Written by by Kelly Grimes
Here at the future Grand Haven Children’s Museum – we’re all about play and its benefits. The beauty of play, especially during the first five years, is when the child first starts experiencing skills of their own autonomy.
How a toddler or young child chooses to spend their play time is crucial to building their self-esteem and happiness. Depending on the various settings and the child’s developmental age, independent play activities will vary greatly and should feel safe and free of environmental stressors.
The daily empowerment given to a toddler or young child to be able to explore various types of play has a profound impact on the child’s healthy brain development and proves to lower stress levels. In essence, free time for your child to engage in playing, talking, singing, imagining, exploring, discovering, reading and moving at their own pace in a safe, content world of empowering independent play.
Now, let’s think about empowering play on a bigger scale. Using our collective community powers and support – we can build a child-focused museum. Think how we will impact thousands of young minds every year, producing happy thinkers and tinkerers.
Kelly Grimes is an experienced educator who taught at Grand Haven’s Griffin Elementary for 32 years. Now retired, she’s joined our board of directors and is eager to apply all she’s learned during her successful teaching career to the development of the new Children’s Museum, so all families will have a fun and safe space to explore, wonder, think, and play together.