Hello Everyone,

If you missed Governor Pritzker's COVID-19 update today, the state is going to Tier 3 Mitigations on Friday. What does that mean for the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn? It means that we will have to temporarily close our doors again.

Under the Tier 3 Mitigations indoor recreation centers, like museums, must close. We also cannot host gatherings which means no museum rentals for birthday parties. Please take some time to review the state's Tier 3 Mitigations.

As the Children's Museum's Executive Director, I've been so impressed by our staff and volunteers who have worked diligently to keep our exhibits and facility clean and safe. I've been equally impressed by our visitors and members who have worn their masks without fail and helped put used items in the bins when your child was done playing with them. All of you are the reason why we were able to open on October 17th and why we will reopen again as soon as the Tier 3 Mitigations are lifted.

Members, you got a few extra weeks of play in October before we turned the membership clock back on and now as we shut it off again for this second closure, you will continue to earn even more time on your membership. Through your membership, you have shown your philanthropic support for the work we do in providing educational opportunities for children and their families  In today's world the value of unstructured play is often crowded out and even more so during this pandemic. It is through play that children learn vital lifelong skills and we appreciate your support of this cause.

While we don't know just how long the Tier 3 Mitigations will last, what we do know is that we appreciate you. We will maintain a skeletal staff while we are closed to tackle some of the ongoing work we can do during this time. Our museum store will be open if you need Christmas or Birthday presents for a child in your family. Hours will be posted each week on our Facebook page.

Yours in Play,

Adam Woodworth
Executive Director

Tomorrow we reopen.

After seven months of being closed due to COVID-19, we will reopen our doors to a limited number of guests for a two-hour period, which will continue on weekends throughout the month. Go to the front page of the website to buy your tickets or for members, reserve your spots.

There is a lot of excitement from many of you and I know there is apprehension. I would be lying if I told you that I wasn't both excited and nervous. Over these past few months, we've made some changes and we've been trying to raise philanthropic donations to help us with those changes. It's been a rollercoaster of an emotional journey for us.

As the state still has not provided guidance as to where children's museums fit in the "Restore Illinois" plan, our Board of Directors voted to follow the plans for "Indoor Recreation." Other for-profit business like arcades and bowling alleys are adhering to these guidelines and while we are neither an arcade nor a bowling alley, the language is such that it says the list is "non-exhaustive" and it feels like this is the place we fit.

Our plan is to be open on weekends throughout October, assess how many visitors are coming to the museum and if warranted, we will expand those hours in November to include other days of the week. We want nothing more than to get back to a somewhat normal routine here serving you, our wonderful families.

For our members, those of you who purchased your membership with us, the membership clock is not being turned back on so you are still accruing time. We will let you know when that clock is turned back on.

I'm so very excited to start serving families again.  Here is a little video about the importance of play in a child's life.

I'm looking forward to seeing you all back in the museum over the coming days, weeks and months.

Adam Woodworth
​Executive Director

It was 107 days ago that the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn, and children's museums across the country, closed our doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As states start opening up, so are some children's museums in those states. Some of those states are rolling back their opening plan based on the lack of availability of ICU beds. 

The top question I am getting right now is "When will you be open again?"  Usually, this is followed by, "We miss the museum."  

We have a draft of our reopening plans that we are running by various entities to ensure that we meet the standards necessary to do our very best to safely reopen. When approved, this plan will be available on our website. There will be some changes to what you are used to. Some exhibits will be different and we'll have to limit the number of people in the museum. We will likely go to a "timed entry" with online ticket purchase.  Members would reserve their times through this same system. We are working on a plan right now that would allow you to rent out the entire museum for your birthday party. Lots of things are happening to the physical structures of things as well.

The support we received for our "emergency fund" was incredible. It allowed us to stabilize and start turning our attention to reopening. If you would like to support our reopening efforts, CLICK HERE to make a donation or set up your own fundraising page to show your support.

We are optimistic that we will be able to announce a reopening date within the next few weeks, maybe even before the end of July. 

*** For our members, we will be extending your memberships for the length of time we are closed.  

Adam Woodworth
​Executive Director

When I woke up this morning and looked outside the first thought that came to mind was, "The Museum would have been busy today." The museum is usually always busiest when it rains. Like yesterday, and the days before that going all the way back to 3/14/2020 (the first day the museum was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic) there will be no sounds of children playing. In fact, we may not hear that sound in our museums or playgrounds for a few more weeks

That makes me sad.

