Spring 2015 Newsletter by Bay Area Discovery Museum

Spring 2015 Literacy

letter from the director

Our Mission: To ignite and advance creative thinking for all children. 557 McReynolds Road Sausalito, CA 94965 BayKidsMuseum.org Please note: Dates, times and prices are subject to change. Please check our website for the most up-to-date listings. Ages The Museum serves children 6 months to 8 years old, their families, educators and caregivers. Admission General Admission: $12 Babies & Seniors: $11 (6 – 12 mo)

(6 5+)

Infants & Members: Free (0 – 6 mo)

Phone Number Main Line: (415) 339-3900 Fax: (415) 339-3901

Directions From the North/East Bay: Take the Alexander Ave. exit just before the Golden Gate Bridge. Follow the signs to the Bay Area Discovery Museum and Fort Baker. From San Francisco: Take Alexander Ave. exit. Follow the signs to the Bay Area Discovery Museum and Fort Baker.

Regular Museum Hours Tuesday − Sunday: 9 a.m. − 5 p.m. Closed Most Mondays Easter Sunday, April 5 Special Hours In preparation for our annual Playdate fundraiser, we will be closed to the public on Friday, May 8 and will open at noon on Saturday, May 9.

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Karyn Flynn rector CEO & Executive Di

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Promoting Early Literacy at the Museum

Announcing the Spring Artist-in-Residence

Succeed

The Public Programs You Love

Why You Should Host Your Birthdays and Events at the Museum

Discovery Camps Registration Now Open!

Talk…Read…

School Programs

Creativity Forum Finds a Room Big Enough for its Ideas

What’s New at

SPring Calendar

Family and After School Classes Build Early Socialization

Not-A-School

Member & Donor

Creative Enrichment Preschool

News and Events

Celebrating Mothers & Mother Earth

Museum at Home: Tips for Cultivating Strong Readers and Writers

who we are

Stop by Tot Spot each morning at 9:30 a.m. for Toddler Circle Time.

An Education Facilitator leads a Storytime in Peekaboo Palace

Promoting Early Literacy at the Museum By Amy Eisenmann, Associate Director, Museum Programming

As research advances, it has become increasingly clear that experiences from birth through age five, before a child starts school, are crucial to the child’s later confidence and competence as a reader and writer. What does appropriate literacy support for the youngest children look like? The Public Library Association, the Association of Library Services to Children and the National Early Literacy Panel all agree on several key skills crucial for young children prior to entering school: phonological awareness, concepts about print, alphabet knowledge and oral language development (Neuman and Celano, National Early Literacy Panel 3–4). Phonological awareness refers to the ability to identify, discriminate between and meaningfully manipulate small variations in sound, like paying close attention to the ending sounds of the words “cap” and “cat” or recognizing rhyming words. Concepts about print is a broad term that refers to an understanding of the functions

and conventions of print (including the knowledge that print is speech that has been written down), book orientation, directionality, reading terminology, identifying the different parts of a book and differentiating text from pictures and words from letters. Alphabet knowledge refers to knowing the names of the letters and the sounds the letters represent. Finally, oral language development includes vocabulary development, grammar and narrative comprehension. Researchers agree: as these skills develop, positive interactions with trusted adults are essential. For babies and toddlers, experiencing pleasure in shared reading experiences is foundational to developing

a disposition inclined towards reading. Early literacy for this age group means joyfully sharing books together, engaging in conversational turn taking even before the child is verbal and making marks and scribbles. As children approach three years of age, they begin to understand that print has meaning, can distinguish fine variations in the sounds of language and can make marks to represent their ideas. These experiences are essential to developing the skills expressed above as preschoolers and kindergartners.

Literacy at the Museum This spring, the Museum is fortunate to be hosting a special exhibition that focuses on providing experiences that support the development of those early literacy skills. Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites features seven beloved children’s books, including classics such as “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, and “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats. Designed in accord with the Museum’s educational philosophy, the exhibition approaches literacy in a fun, developmentally appropriate way: immersing children within the narratives and offering open-ended opportunities to explore the alphabet, real-world print such as signs and shopping lists, vocabulary development and cozy nooks to share a book with your child.

