Tissue Paper Painting in the Creativity Studio

Bleeding tissue paper may look nearly identical to ordinary tissue paper, but add a couple drops of water and the colorful and thrilling results quickly demonstrate that it is actually quite special!  During this drop-in activity in our Creativity Studio, children explored a range of painting techniques using bleeding tissue paper, water, and white construction paper.  By applying water with spray bottles, using paint brushes, or dipping the tissue paper itself in a cup of water, children explored the endless ways of creation using this simple material!  Some children chose to remove the tissue paper instantly from their white paper to see the color transfer while others opted for covering their entire paper and allowing the artwork to dry before removing the tissue paper for a grand reveal.  We also provided scissors, and many children

created representational images alongside the many beautifully abstract and colorful creations.  

*Fun Tip—Add a splash of white vinegar to your water for extra vibrant colors!

Creativity Studio drop-ins enhance any visit to DCM. Drop by between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. the next time you are here! 

Blogger Katie Fodor is a Program Developer at DuPage Children's Museum. Katie has an MA in Art History and Museum Studies from Case Western Reserve University. Katie joined DCM’s team in the summer of 2013. 

Exhibit Focus: Ramps & Rollers

Making things move and investigating how that can be done are part of what we do in the Make it Move Neighborhood at DuPage Children's Museum. Here we will look at our Ramps and Rollers exhibit.  What is happening there? 

Ramps and Rollers is designed to be a construction activity. Children can experience the joy and learning that come from actually handling and experimenting with concrete objects—from the thinking and problem-solving that come into play as children approach different ways to accomplish a building task to the feelings that develop when they  discover the success of their own efforts! During interaction with the Ramps and Rollers, each child unconsciously defines his or her own particular set of problems and solutions. Make note, there is no right or wrong way, only experiences that will lend to future learning.  

While engaged in construction activities with Ramps and Rollers, children may observe and predict many different relationships:

•   Gravity and Incline
•   Motion and Speed
•   Friction and Weight
•   Length and Proportion
•    Balance
•    Angles and Change of Direction

      There is also a wide range of learning experiences:

Physical Play and Practice

Through aligning pieces, matching and sorting ramps and support pieces, stacking, balancing, and moving pieces around, as well as repeatedly testing by rolling balls down an inclined plane.

Constructive Play

Continuous building allows for more complex configurations using a series of ramps and turns.

Goal-Directed Play

By experiencing and experimenting with the degree of an incline, span, and speed.

During your next visit, join us in the Make It Move Neighborhood.  An adventure in building your own ramps and pathways awaits!

DCM Celebrates Week of the Young Child

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) established the Week of the Young Child™ in 1971, recognizing that the early childhood years (birth through age 8) lay the foundation for children's success in school and later life. The purpose of the Week of the Young Child™ is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs (NAEYC, 2011).

In partnership with the DuPage/Kane YWCA Childcare Resource and Referral, DuPage Children’s Museum (DCM) hosted two events to celebrate.

Record Reading Event,  One Book….One Week…One Goal!

DCM set off on an adventure to read for the record! Spring was celebrated as staff  engaged visitors in readings of Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert. In this classic book, a father and child share the joys of planting, watering, and watching seeds grow. Once their harvest is ready, they cook up all of the vegetables into the best soup ever!

Provider Open House

This annual event celebrates those who care for our youngest learners. Over 100 early learning professionals enjoyed an evening of refreshments, science and math activities, as well as a panel discussion, Are you Kindergarten Ready?  The panel was moderated by Trish Rooney, Executive Director of SPARK, Aurora’s Early Childhood Collaboration. Panel members were Peggy Keifer, Naperville School District 203 Supervisor/Parent Educator; Mollie Willis, Early Learning Specialist with DuPage Children's Museum; Jan Munday, Family Child Care Provider; Kathy Robson, Wheaton/Warrenville Early Childhood Collaboration Project Director; and Marion Dunham, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago CCR&R Quality and Training Coordinator.  An interactive and engaging discussion focused on how community organizations come together to prepare children for Kindergarten from birth to five years old.

10 Ways Your Baby Learns When You Sing with Them! Part II.

Play Singing is one of many methods of play and "sing-play" is a fun way to interact with babies.

Family fun Singing is a great way to involve older siblings in welcoming a new baby home. Singing to and playing with the baby builds a bond between siblings. Make singing a family activity.

Singing names A baby can learn his name by hearing it in songs. Try substituting your baby's name for other words in songs so he hears his name sung over and over again.

Listening skills Like reading, singing is an activity that requires listening. It is another opportunity for your baby to begin to understand language and feelings expressed through language and sing-play.

LOVE All of this boils down to using your singing voice as a way to express love. Babies don't care if you are a great singer. They only care that you are singing to THEM! In their eyes (and their ears), you will be a star! 

Join DuPage Children's Museum for a Tiny Great Performance where singing, theater, and music are a regular part of our venue! 

Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer are trailblazers in children's and family music. They play dozens of instruments from banjo and mandolin, to electric guitar, steel drum, and ukulele. Learn more about them online at www.cathymarcy.com

Original article from NAEYC for Families (National Association for the Education of Young Children) families.naeyc.org/learning-and-development/music-math-more/10-ways-babies-learn-when-we-sing-them