Beyond the mere socialization of play, the critical thinking skills and interpersonal skills that are developed through playing with peers has been forced to sit on the sidelines. There is always something invigorating about the sounds of children playing together. Those sounds of laughter bring us hope of a better tomorrow. Even though those sounds are not present, we remember them, we miss them and we sit ready for them to return.

These times are depressing in so many ways. I try to just watch enough news to keep me informed without drowning in it. While we do have a stay-at-home order in Illinois, I do go into the museum daily to feed the fish and check the chicken eggs. I have a couple people assisting with that on days I can't get into the office. It's surreal because I have no personal contact with anyone when I'm there.  Normally I'd encounter parents walking with their children to or from the museum from the parking tower, or I'd see families heading into therapy at Cornerstone or grabbing some ice cream at La Michoacana. It's been very odd.

While we are closed, we've been working to ramp up our social media content to give parents ideas on hopefully stress-free things they can do at home with their children. This has fallen on our staff person, Hedy, who is balancing this while working with her own children at home. My role has really become about museum finances, fundraising and plans for reopening once this pandemic passes, and it will. We just don't know when.

Rest assured that the museum is going to reopen, all memberships will be extended and educational play within our walls will resume. We've already set the new Luau fundraiser date for August 7, 2020 and we are anticipating holding our Egg Hunt for Children with Disabilities in June or July, but are holding off on setting a firm date on that until we get deeper into April.

Some people are asking how they can help and that is so appreciated during this time. Here is a list of things you could do right now:

• Make a donation (any size is helpful) either at the graphic below or mail one to us:
  • 5100 Museum Drive, Oak Lawn, IL  60453
• Set up your own fundraising page at the graphic below. This ties straight into our emergency fund. We are trying to cast a wide net in seeking donations and last night we received a donation out of Missouri from a woman who grew up in the area who just wanted to help.
• Like our Facebook page and like/share content from it.
• Like our Instagram page.
• If you are doing some fun, creative things in your home with your children during this time and would be willing to share those, send us an email and we'll talk about sharing what you are doing on our Facebook page.

Thank you, all, for your patience and caring during this time. Together we will get through this. 

Please be safe,

Adam Woodworth
Executive Director

​By K. DeShawn Smith and Jay Betts
 

It's tempting to spend much of the winter hunkered down inside under a pile of blankets — and it’s no wonder! When it snows where the wind blows, it’s hard to mind the motivation to go outside. Oak Lawn gets about 32 inches of snow each year — that’s 4 inches more than the national average. What to do? Along with so many indoor activities for children, there's plenty to do outdoors. The trick is finding something that will motivate them to connect with nature this winter.

1. Garden

Source
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Kids love dirt! (Especially when they're dressed in their finest clothes.) Bundle them up, and introduce them to the joys of winter gardening. Evergreen hollies, snowdrop bulbs, and purple coneflowers hold up quite well in winter and are suitable for USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 to 7. Ornamental kale and cabbage plants brighten up your landscape. An added bonus? Kids will want to eat what they grow. Buy your children some kid-sized garden tools, give them their own plot, and they'll take pride in their accomplishments.
 
If snow prevents you from gardening outdoors, try an indoor garden. Hydroponic kits and greenhouses are a start to a lifelong love of green thumbing.

2. Take a Hike

​Cold weather doesn’t have to keep you indoors. A thick coat, scarf, and heavy boots, and you're ready for a hike through the snow with your children or grandchildren. Breathe in the fresh air, feel the snowflakes falling on your tongues, and note the glittering sheets of snow and ice. Snow captures the footprints of different animals — you can guess which critter they belong to and take a picture with your cellphone. Point out that no two snowflakes are alike. And think of that nice cup of hot chocolate waiting for you when you return home!
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3. Bird Watching 

Not all birds fly south for the winter. Feathered friends will visit your backyard with a little enticement. Put up a few bird feeders around the backyard where kids can watch from a nearby window. Guidebooks and the internet can help you to identify different cold-winter birds such as cardinals, blue jays, black-capped chickadees, woodpeckers, and snowy owls. Talk about how some birds must seek warmer weather, but others can survive in below-freezing temperatures. Birdhouses may encourage winter birds to come back for a visit in the spring and summer.

4. Treasure Hunt

Nature’s treasure hunts are great for all seasons, even when there's snow on the ground. Make a scavenger hunt list for kids to find: rocks, twigs, leaves, pine cones, empty (fallen) birds’ nests and such. Have them take pictures of birds and trees. Teach your kids about keeping our environment clean by grabbing a few trash bags and picking up litter. A clean planet Earth is a treasure in itself.
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5. Snow Day!