Learn tips for cultivating strong readers and writers at home on page 17. 2 SPRING 2015

BayKidsMuseum.org

Elsewhere in the Museum, the art studios provide small tools to manipulate that help children develop their pincer grasp (necessary for holding a writing instrument) as well as their fine motor skills which enable writing. Tot Spot and Wave Workshop provide puppets and costumes for storytelling that support the development of narrative skills as children begin to playfully create their own stories—enabling them to recognize, appreciate and attend to details of stories in books they encounter at a later age. Stop by Tot Spot each morning at 9:30 a.m. for Toddler Circle Time—led by a Museum Educator—with a fun

story, songs and movement activities to do together. Don’t forget to attend our daily interactive Storytime for all ages at 11 a.m. (check the on-site chalkboard for location). Throughout all of our exhibitions, programs and experiences, the Museum’s goals for literacy development are that children develop receptive and expressive language skills for reciprocal communication; experience, enjoy and use a variety of media creatively as tools for self-expression during play; and build foundational knowledge of, deepen appreciation for and extend literacy skills.

Sources Rosenkoetter, S., & Barton, L. (2002). Bridges to Literacy: Early Routines that Promote Later School Success. Zero To Three, Feb/March 2002, 33–38. Retrieved January 2, 2015, from zerotothree.org/ child-development/early-language-literacy/ vol_22-4f.pdf. Neuman, Susan B., and Donna Celano. Executive Summary (2010): Evaluation of Every Child Ready to Read 1st Edition. Public Library Association and Association of Library Service to Children, 2010. Web. 02 Jan. 2015. National Early Literacy Panel. Developing Early Literacy: Report of the National Early Literacy Panel. Executive Summary. Washington, DC: National Institute for Literacy, 2008.

Nurture a Love of Reading Great Books for Growing Early Readers Ages 0 – 2 years Touch Think Learn series “Colors, Opposites, Shapes, Numbers” by Xavier Deneux These nearly wordless books move beyond red apples to provide fantastic opportunities for language development as you talk with your child and introduce new vocabulary. See and trace raised images: a snake curled into a spiral shape, a blue submarine and a caged and free lion. $14.99; Members $13.49

Ages 3 – 5 years “Little Owl Lost” by Chris Haughton With expressive illustrations and a catchy repetitive text pattern, preschoolers will be reading along with you as this lost owl searches through the forest for her mother. Try asking your preschooler to “read” the story to you. As she recites the text, point out each written word on the page. $14.99; Members $13.49

Ages 6 – 8 years “Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and their Monkey Business” by Esphyr Slobodkina This classic story is great for making predictions about text based on your school-aged child’s growing understanding of narrative. Pause to let your child make predictions as the author asks the reader questions throughout the story.

Museum Storytime Favorites “Harold and the Purple Crayon” by Crockett Johnson A classic for more than 50 years, young Harold draws himself a landscape full of wonder and excitement armed only with an oversized purple crayon. $7.99; Members $7.19

“Not a Box” by Antoinette Portis A box is just a box... unless it’s not a box. From mountain to rocket ship, a small rabbit shows that a box will go as far as the imagination allows. $14.99; Members $13.49

“Not a Stick” by Antoinette Portis With a stick in hand, the options are endless—whether it’s conducting an orchestra, painting a masterpiece or slaying a dragon. Give a child a stick and let imagination take over. $14.99; Members $13.49

“Yeti, Turn Out the Light!” by Greg Long This entertaining bedtime book featuring a scared Yeti will amuse and delight kids, all while encouraging them to turn out the light and go to sleep. $12.99; Members $12.68

$17.99; Members $16.19

All of these books are available in the Discovery Store! BayKidsMuseum.org

SPRING 2015

creativity news

From the Museum’s Center for Childhood Creativity

Talk… Read… Succeed By Elizabeth Rood, Director of the Center for Childhood Creativity

