At the Museum, we believe unstructured Discovery Play encourages development of creativity. Creativity is more than the ability to paint or make music, of course - it's the ability to create novel connections, develop new themes, and see patterns.
Last week's New Yorker Magazine has a fascinating article examining the science behind those "eureka" moments - unfortunately only an abstract is available online - but if you can find a copy (it has a dinner party with lobsters escaping on the cover) do check it out.
Researchers John Kounios, a cognitive neuroscientist at Drexel University, and Mark Jun-Beeman, a cognitive neuroscientist at Northwestern University, explain that "the insight process is an act of cognitive deliberation--the brain must be focussed on the task at hand--transformed by accidental, serendipitous connections."
So, when your kids come to play here, we encourage them to use our exhibitions in novel ways - to get into the "flow" of playing and develop their own insights into the way the world works. Not only are they having fun, but they're exercising the part of their brain that will lead to creative success in the future.
Spice up your Saturday with a “gumbo” of Cajun, Creole, Zydeco and jazz influences from Johnette Downing. She's been called "the pied piper of Louisiana music traditions" and we're sure all your little ones will be dancing up a storm to her multi-award winning music.
Johnette says, "Some of my earliest childhood memories are of my parents, my siblings and me standing in the doorways of Jazz clubs in the French Quarter and listening to Dixieland Jazz. I want to share music with children the way my parents shared it with me at such a young age. I perform music for children because I love it, I respect children, I like making children laugh and think, I want to share my musical culture, and I like giving children a reason to celebrate being children."
Want a sample of her songs? Click on through to her Web site to listen to a medley and view a video.
She performs at 11 a.m. this Saturday - tickets are $6 for members and $8 general (babies under 1 are free).
Thanks for everyone who wrote us in for the category Best Enviro-Friendly Place in the Bay Area for families! We're thrilled that you think of us when you "think green." Fostering environmental appreciation in our children is a deep part of our mission, and we're glad you agree.
Did you have a garage band when you were younger? Loud noises that sounded like music and some noises that were actually music?
Take that moment of music creativity and start it early with your children. Stimulate their imagination and create a Kitchen Band! Try these "instruments" and see what songs come from your own little Beethoven's:
Drums - Pots of all depths create different sounds and wooden spoons instantly become drumsticks.
Cymballs - Empty pie tins can be clapped together to accompany the drummer.
Maracas - tupperware with dry beans or macaroni inside.
Microphone - use a ladle, egg beater, wooden spoon.
Take and familiar song like Twinkle, Twinkle or Old MacDonald and try to time out the beats as they sing.
For many adults, the Middle East is a political place - but this weekend, bring your children to enjoy a different view of life, with a fairy tale set in Baghdad. The Golden Thread Players present The Girl Who Lost Her Smile, featuring the visually rich traditions of Iranian storytelling.
Their vision is "to create a world where our common experience as human beings supersedes our cultural and political differences. In our vast imagination, the Middle East is defined not by geographical boundaries and political separations, but as the shared experience of the people, who throughout history have been touched by its tales, melodies and aromas. The Middle East lives inside us, as we redefine ourselves, we redefine the Middle East."
P.S. That coupon code? It's still active! Use groovy to take $1 off each ticket when you buy online in advance!
We're enjoying our third week of camps at the Museum - with fort-making, drumming and dancing, and performances of homemade bug stories!
Visit our Flickr page to check out some photos of our creative campers - and if you still need a camp for a week or two for your little bug, sign up online!
¡Ahora es posible encontrar información en Español en nuestro sitio web! Usted podrá leer leer sobre todo lo que tenemos que ofrecer aqui en el Bay Area Discovery Museum para ninos de edades 0-8.
Descubre toda la diversión y la emoción para ninos y adultos en el Museo.
Highly acclaimed musician (and mom) Frances England returns to the Museum for what's sure to be another sold-out show - this time for a CD release party for her second album, Family Tree.
Reminiscent of Sarah McLaughlin and Norah Jones, Frances plays indie-folk music for kids that parents will enjoy too! Zooglobble (a terrific site that reviews kids' music) calls it, "a melding of folk and lo-fi indie pop originals that stands out from most of the kids music world in its sound and centeredness."
P.S. A special deal for our loyal blog readers - use the coupon code groovy when you buy your tickets online today to save $1 off each ticket!
Thanks to everyone who marched with us in the SF Pride Parade on Sunday - our festive contingent of Tykes on Bikes included member families, staff families and Board of Trustee families of all varieties! We had the great joy of marching behind the Lesbian & Gay Freedom Band - nothing puts a skip in your step like hearing the crowd cheer and sing along to "Goin' to the Chapel"!
Check out some of the photos and commentary out there on the Web about our group - and if you marched with us, put your link in the comments and add your photos to our flickr group!
The Bay Area Discovery Museum is walking as the Tykes on Bikes contingent this Sunday, and we'll be in the family-friendly front of the parade (no naked people nearby!) near other schools and family groups.
We are celebrating families of all compositions, whether 2 moms, 2 dads, mom/dad, single parents, grandparents etc. It is SO MUCH FUN - the generosity of spirit from the crowds is really energizing. You can see some pictures from our contingent last year here on Flickr.
We'll meet by 10 a.m. on Spear St between Mission & Howard - we're contingent #26. We will have pinwheels and streamers to wave at the crowds, decorations for your bikes & strollers, plus stickers to hand out. Feel free to come with your own decorated stroller / bike as well. It is likely to be quite warm - bring water and sunscreen, and most importantly, comfortable shoes! We will be marching from Spear up to Market Street, then down Market street to 8th Street. Following the parade is a celebration at Civic Center .
Families coming from Marin might consider taking the ferry, since it will be extremely difficult to park downtown. There is a special ferry trip just for Pride leaving at 8:45 am from Larkspur. Return trips are at 12:40 pm, 2:40 pm, 4:40 pm and 7:15 pm - last year we made it onto the 12:40 ferry back, but it depends on how long the parade takes, which can vary.
