Children’s museum exhibit

 

My daughter in the toddler (2 and under) play area of the children’s museum in 2008

I started working at the children’s museum exactly one year before my daughter was born. I stayed six years until she graduated from pre-K. This was the most fun I ever had at a job. I could see so many aha! Moments in children’s faces. There were so many cool exhibits, but one of my favorites was the entire third floor. This entire floor was the two and under play area. It was specifically designed with infants and toddlers in mind. 

I used to literally get off work, go pick my daughter up from daycare, and bring her back to the museum until they closed so that my daughter could play in the two and under play area. Parents don’t drop them off in the exhibit- they stay and interact with their child. However, a guide like myself was required to man the entrance at all times to ensure the rules were followed. 

One thing I loved about this play area was that the babies got pleasantly exhausted. My daughter fell fast asleep with no issue by about 7 pm on the days she played in the exhibit. 

I personally think it’s important to just let little ones play to their heart’s content during the day, partly so they can fall asleep that easily at night. A lot of child abuse happens because the parents or caregivers think the child has to fall asleep at a certain time and the child simply isn’t tired. In fact in child care settings, this often happens due to state laws that a child has to nap. 

If you can’t find a safe, climate controlled place for your toddler to freely play during the day then look for your local children’s museum and see if they have an exhibit like this. 


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