Why Talking to Your Child Matters When my daughter was a toddler, my mother-in-law lovingly teased me that I spoke to her like a grown-up, using complex sentences and vocabulary she couldn’t possibly understand. This came naturally to me, as a teacher of reading and writing; I knew that we learn language best through exposure and practice. But my mother-inlaw’s reaction reflects a shift (both generational and cultural) in thinking about talk with young children. You may have recently noticed ads run by First Five of California urging parents to speak and sing to their children. Like related initiatives all over the nation (see the January 12, 2015, issue of The New Yorker for a great discussion), this campaign is designed to teach families that language exchange builds critical neural pathways in the first few years of life, having long-lasting impacts for children. The wonderful news is that parents can fundamentally shape their children’s brain development through something natural, simple and free—talk.

Research shows that what matters most is not what we talk about, but the quality and frequency of verbal exchange with our young children. Children exposed to complex vocabulary and grammar, and those that engage in dialogue with their parents even before they can speak themselves, are set up better for success: “Da!” “Yes, it’s a dog. A little puppy.” “Puh!” “What color is it? Is it black?” “Blah! Puh!” “Oh, look, she wants to say hi to you. Do you want to say hi?” Baby responds positively, non-verbally. “Be gentle with the puppy. See how she wags her tail. It means she’s excited to play with you. She’s just like Pappy’s dog, only she’s a baby like you.” These exchanges affirm children’s earliest language attempts, expose children to new words and concepts and model varied sentence structure. New experiences— like visiting a museum, going on a hike or riding the bus instead of driving—prompt discussion and exposure in a natural and experiential way to new words and ideas. Reading with our children—even before they begin to speak—is also a key way to expose young children to new words and ideas. Reading is wonderful bonding as well, focused time when our children have our undivided attention in a world of distractions and interruptions. Early reading with children—along with early talking—sets our children up to be reading independently by third grade, the point in education where we shift from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” Competency in reading by this point is key to long-term academic success.

4 SPRING 2015

Word Gaps Lead to Achievement Gaps Talking to your child from the earliest months of her life fundamentally shapes the wiring of the brain, influencing not only later reading skills but also I.Q. scores. In the 1980s, a small but noteworthy study revealed significant differences in the number of words (as well as the complexity of language) heard by babies and toddlers growing up in poverty, when compared to “professional” families. By age three, small daily differences in language exchange added up to a “word gap” of 30 million words. As early as 18 months of age, children from higher socio-economic status families show faster language processing. Because they have been exposed to more vocabulary and richer sentences, their little brains respond more quickly, which sets them up for better comprehension. Tiny differences in language processing amount to big differences in vocabulary acquisition over the course of the first years of life. What all this research shows is that kindergarten is too late to address gaps in learning and set children up for life-long success. Access to high quality preschool— where children’s exposure to rich and complex language can complement what they gain from their families—is critical. To make the biggest impact, however, our community’s most vulnerable families need support building language fundamentals for their babies and toddlers. High quality programs, such as Head Start (which provides care for infants through preschool), have been shown to have an enormous return on investment. CenterforChildhoodCreativity.org

The Museum’s Role in Narrowing Gaps in Access and Opportunity For six years our Connections Program has provided rich on-site learning experiences for children who attend subsidized preschools, exposing both children and their families to new experiences and modeling for parents ways to talk with their preschoolers about their learning. Connections creates just the kind of language-rich exposure that children need to acquire new vocabulary and learn new concepts, leveling the playing field with more affluent peers who have these kinds of

enrichment opportunities through their family experience.

donors (see page 11 for how you can help fund programs like these).

The Museum is proud to build upon the success of the Connections Program by launching new facilitated School Programs for early elementary students. Like Connections, these will have a strong family engagement component and will expose children to rich vocabulary and conceptual learning. More than half of the schools visiting the Museum this year will be Title 1 schools (i.e. public schools that receive supplemental federal funding because they serve a high proportion of low-income children), thanks to generous

Over the next year we will also be launching new programming specifically focused on supporting low-income parents of babies, toddlers and preschoolers with a focus on school readiness. We will be partnering with grassroots organizations to develop and deliver this programming so that it best meets local community needs. We recognize the critical role our Museum can and should play in ensuring that every child begins school ready to thrive!

school programs Want to ignite creative thinking in your child’s classroom? Tell your child’s teacher about our exemplary School Programs for preschool to 3rd grade students! To find out more about these programs, visit BayKidsMuseum.org/SchoolPrograms or contact Cami Gordon, school programs assistant manager, at (415) 339-3963 or cgordon@badm.org.

