There's also some stuff going on at the CMOM I'd like to try out...

[conuly]

They've opened a new exhibit, so maybe I'll prefer it nowadays :)

Saturday 11/4



Super Hero Comics 11am, 12, 2, 3 & 4pm
Sign-up programs for ages 5 & older
Learn about the art of comic books and the tools of the trade. Develop your own superhero character and create a comic book adventure.


The only problem with this is that it can conflict with Su and Evangeline going to the Blooming Babies Weekend at the BCM, but not if I take the older two while the younger two do something else, or if we do the BCM on Sunday instead. And I think Deniz would also really enjoy this - call the CMOM and find out about it, would you, Jenn? Their site is cmom.org

They seem to have a nice schedule of programs, one right after the other, all week long including on weekends. So that's always something to do if we need a change of pace. I'll remember this now.

(Mind, the train ride is *insane*, so the odds of me heading up there regularly are slim indeed :)

Comments

[failstoexist.livejournal.com]

some general drop in program info:
you can usually get a spot if you're there reasonably early...signups for afternoon programs begin at 12:30. But Ana and Deniz aren't 5, are they? having worked there, some of the programs are just barely appropriate for 5 year olds, and this reminds me of the invention workshop, which was hard for the 5s to get, for the most part.

I know people try to bring their not-quite-5 year olds in to these programs...and I understand from the perspective of the parent/caregiver that it SOUNDS like fun. However, having taught some rather young kids in these classes...it's a bit frustrating at times, for the instructor AND the kids. especially if it's a busy day and 4 year olds are taking spots away from those who really don't have as many options in the museum...8 year old big brothers/sisters, for example.

I really enjoy the new exhibit. it's got a lot of sections. I went to visit for a short while the week after it opened...there used to be a floorplan on the site, don't know if it's still there or not. if you have any questions about it I can try to answer. Also Bob the Builder's on the first floor, and there seem to be a bunch of things to do in that (also new) exhibit.

I don't even freaking work there anymore and I STILL feel the need to point this crap out. but playworks looks like a lot of fun. in case you didn't know much about it already.

[conuly]

Deniz is five, actually - and I wouldn't dream of taking Ana :) I'd drag another adult with me, or make it a Deniz-only day. I might try sneaking in a bright almost-five-year-old into a program like this, but Ana, bright as she is, is nowhere near the level to get anything out of this, I can just see that.

(That was actually my one complaint with the Early Learner Workshop today. The program is for kids 2.5 through 5, but a lot of people slipped in kids clearly not in that age range. Which wasn't fair to those kids, really.)

And I know the feeling. I accost random strangers and try to direct them to my favorite SICM programs :)

[failstoexist.livejournal.com]

ah, I thought Deniz was 4. Well, if she's 5, she very well might be alright doing it!

it's not a question of it being too old for *all* 5 year olds, it just depends on the kid. if it's an idea she's into, she'll probably be OK. I imagine some of the kids we had problems with were not-quite-5, or just not all too excited about the workshop. In fact, thinking about it later, the one kid I'm *really* thinking of came back to another workshop later and was a big pain in the butt there too! Sometimes parents do drop kids into workshops they don't care about, just to have time to take the younger one to do their own thing, etc.

Stop by visitors services when you arrive, ask them to tell you(and Deniz) about the workshop. That way she can hear firsthand and possibly see an example, and if she's not excited about it, then you don't have to do it. I always tried to get the kids excited about the workshops, but if I was doing my best and they didn't care, it was usually my recommendation(if asked) that they sign up later or just play in the exhibits. It always surprised me how many kids said "No, I just want to play today" and their parents signed them up anyway...and then they didn't enjoy the workshop because they didn't want to be there in the first place.

I was more responding to the idea of taking Ana, which I misunderstood. You wouldn't believe the small children that people try to pass off as 5 year olds. I know they're *convinced* that their 3 year old is a genius and all...but then they get to the workshop and the parent wants to drop them off and take the baby to dora, and all hell breaks loose because their 3 year old wants mommy and can't do the workshop...ugh. But I didn't think you seemed the type to try to sneak Ana in, really. :)

[conuly]

It always surprised me how many kids said "No, I just want to play today" and their parents signed them up anyway

Ugh, I see that too. Or they promise "We can leave in just a few minutes if you really don't like it", but then they never leave, even as the kid gets more and more antsy and whiny!

Or, and this is my pet peeve, parents who rush their kids through every exhibit in the museum, because "We don't have much time and I want you to see as much as possible", so every time the kid gets settled into playing in one area, they make the kid move on. Guys! It's about quality, not quantity! If they want to spend the whole day painting, let them! Perserverence is a quality you're trying to teach kids, for crying out loud!

This would have to be a special day out with just Deniz, so I'm debating doing it or not. Or else I'd have to have two adults.

[failstoexist.livejournal.com]

Is Deniz the type to go to a "special, exciting, fun class that's just for older kids" by herself for an hour? or would she insist that you stay? How about if you were right next door? If she's fairly independent, and willing to sit in the class alone, you could take Ana or whoever else you're with downstairs to do drop in art, or to another area. Most kids are OK with their parent/sitter leaving, especially if they know where they'll be. Also, in general the younger kids are asked to leave during the lesson, but can come back for the art part...so Ana could probably use the crayons or whatever while Deniz is doing her thing. the educator could tell you when it'd be OK to come back.

