It’s time to talk about books! With school around the corner, the month of August is a fantastic time to discuss reading and children’s books.
Explore & More has always emphasized literacy, reading comprehension, and cognitive growth. There are countless books all throughout the museum floor spaces. Each play-zone has books representing the play area that they are in; Learning, Caring, Healing, has books about medicine and the human body, while the Treehouse has books about nature, and animals, and so on and so forth.
Also, the Book Nook and both Sensory Rooms have a multitude of books for more relaxed or extended reading time. Reading for children has been proven countless times to be one of the most beneficial activities one can partake in. In a recent PBS article, the benefits of reading (specifically reading aloud) are highlighted with the following excerpt:
“Reading aloud to kids has clear cognitive benefits. For example, brain scans show that hearing stories strengthens the part of the brain associated with visual imagery, story comprehension, and word meaning. One study found that kindergarten children who were read to at least three times a week had a “significantly greater phonemic awareness than did children who were read to less often.”
Books at Explore & More have been reviewed by the Education Team, ensuring their educational benefits. Explore & More’s books also encapsulate the diverse world of cultures, ideas, and topics that children’s literature encompasses. It is our hope that with the books we have every guest of our museum finds some representation within the pages, as this truly makes a difference in the lives of those children flipping through the book’s pages. Our books are regularly updated and there are always new titles being put out, so keep your eyes open for your child’s next favorite story. On your next visit, encourage your child to read a book, or read a story to your little one! These books will enhance the experience of playing and more importantly, learning at Explore & More.