Announcing NE Idea Lab To W pics Scholarship s still available!

DIY Field Trips to the Museum $8 per person for up to 2.5 hours at the Museum 1 free adult for every 5 children Self-guided field trips provide discounted admission for groups of 15 children or more. DIY Field Trips are a great option for preschools, early elementary classrooms and community groups, like Girl Scout troops!

Idea Labs Starts at $200 per session 1 free adult for every 5 children Stimulate creative thinking in science and math by adding a facilitated workshop rooted in Next Generation Science and Common Core Math Standards. Idea Labs are offered on-site at the Bay Area Discovery Museum or off-site in your child’s classroom. New Idea Lab topics include Nature Studio and Outdoor Learning Lab.

STEM Intensives $30 per student 1 free adult for every 5 children Want an even deeper experience than the Idea Labs offer? STEM Intensives are three-series workshops for students, which include two classroom visits and one Museum visit. Classroom teachers will have the opportunity to partner with the Museum’s own Teacher-In-Residence for an in-depth exploration of STEM topics including Fairy Tale Engineering and Explore the Shore.

Scholarships Scholarships are available for all three of these amazing School Programs. We encourage preschools serving more than 50% of families through childcare subsidies and elementary schools serving more than 50% of students who qualify for free and reduced lunch to apply.

BayKidsMuseum.org

SPRING 2015

public programs

ring 2015

SKY

Stop on by! All of our Public Programs are included with admission (no registration necessary). Come at any time within the hour and stay for as long as your little ones want.

Look up! This season we are exploring the sky. Visitors will consider and experiment with ideas about the sun, moon, weather, birds, kites, planes and more.

Creative Labs Art Lab,

Nature Lab,

Wednesdays & Sundays, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Delve one step further into the techniques, media or concepts related to our featured Spotlight Artists. See how our artists this spring have been inspired by the sky.

Fridays, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Foster an appreciation for the environment and develop observational skills through play in nature. This spring, we are thinking about clouds, birds and planets.

March: Constellation Collage, Val Britton April: Under the Umbrella, Stephanie Imbeau May: Aviation Inventors, Leonardo DaVinci

March: Paint The Sky April: Avian Architects May: Planet Pioneers

Idea Spot

Outdoor Learning Lab

Science Lab,

Maker Lab,

Thursdays, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Hypothesize, experiment, investigate, evaluate… repeat! Using tools and inquiry-based investigation, we will engage in exploration of the sun, stars, wind and more.

Saturdays, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. The Maker movement emphasizes innovation and entrepreneurship through building and designing. This two-hour program will give you and your young child a chance to explore how things work, take things apart, plan, test and design creations!

Outdoor Learning Lab

March: Take Flight April: Wind Works May: Solar Shadows

Idea Spot

March: Squishy Circuits April: Kite Krafting May: Shuttle Mission

The schedule is subject to change. Please check BayKidsMuseum.org/calendar or a chalkboard on site for the most up-to-date program information. 6 SPRING 2015

BayKidsMuseum.org

Toddler Circle Time, Tot Spot

Daily, 9:30 – 10 a.m. Sing songs, dance, wiggle and hop around in this fun-filled program made especially for our youngest Museum visitors. Your child can practice language and movement skills while making new friends.

Research Toys, Research Lab

Tuesdays – Fridays, 2:45 – 3:30 p.m. Are you curious about the latest research on child development? Participate in an interactive activity with your young child for a chance to learn more about this intriguing field of study and how it informs our Museum.

Storytime, Various Locations

Daily, 11 – 11:30 a.m. Adventure to new worlds in our interactive storytimes. Are you a big green monster? Have you heard of the Gruffalo? Our stories are hand picked each day, so come back again and again!