​Snow is part of life. As adults we tend to see it as inconvenient, messy, and exhausting, especially when you have to clear it from the driveway and walkways. Kids often enjoy it, because it means a day off from school. But it doesn't have to mean a day off from learning. Take time to play in the snow. Learn the science of building and lighting an igloo. They'll actually look forward to winter activities like sledding, skiing, tubing, and making that snowman. Start a snowball fight!

6. Indoors

Not every winter day is suitable for outdoor activities, but kids can still connect to nature through books, children’s museums, arts and crafts, science projects, and the like. This is the perfect time to go to the garage and build that birdhouse! Grab a large measuring cup and find out how much snow you need to melt to get a cup of water.
 
Frigid weather won’t stop children from wanting to go outdoors. They may not even feel the cold! It's the parents who often need some encouragement. Be a role model and take advantage of winter’s unique opportunities!
 
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K. DeShawn Smith caught a fish on his first camping trip and he’s been hooked on the outdoors ever since, whether viewed from the deck of a luxurious ski lodge or a hike-in campsite deep in the woods.

Every holiday season nonprofits across the United States come to their supporters, constituents, and donors asking for a year-end donation.  Whether it's Giving Tuesday (December 3rd) or a mailer or an email campaign, there are some safety tips that we'd like to share with you to help you avoid potential scams


1)  Does the email ask have typos and grammatical errors?   If you receive an email asking for a donation with typos and grammatical errors, that's a red flag.  Nonprofit professionals work painstakingly hard to make these emails look professional.  Minor mistakes happen, we are all human.  When in doubt, pick up the phone and call the organization and ask them "Did you send out an email to me requesting a donation?"  

2)  Does the mailer have the address of the organization on the return envelope?  I used to work for a national non-profit organization and from time-to-time, I would be made aware of donation envelopes asking for donations, but the address on the donation return envelope was not to any of our offices.  Make sure that if you have a donation envelope, that the address on the envelope you are to return has the address of one of the offices of the organization you are sending a donation.  Keep in mind that larger non-profits will sometimes use central processing centers for donations. If you are unsure, call the phone number on the non-profit's website.  They would be happy to verify that for you.

3)  Phone calls.  The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn will never call you to ask for a donation over the phone.  Some organizations still practice this, but I've noticed over the years that I am receiving fewer and fewer of these phone calls.  I think the only ones I receive at this point are from the University where I graduated and one of those Illinois police organizations (you know, the ones the local police departments tell you not to donate to?)  If you do get a phone call, the best way to protect yourself is to say "Yes, I'll give but I'm going to go directly to your website to do so" or "I will mail a check to the office address listed on your website."  Legitimate non-profit organizations will say "Thank you" and not pressure you to make that donation on the phone.

4)  Does the email have a link that looks suspicious?  Sometimes this isn't as obvious, but a keen eye can spot subtleties in links within an email that don't look quite right.  A big red flag is if the organization's name isn't even in the link, but even if it is in the link, don't have a false sense of security.  Let's say that the nonprofit's website is www.cmoaklawn.org.  The email you receive says to donate at www.cmoaklawnabc.org/donate.  You might think this is legit, but it would be a scam.  The abc would be the clue that something is amiss.  Again, a quick call to the non-profit would clear that up.

It's disappointing that we live in a world where these types of things can happen, where people, non-profit organizations and businesses can be defrauded.  It's up to us, as supporters, to remain vigilant in protecting ourselves and the non-profits we care about.  If you do get something suspicious that appears to be phishing, fraudulent, or a scam, contact the non-profit and let them know.  They can work with local law enforcement to alert the public that a scam is in motion.

If you ever have a question about donating to the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn, please call me at (708) 423-6709 ext 201.  I would be happy to speak with you.

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Adam Woodworth is the Executive Director of the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn.  To make a donation, visit our website at www.cmoaklawn.org and go to the "Help Us Grow" page.

How many times have you heard the phrase “sunshine is the best medicine”?  Sunshine is the easiest way to gain access to the many benefits of vitamin D. Do you know the variety of ways that vitamin D helps the human body?

The benefit that you are probably most aware of is that vitamin D helps with maintaining strong bones. But it also helps with strong teeth and supports lung function and brain health. If that isn't enough, it also helps fight infections. 

Luckily, you don’t need to spend hours outside during the summer to receive the benefits of vitamin D. In some cases, people can get enough sunlight to produce sufficient vitamin D by spending 10-20 minutes outside with their face and legs exposed. However, you do need to actually go outside – just sitting by a window won’t have the same effect. 