I hate when parents try to make their kids leave, and the kid is having a ball! "come on,let's go see clifford!" "but mommy, I LIKE dora!" "no honey, mommy's bored. let's go"...um yeah. Lady, this day is not about YOUR boredom level. seriously. It's one thing to say "let's take a look around, and if you don't like it better we'll come back"...sometimes kids don't know what else is there, and you know there's something they'd like even better. But if they really do truly like that room better..let them stay! Unless it's closing for the day, there's really no problem.

[conuly]

I didn't realize it was a kid-by-themselves thing... but of course, it's for older kids, that makes sense!

The only real problem is that Ana or Deniz might decide they don't want to be separated, but then we have the option. I can leave it up to Deniz to decide.

And if Mommy is so bored, Mommy should have brought a book. Any kid old enough to have this conversation is old enough you shouldn't have to sit right next to them the whole time. Anyway, Clifford is going to be just as boring as Dora when you come right down to it, so why bother?

The only exception to "don't drag kids away" is when you have more than one kid. But then you have to be reasonably fair and let the kids play for a good length of time before letting the next kid take their turn and bring you elsewhere, y'know?

[failstoexist.livejournal.com]

well, some kids insist on having parents there..and if the parents are only with one kid, they generally do stay. but you do have the option of dropping them off, since they are older-we just ask that you stay in the museum, rather than going out to the shop on the corner or something! (See? I say we. I don't, for the moment, work there!)...But I know you're not the type to do so, so why do I even mention it? no idea. But if we didn't let people drop off the older kids, we'd end up with a bunch of 1-3 year olds running around during our lessons...which is not fun when the older kids are trying to concentrate.

Ana and Deniz may decide they don't want to be separated, but if they know it's only for a short time, and if Ana feels like she has her own special thing to do at the same time(works well if there's an exhibit she really loved, or a drop in program going on that she's interested in) it might be easier. after all, 30 minutes apart seems long to them, but they'll be back together before they know it.

some of the kids are REALLY little. their conversation goes more like "DOWA!! MOMMY!" "honey. mommy's bored, we're going to go see clifford. you'll like clifford". "NO CWIFFORD! want play with dowa!"...and then they cry and scream "dowaaaaaaa!" like they're being tortured. So not worth the screaming, really. And yes, I agree about the multiple kids thing. People try to leave their 7 year old alone in an exhibit so their 3 year old can move on...um, no, not really a good option. In fact the ONLY place you're allowed to leave kids is the workshops, but that's just because the door is closed and the educator's at the front/at the tables, so they're not wandering off or being taken or whatnot. Make your kids take turns and share. they'll be better people for it, really.

[conuly]

However, if you really think it's not likely to really be at a five-year-old level either (a rather smart one, but still, y'know, five), I'll trust your judgment on that - you'd know more than I would.

[failstoexist.livejournal.com]

some general drop in program info:
you can usually get a spot if you're there reasonably early...signups for afternoon programs begin at 12:30. But Ana and Deniz aren't 5, are they? having worked there, some of the programs are just barely appropriate for 5 year olds, and this reminds me of the invention workshop, which was hard for the 5s to get, for the most part.

I know people try to bring their not-quite-5 year olds in to these programs...and I understand from the perspective of the parent/caregiver that it SOUNDS like fun. However, having taught some rather young kids in these classes...it's a bit frustrating at times, for the instructor AND the kids. especially if it's a busy day and 4 year olds are taking spots away from those who really don't have as many options in the museum...8 year old big brothers/sisters, for example.

I really enjoy the new exhibit. it's got a lot of sections. I went to visit for a short while the week after it opened...there used to be a floorplan on the site, don't know if it's still there or not. if you have any questions about it I can try to answer. Also Bob the Builder's on the first floor, and there seem to be a bunch of things to do in that (also new) exhibit.

I don't even freaking work there anymore and I STILL feel the need to point this crap out. but playworks looks like a lot of fun. in case you didn't know much about it already.

[conuly]

Deniz is five, actually - and I wouldn't dream of taking Ana :) I'd drag another adult with me, or make it a Deniz-only day. I might try sneaking in a bright almost-five-year-old into a program like this, but Ana, bright as she is, is nowhere near the level to get anything out of this, I can just see that.

(That was actually my one complaint with the Early Learner Workshop today. The program is for kids 2.5 through 5, but a lot of people slipped in kids clearly not in that age range. Which wasn't fair to those kids, really.)

And I know the feeling. I accost random strangers and try to direct them to my favorite SICM programs :)

[failstoexist.livejournal.com]

ah, I thought Deniz was 4. Well, if she's 5, she very well might be alright doing it!

it's not a question of it being too old for *all* 5 year olds, it just depends on the kid. if it's an idea she's into, she'll probably be OK. I imagine some of the kids we had problems with were not-quite-5, or just not all too excited about the workshop. In fact, thinking about it later, the one kid I'm *really* thinking of came back to another workshop later and was a big pain in the butt there too! Sometimes parents do drop kids into workshops they don't care about, just to have time to take the younger one to do their own thing, etc.