Outdoor Adventures with Ranger Lucy, Lookout Cove

March 4, April 1 & May 6, 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Become a naturalist as you learn about the flora and fauna of Fort Baker with Ranger Lucy! Come every Free First Wednesday for scavenger hunts and nature walks through our local landscape.

Artist-in-Residence Choreographer Claudia Anata Hubiak, Spring 2015 Cloud Formations Dance away with our spring Artist-in-Residence, Choreographer Claudia Anata Hubiak and The Anata Project. Throughout the residency they will explore elements of the sky through movement and contemporary dance. Get involved by attending drop-in classes and open-rehearsal sessions throughout the spring. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the culminating showcase, Cloud Formations— coming this June! Check BayKidsMuseum.org/cloudformations for dates, times and more details. theanataproject.org

BayKidsMuseum.org

SPRING 2015

Toddler Circle Time Storytime Artist-in-Residence Class Art Lab

Toddler Circle Time Storytime Art Lab Art Excursion

Toddler Circle Time Storytime Art Lab

sun

Museum Closed

Fort Building Camp

Museum Closed

mon

2015

Spring Events

tue

Toddler Circle Time Storytime Research Toys Young Artist Series $

Toddler Circle Time Storytime Research Toys Young Artist Series $ Member Play Date

Sponsored by:

Free First Wednesdays

Toddler Circle Time Storytime Research Toys Nature Lab

Toddler Circle Time Storytime Research Toys Nature Lab Outdoor Learning $

Research Toys Nature Lab Outdoor Learning $

Storytime

family & after school classes Family classes build early social-emotional, cognitive and physical skills that are critical for school readiness and later success in life. They provide an opportunity for parents and children to engage together in new experiences and pursue their curiosity about the world around them. Our after school classes focus on inspiring creativity through art and science. Each series offers multiple sessions for deep engagement with a range of topics. Classes include Museum admission for one adult and one child. Pre-registration is required and class sizes are limited. Register online at BayKidsMuseum.org/classes.

Family Classes Explore Together Collection The Explore Together classes for two to four-year-olds and their caregivers are developed and taught by our Enrichment Programs team, specially designed for small groups of about 12 children. These active classes highlight our open-ended, child-directed educational philosophy and offer adults a chance to meet other caregivers while children develop important social and emotional skills that will help prepare them for preschool.

Get Ready to Get Messy: Texture Exploration

3-week series • Thursdays, March 5, 12 & 19, 10 – 11 a.m. • Fridays, March 6, 13 & 20, 10 – 11 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. • Saturdays, March 7, 14 & 21, 10 – 11 a.m. Children ages 2 – 4 with caregivers Members $60; General $85 Additional sibling 50% off Learn fun activities to try at home and be exposed to new facilitation techniques to promote creativity. These classes give children an opportunity to engage in art and science activities without anyone worrying about making a mess!

Outdoor Learning

3-week series, 10 – 11 a.m. Session 1 • Thursdays, April 2, 9 & 16 • Fridays, April 3, 10 & 17 • Saturdays, April 4, 11 & 18 Session 2 • Thursdays, April 30, May 7 & 14 • Fridays, May 1, 8 & 15 • Saturdays, May 2, 9 & 16 Children ages 2 – 4 with caregivers Members $60; General $85 Additional sibling 50% off Explore the wonders of our natural surroundings through play in three Fort Baker locations: the Museum’s Outdoor Learning Lab, the Coast Guard Beach and the Fort Baker Parade Grounds. 10 SPRING 2015

Music Together®

9-week series of early childhood music Thursdays, April 9 – June 4, 3:15 – 4 p.m. Ages 6 months – 4 years with caregiver Members $215; General $235 Additional sibling $145 Music Together® is an internationally recognized early childhood music and movement program for children. Tuition includes a beautifully illustrated songbook and two-CD set, along with a parent education guide. Music Together art & logo design © 1992-2014 Music Together LLC. Music Together is a registered trademark. Music Together Marin is licensed by Music Together LLC. For more locations: www.musictogether.com (800) 728-2692.