A healthy balance is necessary in many aspects of daily life for both adults and children. One particular way that a healthy balance matters is in the activities we do each day. During the summer, it is easy for children to get into the habit of being less active and spend more time indoors using technology. The habit of staying indoors is not without negative consequences as it can affect your child’s eye health.

The amount of people who are short-sighted is expected to grow significantly within the next 31 years. It has been predicted that by 2050, around 4.8 billion people will be short-sighted. This is a difference of approximately 2.8 billion more people being affected than in 2010. 

While the exact causes of myopia (nearsightedness) are unknown, there is good news. Fortunately, there is something that can be done to help stop nearsightedness. It has been proven nearsightedness can be delayed or even prevented by getting outdoors to play.

When you show your child different things outside such as a variety of animals and plants, it will most likely lead to them asking questions. There are many different things that one can learn about in different environments such as at forest preserves. ​

Your child's questions will most likely concern topics that they never asked about before, especially if they don’t spend much time outdoors. It is to be expected that there will be questions that your child asks that you will not know the answer to immediately.

While not having the answer isn’t the best feeling, this presents a learning opportunity for both adult and child. ​You can respond by taking a guess and encouraging your child to take a guess as well. Their learning can also be enhanced by making sure to look up the answer together and by discussing the findings.  

Did you know that humans are said to have a shorter attention span than a goldfish? It's true! Technology is always readily available and the overload of information that television and social media constantly provide us with can be overwhelming even as adults. There are often too many things that need our attention at the same time, limiting our ability to focus.

​Therefore, it is important to regularly disconnect for both children and adults to be able to refocus on what matters. Green outdoor spaces have even proven to be beneficial for children who have ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), reducing their symptoms. Ultimately, working to improve your child's attention span is crucial as it will help them learn new concepts presented in school more easily.

Whether playing outside with siblings, friends or at the park with neighbors, these interactions provide even more opportunities for children to learn.

There are several basic concepts that children learn from playing games outside with other children. When children play with others, they are able to see how actions influence emotion. It is through these interactions that children can learn about the importance of sharing and taking turns.

Children from different family structures or backgrounds have different likes and dislikes and might have different ideas of games to play. As a result, children can learn to be open-minded to the thoughts of others and try new things.

Also, when children need to explain how a game works, they are able to develop their social skills. When it comes time for a new game, they learn to listen to others and the importance of following rules.  

However, there are times when playing outside may present problems and result in conflict. While these possibilities do not show the positive side of outdoor play, how these problems and conflicts are resolved teach valuable life skills.

Although parents may see children arguing and want to immediately get involved to resolve the conflict, this isn’t always the best thing to do. For example, children might argue about what game to play or want to play with the same toy. When children are faced with such problems, they can learn how to negotiate or solve the problem themselves.
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The weather also is a unique factor that occasionally presents a problem during outdoor play. The weather might not be cooperating with what your child wants to do outside. It might be too cold to go swimming in the pool so they will need to decide on another activity, such as drawing with chalk. 

There are a variety of things outside that children can use in different ways. Some argue that loose parts in nature such as sticks, mud and rocks encourage creativity, pretend play, exploration and more. Children might decide to make mud pies together or use sticks to try and build like they do with blocks. Furthermore, children will need to think more critically when it comes to getting loose sticks to stay together than they need to when they build with blocks.

If you are looking to make an art project or conduct a science experiment with your child but without the mess, take it outside! When you aren’t worried about the mess, you might feel creative enough to join in on the fun. Similarly, children will have more fun when they see that you are laid back and having fun too!
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There are a variety of things that children can play with outdoors that are beneficial for more than just entertainment purposes. When your child is learning how to ride a bicycle or decides to skateboard, it requires them to focus on balance. Alternatively, if your child decides to play a sport such as basketball, they will learn to use both their arms and legs at the same time to dribble the ball and run. This allows them to work on improving their coordination. When playing catch or sports like baseball, children can also improve their hand-eye coordination as well. ​

​However, different outdoor toys, depending on their purpose and how the child decides to use them, can help children improve more than balance and coordination. When a child chooses to pull a wagon, it can help them develop muscle-strength. 

While many adults wish to be kids again because they reflect back on it as an easier time, kids experience stress too! Although children mainly become over-scheduled and stressed during the school year, that isn't to say that it can't happen over the summer. 

Children may get stressed due to problems with friends or overload of information they have at their fingertips due to technology. Therefore, it is not only beneficial to get children outdoors to be physically well, but to feel mentally well. It has been proven that contact with nature can reduce children's feelings of stress. 

