. So in the very near future, please join Explore & More in the opening of a revitalized exhibit space, the Broadway Market!

Don’t miss Explore & More’s Eclipse Readiness Days

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By Annie Savinon, STEM Educator

Hello to all! I hope you are staying warm and enjoying the new year. This month, I am highlighting a wonderful event that is currently being held at the museum monthly and is free with guest admission.

Any guesses what this event is?! Hint: There is a natural phenomenon happening in April, and Buffalo happens to be lucky enough to have front row seats to view it… 

Cue our Eclipse Readiness Days with LaBella Associates! 

Have you heard? Buffalo just so happens to be within complete totality for the solar eclipse that is happening on April 8, 2024! We encourage you to come stop by the Tinkering Tank the first Saturday of every month leading up to the big day from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. to grab some child-friendly resources and learn something new about this truly special and eventful day.

Our next Eclipse Readiness Day is set for March 2.

Here we have activities to make and take, to help explain to your little one about this special day, and how we can enjoy it to the best of our ability, safely. Also, bring any questions you may have about the eclipse.

We hope to see you there! 

A special shout out to our sponsors for making these days possible! Thank you, LaBella! 

The 8 Play Personalities and how grown ups can have fun, too

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By Mara Gordon, Play to Learn Facilitator

Did you know that play is beneficial for all ages, not just for young learners? You are never too old to have fun and play!

Often, it is easy to get caught up in the daily routine & responsibilities of life and to stop having fun. Many adults struggle to find ways to play or schedule a time to get into the “play state.”

Dr. Stuart Brown, researcher and founder of The National Institute for Play, defines the “play state” as a “state of mind that one has when absorbed in an activity that provides enjoyment and a suspension of sense of time.” It is important to carve out some time in your life to achieve that play state and forget about all those commitments.

Play brings joy to life, relieves stress, helps stimulate brain activity, and connects you to others & the world around you. Dr. Brown has identified eight “play personalities” that can help you find out what kinds of play work best for you:

The Collector: You enjoy building collections, such as collecting stamps or vintage cars.

The Competitor: You enjoy playing (and winning) games with specific rules, like playing for a neighborhood soccer league.

The Creator or Artist: You find joy in making things, or making things work. You might enjoy doodling, woodworking, decorating, fixing machinery, or sewing.

The Director: You enjoy planning and directing, like hosting themed birthday parties.

The Explorer: You play by discovering something new; either physically (a new place) or mentally. You might play by going on a vacation to a new place or discovering a new type of music.

The Joker: You enjoy being silly and foolish. You might enjoy improv theatre or simply making your friends laugh.

The Kinesthete: You enjoy moving your body as play. You might practice yoga or take a dance class for fun.

The Storyteller: You play by listening to or creating stories. You might enjoy going to the theater or writing in a journal.

As you grow up and stop having structured playtime built into your schedule, it is essential to figure out what kind of play personality you have and find activities that are challenging and enjoyable.

Remember: if it’s not enjoyable, then it’s not play!

There are so many types of play that work with different play personalities, but sometimes it’s good to go back to what made you happiest as a child and then work from there. Or try joining your child in their play state to strengthen your bond together & build some great memories.

Explore & More encourages play for all age groups, including adults! On February 16, we are hosting Total Eclipse of the Heart: Grown Up Night of Play, a 21+ evening event to celebrate Valentine’s Day, learn about the upcoming solar eclipse, and play in the museum!

Source: Brown S, et al. (2009). Play: How it shapes the brain, opens the imagination, and invigorates the soul

Why Black history should be studied and celebrated all-year long

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By Will Kawalec, Cultural Program Educator 

This February marks the 48th year of Black History Month here in the United States. The monthly celebration was the brainchild of historian Carter G. Woodson, who lobbied for the creation of a Black history celebration more than 50 years before its official adoption, in the 1920s!

February marks a time to pay homage to Black achievements and contributions to not only our nation but the globe. This celebration raises awareness and shines a light onto African-American triumphs, though it is time to celebrate Black excellence not just during the month of February, but throughout the entire year.

Histories regarding minority and/or objectified groups should be taught every day, not just during specifically defined months.

Here at Explore & More, we want to celebrate Black history all-year long. This might seem obvious to many, although, from an educational standpoint, programming often falls into a pattern of repetitiveness where children are often taught the same things at the same time year after year.

Even more damaging is that teaching Black history is something that is not mandated nationally as it varies on a state-by-state basis.

It is my hope that we can break this trend, and supplement cultural education for children across our community. So, as Black History Month should be something that is celebrated and paid attention to, we must carry that energy throughout the year and encourage education about topics like Black history every day!

This is supported by various educational experts who all emphasize the benefits educational values of regular cultural education:

“Black history is important for all students because most of the things that happened in history are still happening today.” –via the ACLU

“An authentic commitment to teaching Black history year-round includes instilling rigorous sight in Black students and all students. Simply knowing names, places, and dates without generating inquiry to inspect the societal conditions and investigate power dynamics to manifest purpose isn’t teaching Black history. It’s business as usual.” –via Edutopia

“We do not live in a monocultural or monolingual world, so these children who will become decision-makers in the near future need to understand a society that not only includes persons that look like them. If we can teach about all folks, our country will become a better place.” –LaGarrett King via UBNow

We are OPEN FOR PLAY Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm! Field trips are back so please be aware it will be busier than usual.