Preschool Prep

10-week series on Wednesdays March 4 – May 20, 9:30 – 11 a.m. (no class April 1 or 15) Children ages 18 – 36 months with caregiver Members $240; General $280 per child (with adult) Additional child 50% off This toddler and parent participation class is perfect for those looking to prepare their child to attend a preschool program in the fall. The program is a laboratory for early creative thinking skills, led by an experienced child development specialist. The classes offer materials and learning experiences designed to teach toddlers fundamental creative thinking, social-emotional and language skills, and to prepare them for the preschool experience. Parents also learn specific strategies for supporting their child’s self-confidence and love of learning. Priority enrollment is given to siblings of current Not-A-School preschool families. BayKidsMuseum.org

Give the Gift of the Museum NatureBridge & Bay Area Discovery Museum Present Golden Gate Discovery Days 4-week series on Saturdays March 7 – 28, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. • March 7: Bay Area Discovery Museum • March 14: NatureBridge • March 21: Bay Area Discovery Museum • March 28: NatureBridge Children ages 2.5 – 6 years with caregivers Members $100; General $115 Additional participants $50 per person

The Museum has teamed up with our National Park Partners colleague, NatureBridge, to offer this class that focuses on a handson, interdisciplinary exploration of our local environment. Sessions will meet twice at the Museum and twice at NatureBridge in the Marin Headlands. Engage your children’s sense of wonder and guide their natural curiosity during outdoor adventures. Please take special note of dates and locations.

$50 pays for 18 children to visit the Museum through the School Visits Program

$100 pays for a month’s worth of materials for our free drop-in program, Science Lab

Thanks to a group of generous trustees, your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar— allowing you to double your impact!

$500 gives four families year-long Family Access memberships to the Museum

$1,000* gives three children scholarships for a week of Summer Camp at the Museum

after school classes Young Artist Series

4-week series on Tuesdays March 3 – 24, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Children ages 4.5 – 7 years with caregiver on-site Members $80; General $100 Additional sibling 50% off

*Gifts of $1,000 and higher entitle you to benefits and recognition as a Discovery Circle member.

Make your tax-deducti ble gift today!

This four-week series for your young artist will incorporate an examination of thematic images and a project-based approach to discover and explore aspects of the sky. Children will discuss, create and reflect on their own work. This drop-off program is perfect for children who are ready to attend a class without an adult. Caregivers must remain on the Museum grounds during the class.

All Outdoor Program: Young Naturalists 6-week series on Wednesdays, 2 – 5 p.m. • March 4 – April 8 • April 15 – May 20 Children ages 3 – 7 years $400 per session Purchase both sessions and receive $50 off

Early, frequent and exploratory contact with the natural environment is an incredibly important asset to the development and enrichment of young children. Along with the Museum's experienced educators, children will embark upon an adventure to explore our unique location, view the historic buildings of Fort Baker and discover local animal and plant life. Together we will collaborate to create curriculum inspired by the interests of the children, ensuring that each six-week session is unique. Each child will receive a backpack that includes the tools necessary to observe and record their findings. BayKidsMuseum.org

To make your Annual Fund gift, visit BayKidsMuseum.org/annualfund or make a check payable to “Bay Area Discovery Museum.”

SPRING 2015

Creativity Forum Finds a Room Big Enough for its Ideas This year’s Creativity Forum brings together two prominent authors to discuss the intersections of personal motivation and innovation in our economy and education system. Daniel Pink and Tony Wagner are thought leaders in these areas, respectively. They will discuss why creativity matters in the 21st century and what corporations, educators and parents can do to ensure that America remains an innovation leader. Before becoming a best-selling author, Pink worked as an aide to Secretary of Labor Robert Reich and as chief speech writer for Vice President Al Gore. In his book, “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us,” Pink explores scientific research around human motivation. He is also known for the book “A Whole New Mind: Why Right Brainers Will Rule the Future,” in which he argues that creativity will be more important than ever in the future. Tony Wagner is Expert in Residence at the Harvard Innovation Lab. He is a former

grade school teacher and college professor, and is a leading figure in education reform and innovation. In his book “Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World,” he takes parents into forward-thinking schools; some of his best examples of American innovation come from the Bay Area.