In fact, while you cannot get vitamin D from sunshine by looking through a window, you can get stress relief. Yes, you don’t even need to go outside to experience the stress-relieving benefits of nature! Instead, just take some time to look at trees out the window.  
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By spending time outdoors, your child will experience health benefits which can be seen both in the short-term and long-term.

The most well-known more immediate health benefit of spending time outdoors is that it helps children burn off energy and in turn, burn calories. You can also help your toddler fight heart disease by encouraging them to play outdoors. By regularly taking walks with your child can help you both have good heart health.

As mentioned above, one of the other more immediate benefits of vitamin D is that it can help fight infections. Alternatively, a lack of vitamin D can lead to children obtaining a skeletal disorder known as Rickets.

Do you urge your child to avoid playing in the dirt because of the mess? It may sound counter-intuitive at first, but playing in dirt is actually helpful in keeping children healthy. This is especially true for children that need to develop their immune system.
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Does you or your child have trouble sleeping at night? Yes, getting outside can help! 
 
There is a scientific explanation as to how not getting enough daylight and being on technology too much impacts sleep patterns. The truth is that the light we are around when we are indoors versus outdoors is very different. Because outdoor light is brighter and covers a broader spectrum, it helps regulate the body’s internal “sleep clock”. In fact, sunlight even improves the sleep of babies. Babies that slept best at night were exposed to twice as much light between midday hours and 4:00 p.m. compared to poor sleepers.

It is also important to note that when children are active outdoors, they use up more of their energy. This makes them more tired at night than when they spend all day sitting on the couch. 

There are several easy ways to make the time your family spends outside together entertaining and  memorable:

Scavenger hunts are a great way to get children to focus on their surroundings and keep them engaged when spending time outdoors. 

If you are looking for a quick way to get started, you can find premade scavenger hunt sheets. Alternatively, if you are feeling creative, you can make your own easily. One of the best things about a nature scavenger hunt is that you can easily alter it to fit what you want. For example, you can keep it confined to the backyard or around the block. If you are feeling more adventurous, you can prepare a scavenger hunt for a walk in a local forest preserve.  ​

Are you struggling to spend time outside because you don't have a big backyard? Schedule days during the summer to visit the park regularly! 

The park is a great option for outdoor fun and gives children an opportunity to meet those of similar ages.  It is important to keep in mind that different parks may offer a unique selection playground equipment. This can lead to children having different experiences and developing a variety of skills. Therefore, you might want to consider scoping out several parks around your area. You can make planning a trip to the park fun by setting a goal to visit all of the parks where you live before the summer is over. 

Are you looking for a way to get your child playing in the dirt but in a constructive way? Whether you decide to plant flowers, vegetables or both, it can be an educational experience. You can use the activity of planting a garden to teach your child about different types of flowers or the benefits of different vegetables. 

You can also use this as a time to teach your child about responsibility. Once you are done planting, you can encourage your child to stay involved by having them regularly water the garden. ​

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​Sarah Strobel is a Play Coordinator and Staff Writer for the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn.  Contact her at sarah@cmoaklawn.org. ​

We are appreciative of all of those who have given their time and talents to assisting everything from our programmatic needs to our daily operations. Our annual Recognition Dinner will be on July 11th at The Garden Chalet in Worth, IL. You can purchase tickets to attend or sponsor the event by clicking here. 

Below we have highlighted just two of our many awardees that deserve special recognition for their contributions towards our mission to positively impact a child's potential in life through play-based education. 

Wendy Maynard has been a resident of Oak Lawn for 17 years and a CMOL volunteer for over ten years. She is probably best known for her work as the chairperson of the museum's Princess Ball. However, Wendy has also provided her time and talent toward making the museum's Casino Night fundraisers and annual Fall Fun Fest successful as well. 

Wendy began volunteering at the museum with the help of her grandfather, Jim Buschbach. She also volunteered at St. Gerald's School in Oak Lawn as a home room mom and lunch mom. 

Wendy has one daughter and has been an agent at Buschbach Insurance for the last 26 years. In her spare time, she enjoys shopping, gardening and traveling with her family. Wendy has several big plans for the summer,  including visiting Europe with the Buschbach family and moving to Knoxville, Tennessee in August. 
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Dr. Tim Ritchie, the chairman of the Psychology Department at Saint Xavier University, and his students have been working to further ensure the museum's educational value. Throughout the summer, students are conducting observations to see how children play and how the museum’s exhibits can be improved. The student observations will be used in developing a learning framework to assist the museum in achieving its mission.