The Children's Museum, Seattle
| Last updated on September 26, 2007 |
THE MISSION OF THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM, SEATTLE
The Children's Museum, Seattle
brings to life the joy of discovery for children and their families through fun, creative, hands-on explorations of the world around them.
THE VISION OF THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM, SEATTLE
The Children's Museum, Seattle connects children from birth to age 10 and their families to the creativity within themselves and others, stimulates their appreciation for the richness of other cultures, and prepares them to live as citizens in a world of limitless possibilities. We do this by creating an environment where nothing is off-limits for children and everything is designed to speak their language. Through our programming, we ignite children's curiosity and encourage them to take the lead, helping them become active, life-long learners.
TCM is a trusted, engaging, and stimulating resource for our community. At the core of our vision is our belief that fun and learning are essential to developing strong individuals, healthy families and responsible citizens. Here, children discover the world around them and gain the confidence to be daring, creative thinkers. Parents realize something that their children know instinctively; that learning really can be fun. And everyone finds a deeper understanding of their own humanity, as well as of their roles and responsibilities in a world of many cultures. Together, children and the adults in their lives become stronger families. Through them, we become a stronger community. And, ultimately, we create a better world by developing individuals who:
- As global citizens, can be better absorb, appreciate, and act upon the needs of a changing world;
- As active community members, can see the value in bringing people together to make connections and work toward common good;
- As employees, can use critical thinking, problem-solving, and swift adaptability to keep pace with a rapidly changing world;
- And, as family members and friends, can seek the connection between fun and learning to enhance their enjoyment of life and better understand their place in the world.
Description:
A private, non-profit organization, The Children's Museum is the region's preeminent learning institution for children and their families, focusing on interactive exhibits and programs related to the arts and humanities. Located on the first floor of Center House at Seattle Center, the museum serves more than 180,000 visitors annually including over 33,000 students and at-risk youth through its outreach and sponsored admission programs.
History:
HISTORY OF THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
Since 1981, The Children's Museum, Seattle (TCM) has been a treasured institution where two generations of Seattle families have come to discover, create, and learn through hands-on play. Beginning as a single interactive exhibit at the Wing Luke Museum, TCM has grown into a 22,000 square foot exhibits environment that serves nearly 200,000 visitors each year, including 400 school groups that recognize the Museum as an educational resource. TCM has touched the lives of over 2 million children and adults since 1981, and we have provided over 200,000 free admissions to low-income families during their children's most critical stages of development.
Throughout our history, TCM has been a fun, safe and engaging place where children are encouraged to prod, poke and play in a child-sized environment, free to explore the world around them at their own pace and in their own way, with hands on and minds open. We have been a leader in the children's museum industry, winning many national and local awards. When TCM reopened after our last major expansion in 1995, Parenting Magazine named the Museum one of the top ten children's museums in the country. In 2002, the National Association of Children's Museums awarded TCM the Promising Practice Award for our outreach program bringing arts-based curriculum to low-income children.
Children in our Museum can explore the world in ways that traditional classrooms cannot support - by experimenting in three dimensions, using rhythm and melody, acting out personal stories, and collaborating with children of many ages. We help children connect with their own unique style of learning. Basic learning and socialization skills are the foundation that not only forms the building blocks for school but for life as well. Early and positive social-emotional development ultimately leads to good citizenship and life achievements. Every time we help a child actively pursue the answer to a question that matters to him/her, we are nurturing his/her ability to learn and think creatively.
Learning is fun. Kids know it. Adults sometimes forget it. TCM is the best place to figure it out. Emotional, social and cognitive learning in young children is the result of interaction between the child's thoughts and experiences with materials, ideas, and people. Universal, predictable sequences of growth and change occur in children during the first 9 years of life. Using the latest theories about early childhood development, TCM engages children in a playful, hands-on exploration that helps them build connections between what they already know and what they can discover themselves. At TCM, we help families make memories that will last a lifetime.
Contact person: David Cretin, Director Of Human Resources, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (206) 448-0910
Address:
Web Site: http://www.thechildrensmuseum.org
Directions:
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The Children's Museum is located on the lower level of Center House at Seattle Center. Take the Mercer Street exit for Interstate 5 or the Broad Street exit from Aurora Ave. |
Miscellaneous Information
| Liability |
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Yes
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| Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers? |
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No
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| Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18? |
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Yes
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