Random Act of Kid-ness: Giving the Gift of Play to Children with Special Needs
This week’s Random Act of Kid-ness comes to us from Fairfield, OH where 10 year old Ashton Isler decided to forego birthday presents this year. Instead, he asked his party guests to donate money to the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League, which is a baseball league for children and adults with special needs. Baseball is Ashton’s favorite sport, and when he heard about the Miracle League project while watching a Reds game last summer, he wanted more people to be able to enjoy it as much as he does. He said:
“I didn’t really need anything else. I want to do it again (this year) [...] I am so happy that other children with challenges can play this game too.”
In response to Ashton’s efforts, Fairfield Mayor Ron D’Epifanio proclaimed Tuesday Ashton Isler Day and made him honorary mayor for the day. Kim Nuxhall of the Miracle League presented Ashton with a character education poster signed by former Reds Sean Casey and a certificate from the Reds good for tickets for an April game.
What a wonderful way to give back! To read more about this great story, click here.
Open Door Days at the Zimmer
While all children and families are always welcome at the Zimmer, the museum opens on special days exclusively for families with children with special needs. At the Zimmer, we are committed to making quality play and learning experiences available to all children. While the Zimmer works diligently to provide inclusive programs every day, our Open Door Days combine special considerations regarding cost and ‘busy-ness’ of the museum with an understanding community. Our hope is that visiting the museum is enjoyable for all families, and Open Door Days serves as another option so that all families in the city may play and learn together at the Zimmer.
To learn more about our Open Door Days and make your free reservation for the next one on February 18, click here.
Open Door Days are generously sponsored by CVS Caremark.
Have You Seen It?!: Seasonal Craft Kits
Have you seen these SEASONAL CRAFT KITS available in the museum?!
Our Autumn Aprons kits were extremely popular this fall, and now we have two more kits, each available for donation* of $15 or more. You can paint vehicles and make your own roads with the Open Road kit, or decorate your own little winter beanie with Wacky Wearables!
*The Zimmer offers free and discounted memberships to families who qualify, and any donation helps make the power of play available to another family!
What are you waiting for? Come get your own kit at the Zimmer’s front desk today!
Summer Intern Spotlight: Ali Weiss
This week, say hello to another wonderful summer intern, Ali Weiss!
Name: Ali Weiss
A little bit about her: Ali is an intern at the Zimmer Children’s Museum this summer. In the fall, she will be a senior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where she is studying Graphic Communication. In her free time, Ali enjoys hiking, reading, collaging, watching movies, and doing yoga.
Why the Zimmer?
I wanted to experience living in a different city this summer, so coming to Los Angeles was a perfect opportunity. The Zimmer is a place where I am able to combine my love for children, art, and learning.
Take me through a day in the life of Ali at the Zimmer.
In the morning hours, you can find me clad in my orange Zimmer t-shirt working on the museum floor or helping out with the summer camp. In the afternoons, I am upstairs with Arielle working on the computer, doing research and designing!
What’s your favorite exhibit at the Zimmer?
Bubbie’s Bookstore – it’s a comfy place for kids to sit and read or play with puppets!
What is the most memorable thing you have been involved in here?
I have really enjoyed helping Emily with the summer camp; the kids are adorable and you get to know them a lot better since you work with them for multiple days at a time.
Do you think interning at the Zimmer will help shape your career path? If so, how?
I think interning at the Zimmer will give me an idea of what I am interested in doing after I graduate. I will get a better feel of careers both in museums and in the marketing/graphic communication field!
Thanks, Ali! Stay tuned for more summer intern spotlights!
Summer Intern Spotlight: Emily Fare
This summer, we are so excited to have some seriously INCREDIBLE interns. Over the next couple weeks, we’ll be featuring them on our blog so you can get to know a little bit more about them! This week, say hello to Emily Fare!
Name: Emily Fare
A little bit about her: Emily is a senior at the University of Colorado at Boulder and is majoring in Psychology. She plans to go to graduate school for Child Psychology or Educational Psychology. Her passion for working with children was sparked in high school when she volunteered at a local elementary school as a teacher’s assistant in a 3rd grade class. She has also worked at summer camps and has volunteered at a local pony baseball snack shack. Emily has also volunteered at a children’s library. Emily’s consistent involvement with children led her to working at the Zimmer Children’s Museum.
Why the Zimmer?
I chose to intern at the Zimmer because I basically get to play all day! I get so much responsibility such as running Summer Camp, teaching some classes, and helping out with field trips. But most importantly, I get to have fun while doing all these things! I get to surround myself with great children, great families, and great co-workers. I love the Zimmer because it really allows kids to explore and develop. The Zimmer takes pride in teaching kids new skills such as responsibility and community and I love how even the young children can grow.
Take me through a day in the life of Emily at the Zimmer.