Stop by visitors services when you arrive, ask them to tell you(and Deniz) about the workshop. That way she can hear firsthand and possibly see an example, and if she's not excited about it, then you don't have to do it. I always tried to get the kids excited about the workshops, but if I was doing my best and they didn't care, it was usually my recommendation(if asked) that they sign up later or just play in the exhibits. It always surprised me how many kids said "No, I just want to play today" and their parents signed them up anyway...and then they didn't enjoy the workshop because they didn't want to be there in the first place.

I was more responding to the idea of taking Ana, which I misunderstood. You wouldn't believe the small children that people try to pass off as 5 year olds. I know they're *convinced* that their 3 year old is a genius and all...but then they get to the workshop and the parent wants to drop them off and take the baby to dora, and all hell breaks loose because their 3 year old wants mommy and can't do the workshop...ugh. But I didn't think you seemed the type to try to sneak Ana in, really. :)

[conuly]

It always surprised me how many kids said "No, I just want to play today" and their parents signed them up anyway

Ugh, I see that too. Or they promise "We can leave in just a few minutes if you really don't like it", but then they never leave, even as the kid gets more and more antsy and whiny!

Or, and this is my pet peeve, parents who rush their kids through every exhibit in the museum, because "We don't have much time and I want you to see as much as possible", so every time the kid gets settled into playing in one area, they make the kid move on. Guys! It's about quality, not quantity! If they want to spend the whole day painting, let them! Perserverence is a quality you're trying to teach kids, for crying out loud!

This would have to be a special day out with just Deniz, so I'm debating doing it or not. Or else I'd have to have two adults.

[failstoexist.livejournal.com]

Is Deniz the type to go to a "special, exciting, fun class that's just for older kids" by herself for an hour? or would she insist that you stay? How about if you were right next door? If she's fairly independent, and willing to sit in the class alone, you could take Ana or whoever else you're with downstairs to do drop in art, or to another area. Most kids are OK with their parent/sitter leaving, especially if they know where they'll be. Also, in general the younger kids are asked to leave during the lesson, but can come back for the art part...so Ana could probably use the crayons or whatever while Deniz is doing her thing. the educator could tell you when it'd be OK to come back.

I hate when parents try to make their kids leave, and the kid is having a ball! "come on,let's go see clifford!" "but mommy, I LIKE dora!" "no honey, mommy's bored. let's go"...um yeah. Lady, this day is not about YOUR boredom level. seriously. It's one thing to say "let's take a look around, and if you don't like it better we'll come back"...sometimes kids don't know what else is there, and you know there's something they'd like even better. But if they really do truly like that room better..let them stay! Unless it's closing for the day, there's really no problem.

[conuly]

I didn't realize it was a kid-by-themselves thing... but of course, it's for older kids, that makes sense!

The only real problem is that Ana or Deniz might decide they don't want to be separated, but then we have the option. I can leave it up to Deniz to decide.

And if Mommy is so bored, Mommy should have brought a book. Any kid old enough to have this conversation is old enough you shouldn't have to sit right next to them the whole time. Anyway, Clifford is going to be just as boring as Dora when you come right down to it, so why bother?

The only exception to "don't drag kids away" is when you have more than one kid. But then you have to be reasonably fair and let the kids play for a good length of time before letting the next kid take their turn and bring you elsewhere, y'know?

[failstoexist.livejournal.com]

well, some kids insist on having parents there..and if the parents are only with one kid, they generally do stay. but you do have the option of dropping them off, since they are older-we just ask that you stay in the museum, rather than going out to the shop on the corner or something! (See? I say we. I don't, for the moment, work there!)...But I know you're not the type to do so, so why do I even mention it? no idea. But if we didn't let people drop off the older kids, we'd end up with a bunch of 1-3 year olds running around during our lessons...which is not fun when the older kids are trying to concentrate.

Ana and Deniz may decide they don't want to be separated, but if they know it's only for a short time, and if Ana feels like she has her own special thing to do at the same time(works well if there's an exhibit she really loved, or a drop in program going on that she's interested in) it might be easier. after all, 30 minutes apart seems long to them, but they'll be back together before they know it.

some of the kids are REALLY little. their conversation goes more like "DOWA!! MOMMY!" "honey. mommy's bored, we're going to go see clifford. you'll like clifford". "NO CWIFFORD! want play with dowa!"...and then they cry and scream "dowaaaaaaa!" like they're being tortured. So not worth the screaming, really. And yes, I agree about the multiple kids thing. People try to leave their 7 year old alone in an exhibit so their 3 year old can move on...um, no, not really a good option. In fact the ONLY place you're allowed to leave kids is the workshops, but that's just because the door is closed and the educator's at the front/at the tables, so they're not wandering off or being taken or whatnot. Make your kids take turns and share. they'll be better people for it, really.

[conuly]

However, if you really think it's not likely to really be at a five-year-old level either (a rather smart one, but still, y'know, five), I'll trust your judgment on that - you'd know more than I would.