Make It a Museum Night at DCM

In a recent post on Museum Audience Insight, the author mentioned her son's excitement for "Museum Night," a visit to the children's museum that has now become a tradition for their family to celebrate over and over again.

At DCM, we know Thursday evenings have become "Museum Nights" for many of our visitors. Because of the Museum's extended hours on Thursdays (open till 8 p.m.), many visitors use DCM as a destination to meet up with family members coming home from work and enjoy quality time together.

Additionally, Third Thursday is a tradition for many families of children with autism spectrum disorders, visual impairments, and/or mobility impairments.

Every third Thursday of the month, the CAN Coordinator, Parent Support Coordinator and Interdisciplinary Arts Specialist provide extra parent resources and activities from 5-7 p.m. "Some parents have been bringing their children to Third Thursday for years," says Cindy Miller, Community Access Network (CAN) Coordinator. "We have regular visitors that use Third Thursday to meet as part of a specific group's scheduled activities or just come to spend time together as a family. Some come in to check out resources or ask questions," says Miller.

Longtime DCM Volunteer, Dick Treadway has been a part of Third Thursday since its start in 2002. He enjoys greeting families with special needs, helping them check-in and letting them know the resources available to them during the event. "First time visitors seem to appreciate this and many then feel comfortable returning at different times during the week," Treadway states. Adaptive equipment/materials and Photo Books are available to our visitors with special needs anytime the Museum is open.

Please join us October 16, 2008 from 5-7 p.m. as DCM recognizes Disability Awareness Month on Third Thursday. CAN partner Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA) will provide visitors with hands-on disability awareness activities to experience physical, visual, auditory and cognitive challenges. Back by popular demand will be Steven Keefe and his audience-participation Family Jug Band, as well as Janet Hoff with Casey the Therapy Dog. Be sure to visit the Studio for a special art session.

Don't Forget!

Register Now for:

Your Child's Growing Mind: How Families that Play Together Build Brains Together

Thursday, October 23rd 7-8:30 PM

As mentioned in a previous blog post, DCM welcomes Jane Healy, Ph.D for a thought-provoking presentation about how playing with your child can keep your own brain growing along with your child's and help your entire family develop resilience in a rapidly changing technological world.

Dr. Healy will also be taking questions from those submitted on the DCM blog. If you have a question, please submit it here.