Well everyday is different! Some days I can be found walking around the museum helping children and talking to the parents. Other days you won’t even see me at all because I will be running our awesome Summer Camp or planning for the next week! I spend most of my time preparing for summer camp, but when I’m not, people can come visit me when I teach Culture Club and Block Party on Thursday’s. I also help coordinate for the field trips that come in to the Zimmer twice a week! That’s pretty much my typical day doing summer camp, teaching my classes, helping in other classes, or just helping out around our museum!
What’s your favorite exhibit at the Zimmer?
My favorite exhibit would definitely have to be the rescue boat and ball pit! I love how children who may not know each other will sometimes all join in a game to play pirates or sharks. I love how you can really see the kids imaginations take off. I feel like the ball pit brings kids closer together in a fun, imaginative way.
What is the most memorable thing you have been involved in here?
Definitely working at the Summer Camp! This was my first time working with 4 and 5 year olds and they are amazing! They just want to have fun and I’m the person who allows them to do so. I love that feeling of being looked up to and I think when kids are that age, it’s easy for them to look up to someone who is having as much fun as they are. I love free exploration time on the rescue boat during Summer Camp because sometimes I get to be captain and just have a great time!
Do you think interning at the Zimmer will help shape your career path? If so, how?
Without a doubt! Interning at the Zimmer has already helped me so much because I’ve never really worked with kids younger than 7. This experience so far has been amazing and I continue to learn and grow each day. They can’t really teach you in school what I’ve learned here at the Zimmer Children’s Museum. You really just have to experience it and the experiences I’ve had here will definitely help me in a career with children. I plan to work at an elementary school someday and I’m sure the lessons I learn here will help me with my work choice. You learn, developmentally, how to interact, play, and teach these children and I cannot think of a better place to learn these skills!
Thanks, Emily! Stay tuned for more summer intern spotlights!
Staff Spotlight: Maria Palazzolo, Associate Director of Play and Learning
It’s time again to meet another Zimmer staff member. Say hello to Maria, our Associate Director of Play and Learning!
Name: Maria Palazzolo
Position: Associate Director of Play and Learning
A little bit about her: Maria completed her Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Long Beach in the field of Family Studies, with a specialization in Child Development. She received her Master’s degree in Early Education in 2008 from California State University Long Beach. Maria has worked in both private and public schools, as well as nonprofit organizations. This unique background has provided a foundation for best practice in working with children of all ages. Maria’s passion for helping children to realize their full potential and access their strengths drives her to become a better human being!
“My passion in life is to inspire parents to be their child’s number one advocate! I strongly believe in the power of love, positive guidance and a free-mind spirit. My number one priority is to create a partnership between parents and educators to insure that children get the best education experience possible.”
Childhood hero: My mom
Take me through a day in the life of Maria at the Zimmer.
Every day at the Zimmer, it’s a new adventure, and you never know what to expect! My job at Zimmer has me pretty busy. A typical day can include planning classes, seeking resources to expand our programs, building community relationships, and of course, my favorite part- building relationships with our guests! No one day at the Zimmer is the same; every day brings a new challenge and a satisfaction beyond words. Among the many responsibilities I have here at the Zimmer, I take my passion for children’s learning very seriously. I am committed to offering our guests the best education experience possible.
What’s your favorite exhibit at the Zimmer?
My favorite exhibit is the Wishing Wall; I love the meaning behind it. I truly feel it allows our guests to sit and really think about others and explain to their children what it means to have wishes for the world and what those wishes look like. I often hear the most amazing conversations among parents and their little ones! It’s very inspiring.
What is the most memorable thing you have been involved in here?
Everything! But in particular, the baby classes we offer. I have the honor of seeing these little babies grow and learn right before my eyes! I love that we can create an environment where is safe and loving. I love to see the reaction of the babies when they walk in the class to see all the sensory activities we have planned for them. It’s amazing how much learning takes place.
Thanks, Maria! Stay tuned for our next spotlights, which will be on our new SUMMER INTERNS!
Have You Seen It?!: WANTED Posters
Have you seen these new WANTED posters around the museum?! We’re always on the hunt for new additions to enhance each one of our exhibits, and now, your generosity could help us capture these items!
If you see a WANTED poster and can help us out, just visit the front desk to make your tax-deductible donation. We thank you so much in advance!
Have You Seen It?!: New Tools
Have you seen these new tools in our Construction Zone?!
Come get crafty and learn how the mechanics of each of these tools works and how they work together. What will YOU build when you come to play?
Have You Seen It?!: Gear Wall
Have you seen our brand new gear wall, Connections?! 
Our new play space is placed thematically in the Zimmer’s building area right next to our giant pinball machine and Construction Zone. Connections is a stainless steel wall with a variety of sizes of gears that are removable. The combinations are endless! By seeing how the different gears affect one another, your little ones can learn how we are all connected and how each of our actions affects others. The gear wall is not only insanely fun, but it also teaches: cause and effect, fine motor and manipulative skills, problem-solving, colors and patterns, and principles of motion!