Presenting Sponsor:

Daniel Pink, Speaker

Moderating the conversation will be Museum Board Member Victoria Barret, who profiled business and technology leaders for many years at Forbes magazine and now consults for early stage start ups. In response to audience demand, this year’s Creativity Forum is moving to a larger venue, The Fairmont San Francisco. Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in this conversation. Visit BayKidsMuseum.org/Forum to purchase tickets and for more information about Forum.

Tony Wagner, Speaker

Corporate Sponsors:

Anonymous Dodge & Cox DoorDash EY Goldman Sachs McKinsey & Company ScholarShare 529 College Savings Plan Sensato Investors TPG

Victoria Barret, Moderator

The Museum’s Discovery Camps will ignite your child’s creativity while enriching your child’s summer with discovery, exploration and fun! We offer a variety of camp themes taught by our professional staff. View our full brochure and register online at BayKidsMuseum.org/camps.

SPRING BREAK CAMP Fort Building

March 30 – April 3 Children ages 4 – 8 Full day only, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Supporting Members $425 General $450 $20 extra materials fee Our experienced educators take children on a building adventure using real tools and building materials to support their imaginations. Children will create forts, stories and props as they transform their classroom into a secret world. 12 SPRING 2015

Some of our Summer Camp themes

New Summer Camp in San Francisco

Little Kids, Big Discoveries! Preschool

June 1 – August 21

Bugs, Insects and Spiders Pre-kindergarten Super Heroes and Heroines Mixed Ages & Pre-kindergarten Outdoor Explorers Mixed Ages Inventing with Art School-aged

Palace of Innovation Registration is now open for our new summer camp located at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. This new environment — paired with the Museum’s open-ended, child-directed educational philosophy — will nurture creativity and curiosity. Teachers will meet needs of the mixed age classroom using an emergent and project-based approach to curriculum. Children are welcome to attend multiple weeks, since each week’s adventures will be unique and exciting as we work together as a cohesive group to explore the countless possibilities offered at this exciting location. BayKidsMuseum.org

Our Favorite Museum INSTAGRAM MOMENTS

creative enrichment preschool

Not-A-School is designed to nurture young children’s creative thinking as they explore the arts, sciences and the environment through play and guided inquiry at the Bay Area Discovery Museum.

Enrollment Options Preschool Class 2, 3 or 5-day options, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Ages 2.9 – 5 years (must be potty-trained)

NEW for 2015 – 2016! Pre-kindergarten Class Monday – Thursday, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Ages 3.9 – 5 years

NEW for 2015 – 2016! Toddler Parent Participation Class Mondays, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Ages 18 – 36 months with caregiver Our school is a laboratory for creative thinking where children have the freedom to pursue their passions, interests and ideas. We believe that young children are competent and deserve to be treated as collaborators in the construction of their own knowledge; that families are our partners in cultivating a community of trust and growth; and in the importance of nurturing the joy of lifelong learning. We strive to be responsive to all members of our community as we work together to create a program which values respect and equality.

For more information: Visit BayKidsMuseum.org/notaschool or contact Elisa Pagliarulo at (415) 339-3982 or epagliarulo@badm.org. BayKidsMuseum.org

Facility number 214005255

museum buzz

Our mission: to ignite and advance creative thinking for all children.

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In 2014, 17,888 visitors came to the Museum on Free First Wednesdays. These special days are a central part of the Museum’s commitment to the community. We are grateful to ScholarShare 529 College Savings Plan for making Free First Wednesdays possible through their sponsorship. We hope to see you on a free day in 2015. Free First Wednesdays sponsored by

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Mother’s Day Join us for Earth Day as we celebrate nature! Create art with natural materials, sing and dance with a performance by Snail People at 11 a.m. and enjoy the natural beauty of our environment. All programs are included with admission. Check out our website for a full festival schedule: BayKidsMuseum.org/earthday.