6 minute read
INSIDE LOOK: AlegreMENTE | Happy Brain at Glazer Children’s Museum
by Valentina Cordana, Glazer Children’s Museum
Moving to the United States at the age of 6 was quite the adventure. Other than my ABC's or “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” my proficiency in the English language was slim to none. A talkative social butterfly, it was incredibly frustrating to feel like I had no voice and could no longer communicate with anyone other than my parents.
More than two decades later, I am so glad that children can experience a whimsical forest full of critters and families of all shapes, sizes and colors that make the transition to another culture fun and inclusive. Of course, I am not literally referring to an actual forest, but to traveling exhibit “AlegreMENTE | Happy Brain: Celebrating Early Connections.”
This educational and playful exhibit dedicated to children 0-6 will be on display at the Glazer Children’s Museum through Jan. 1, 2023. AlegreMENTE is tailored to educate families about early brain development and building healthy connections early by using language, practicing cognitive and motor skills, and demonstrating how simple, every day interactions can build healthy socio-emotional relationships in young children.
Inspiring caregivers to “get in there!” AlegreMENTE | Happy Brain encourages you and your children to engage in purposeful play together. “The brain is doing a huge chunk of growth during those first 5 years and it's important to expose children to new things, new words, new experiences all the time,” says Pam Hillstead, vice president of Play & Learning for Glazer Children’s Museum. “All the things most of us normally do around a baby, like talk to them and play games and smile at them, are the important things. In today's world though, sometimes people get so busy that they prop their kid in front of a screen and that doesn't work. Think really basic. It's one of the reasons breastfeeding is better, because you actually are holding and interacting with your child.”
The ‘A Space to Share’ area in the exhibit doesn’t just encourage sharing, creativity and the use of fine motor skills to make illustrations, but it motivates you and your children to talk about feelings and even have difficult conversations while having fun. The ‘Show Me Happy’ wheel of emotions teaches children how they show their emotions, while parents can learn how to best identify these feelings and talk to your children.
AlegreMENTE | Happy Brain is a fully bilingual exhibit promoting diversity and inclusivity for families of different backgrounds. Conveniently opening during Hispanic Heritage month, this exhibit provides representation for Spanish-speaking children, featuring illustrations and Spanish to English translations. Through playing in this bright and fun exhibit, families are encouraged to engage with one another and create connections not just among “friends,” but linguistically.
“Speaking multiple languages doesn’t confuse a child at all; rather, it allows them multiple ways to interact and express themselves,” explains Sara Arias-Steele, Ph.D., Director of Learn & Play Tampa Bay. “This becomes much more difficult the older they grow when brain circuitry slows down and a child develops their OWN preference for a language and only decides to speak in one language.”
Arias-Steele explains that through repetition and reinforcing positive caregiver-child interactions when introducing new languages, you can learn your children’s linguistic “cues” and respond appropriately to their needs. This causes neural connections to grow and strengthens neural pathways, particularly in the early stages of life. Dr. AriasSteele explains: “Research has supported that the first six years of a child’s life is when the most critical growth of the brain occurs. During that time, every interaction with people, every experience and sound and smell around them, and everything that goes in their mouth is being investigated, processed and analyzed in their brain. The critical time between birth and 3 years is when the majority of neural connections are formed in the brain and the majority of learning is occurring.”
I am so glad that caregivers and children today have access to such a fun and educational exhibit, where they can learn through play and feel included. We invite you to share your adventures with us on our social media and tell us how you practice purposeful AlegreMENTE-inspired play at home.
Your Guide to: Tampa BayArea Schools
The Tampa Bay area is lucky to have such a wealth of incredible private, charter and magnet education options that make it easy to find the perfect school for your child.
ACADEMY AT THE LAKES 2331 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes 34639 813-948-7600; academyatthelakes.org/admission
The school’s ethic of opportunity and “You Matter Here” philosophy empower our students to become well-rounded individuals who have the confidence and the knowledge to change the world. With talented, dedicated, and caring teachers leading the way, Academy enjoys a 100% 4-year college placement rate.
ACADEMY OF THE HOLY NAMES 3319 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa 33629 813-839-5371; holynamestpa.org
The Academy of the Holy Names is a Catholic, coeducational elementary school and college preparatory high school for young women, sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. Since 1881, the Academy has empowered students to be authentic individuals who engage in independent thought, are inspired by creativity, and lead culturally aware, spiritually rich lives.
ALEGRIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL 5995 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. S., St. Petersburg 33705 727-310-8243; alegriamontessori.com
Alegria Montessori School is an authentic Montessori program that creates a rich learning environment and supports individual development. We are also a bilingual program, with students receiving Spanish instruction throughout the week from native Spanish speakers. We offer a true Montessori education through middle school. Come discover the joy of Montessori.
BAYSHORE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 3909 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa 33611 813-839-4297; bayshorechristianschool.org
Bayshore Christian School is a college preparatory, accredited, non-denominational Christian school serving students 2 years old through 12th grade. Founded in 1971, Bayshore Christian School is located on 10 acres in residential South Tampa. BCS provides athletics and fine arts opportunities in addition to a rigorous and challenging academic curriculum.
BELL CREEK ACADEMY 13221 Boyette Road, Riverview 33569 813-793-6075; bellcreekacademy.com
A tuition-free public charter school proudly serving grades 6-12, Bell Creek provides a well-rounded college preparatory education. The challenging and rigorous curriculum includes a special concentration on math and science, a technology-rich atmosphere and a focus on character development. We are an “A” rated Florida School of Excellence offering the Cambridge Program for Advanced Studies and an award-winning athletic program and are Cognia accredited.
BERKELEY PREPARATORY SCHOOL 4811 Kelly Road, Tampa 33615 813-885-1673; berkeleyprep.org
Ranked as one of the BEST private schools in Florida (NICHE), Berkeley Preparatory School presents a safe, nurturing environment featuring inspiring teaching, engaged parents and alumni, and outstanding resources, including incomparable facilities on a beautiful campus. We develop and expect strong character, promote innovation and growth, and desire excellence in all that we do. Simply put, the educational journey at Berkeley is truly extraordinary. Enrollment: 475 Class-Size: 7:1 Grades: PreK3-grade 12 Tuition: $14,000 - $26,500
Enrollment: 975 Class-Size: Varies Grades: PreK-grade 8 (Coed); grades 9-12 (All Girls) Tuition: $13,650 – $21,790
Enrollment: 140 Class-Size: Small class sizes in elementary and middle school Grades: age 1 - grade 8 Tuition: Varies depending on age
Enrollment: 340 Class-Size: 11:1 Grades: age 2 - grade 12 Tuition: $9,300-$11,340
Grades: 6-12 Tuition: FREE
Enrollment: 1,401 Fall 2022 Class-Size: 20 Grades: PreK-grade 12 Tuition: $19,400-$29,390