So what are you waiting for? Come learn about connections today!
Random Act of Kid-ness: Game that Grants a Wish
Random Acts of Kid-ness are not necessarily about specific kids who are help making the world a better place. Every so often, we highlight tools that might help kids learn random acts of kindness, and today we’re doing just that.
For this week’s Random Act of Kid-ness, we feature a partnership between the nonprofit charity, Wish Upon A Hero, and the Facebook game, A Better World. A Better World is a free game that focuses on encouraging people to do good deeds. Players can create characters, play games, care for pets, and much more, but the way the players progress in the game is by doing kind things for others, both inside and outside of the virtual game. The charity Wish Upon a Hero wants to grant a wish for Gracie’s Place, a special needs school for children. Gracie’s Place wants a new transport van to assist more children and families in need.
Through this partnership, people can sign into A Better World and visit the Sanctuary of Hope section of the game. Players can post a dream or hope, or support those of others. If 100,000 hopes are posted or supported, ToonUps (the creator of the game) will answer the wish of Gracie’s Place in order to help them fulfill the hopes and dreams of these special needs kids. ToonUps Vice President of Product Development, Gregory Hansell, says:
“Our players are absolutely extraordinary in their support and desire to do the right thing. We’re excited that this month, our players can make real world dreams come true for special needs children by sharing their own hopes and dreams inside the game.”
You can read a lot more about this story and how you can help grant a wish by playing A Better World here.
Do you know of other fun games that promote random acts of kindness? Share them below!
Staff Spotlight: Belinda, Education Program Manager
It’s time again to meet another wonderful Zimmer staff member. Say hello to BELINDA, our Education Program Manager!
Name: Belinda Vong
Position: Education Program Manager
A little bit about her: Belinda is an artist and educator. She received a BA in Sociology and a BA in Studio Art from the University of California, Irvine, and continues to study Early Childhood Education at East Los Angeles Community College. Previously she has worked as a Program Coordinator at the UCI Cross-Cultural Center, and as an after-school teacher in the Mountain View School District working with students from Kindergarten through 5th grade. Her involvement at the UCI Cross-Cultural Center and experience in working with children in underserved communities continues to fuel her passion for creating access for young children to learn about the world around them through creative and interactive play. When at the museum, you can find her twisting up some quirky balloon animals or guiding your next school field trip!
Childhood heroes: Sailor Moon and Martha Stewart
Take me through a day in the life of Belinda at the Zimmer.
Usually I step into the museum and head down to the lower level towards the galley to drop my lunch off in the fridge. This is when I like to take my rounds on the lower level, walking through each exhibit making sure that each space is ready to be played in. I usually get a few minutes to myself at my desk to check my e-mails and voicemails, and to prepare for the day. Then 10 o’clock hits, our doors open to the general public, and the kids start crawling in!
Throughout the day, I can be doing anything from welcoming a bus load of eager preschoolers for their annual field trip to the Zimmer or preparing our art room or program room for a class. I also try to squeeze in some time at my desk to do some office work and to brainstorm new program ideas! Though our weekly programs are always the same, and field trips are typically scheduled to come only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, each day is never the same… which makes it that much more exciting to come to work each day!
What’s your favorite exhibit at the Zimmer?
It’s hard to decide on any one favorite exhibit! I definitely appreciate the overall connectedness of our exhibits and the many ways to explore and learn from each of them. For instance, the simple act of being able to plant soft and bright flowers into our recycled garden hoe holders is a neat way to illustrate not only how we can recycle materials, but also how we can help to take care of our planet – by planting flowers! The little ones can also practice numbers by counting the flowers, or sorting by grouping the different colors of the petals… and these are just a few activities of one part of one exhibit! Imagine the many experiences the little ones can have throughout the entire museum!
What is the most memorable thing you have been involved in here?
The greatest part about working in a space with children, is that each day is definitely not like any other day, and each day is always filled with memorable moments.
Off the top of my head, one of the first memorable moments I’ve had was on my 3rd day on the job. The other staff and I noticed a piece of brownie on the ground by the Mann Theater. It definitely was a brownie… or was it? It wasn’t too dry, nor too moist, but a very nice and solid chunk of something brown. We circled it, bent down to smell it… sure enough, it was definitely a ‘code brown.’ One of our brave part-time staff slapped on some gloves, scooped it up, and vindicated (our cleaning solution) it!
Of course, since then, I’ve had many more equally memorable experiences. A few of my other favorites have been CAMP Zimmer, Sunday Family Day programs with Love on 4 Paws, Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips, and Wishes for Our World. AND, I’m excited for more memorable moments to come!
Thanks, Belinda! Check back next month to meet another member of the Zimmer team!
