NEWS for IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Kankakee Libraries Introduce Children’s Exhibits”

DUPAGE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

Release date: May 4, 2007

DCM Contact: Lynne Jele, Marketing & Membership

Phone: (630) 637-8000 ext. 2600

NEW! Kankakee Libraries “Circulate” Exhibits to Enhance Learning

When you think about the library, do you usually think of a very quiet place filled with stacks and stacks of books? Many of us do, and a consortium of libraries in the Kankakee area has been working with DuPage Children’s Museum (DCM) to change that perception. The libraries want to increase family interaction and provide more active engagement to everyone, as a starting point for their own programming, so they have selected three exhibits components, developed by DuPage Children’s Museum (and tested on its floor), to add to their own children’s library areas.

The exhibit components include StoryTalk Blocks™, Build A House™, and Memory Map – all specially adapted to the location and needs of Kankakee. Story Talk Blocks™ involve children with the characters of Hey Diddle Diddle, The Three Little Pigs or Jack in the Beanstock. “Children develop their sense of story narration, sequence and characters through parent-child interaction with this dialogic reading tool and through discussions later, at home,” according to the Museum exhibit team, Peter Crabbe and Cynthia Mark-Hummel, “It fosters emergent literacy, and is a wonderful enhancement for readers.”

“The children really love the interactive displays; parents also appreciate the displays because they keep little hands busy. These displays encourage open-ended and child-initiated learning experiences as well as encourage positive associations with the library. Libraries are no longer mausoleums for dusty old books; we are evolving into active learning centers for our communities,” says Jodie DePatis, Director of the Limestone Township Library.

Build-A-House™ encourages emergent literacy through play, encourages interaction with other children and parents, promotes language skills and appeals to teens, toddlers and parents. Young and old are tempted to create simple or complex spaces that can include indoor and outdoor areas, using large and small pieces that are either transparent or primary colors. “It’s an engaging exhibit that can be enjoyed for minutes to hours,” and “it’s delightful to see the transition from playing to learning as participants create imagery of houses, neighborhoods or storybook settings.”

The Memory Map is a 6’x6’ floor map puzzle that is a unique piece designed to help young children learn about maps, puzzles and about specific Kankakee landmarks. “It supports problem-solving skills, an understanding of sequence and storytelling…and it’s fun!” according to Mark-Hummel.

The Kankakee libraries plan to rotate the displays between the libraries every 2-3 months so the children always have something new and exciting to look forward to. “Sometimes they are disappointed when they learn their favorite display will be moving to another library, but are delighted again when they see the next display. This project is a positive experience for our library,” according to DePatis.

To find out the best time to visit your library to enjoy these interactive exhibits, please call 815-937-9690 or visit www.kankakee.lib.il.us.

DUPAGE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM:

DuPage Children’s Museum, a top Chicagoland cultural attraction, is a not-for-profit organization celebrating its 20^th Anniversary in 2007—an imagination celebration of the importance of play, as envisioned by our founders.

On any given day, about 1000 visitors come through the Big Red Door of DuPage Children’s Museum and engage in three floors of open-ended activities. It is a playful, fun environment where children and the important adults in their lives learn and play together in thoughtfully planned “neighborhoods” designed to promote skill development in math, science and the arts.

Thank you for all you do! The Museum depends on donations and sponsorships for over 40% of its budget. Your support helps make a difference in the lives of thousands of children!

Location: 301 N. Washington Street

Naperville, IL 60540

Phone: 630-637-8000

Hours* Monday: 9 am - 1 pm

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm

Thursday: 9 am - 8 pm

Sunday: 12 - 5 pm

*Call for special seasonal hours.

General Admission: $7.50 per person, ages one through 59.

$6.50 per person, ages 60 and over.

Admission is never charged to shop the Explorer Store.

Free Parking. Wheelchair Accessible. Quick walk from Naperville Metra Station.

Annual Memberships: Several types of memberships and gift memberships are available. Please visit http://www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org or call 630-637-8000 for more information.

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