Mommy Moments
Discovery Center Revealed in Time for summer
By Briana D’Andrea
As the 2015 school year comes to a close, I can’t help but reflect on my little guy’s first year. It’s been an amazing ride, full of ups and downs. Most of all, I think of how much his vocabulary has advanced, how amazing his social skills have developed and how much he has transformed from a budding toddler into a little boy. Every year, the teachers put together an assessment of each child. I am truly in awe of all of the things my son has managed to learn and pick up, as a result of being around his friends and in a classroom setting alongside some great teachers. I am one proud parent!
Enough boasting on my end…with the school year coming to a close, it’s now the parents turn to pick up where the teachers left off…to continue to forge the education he was afforded in every way possible until school picks up again in the fall. Let’s be honest, there’s only so much to do in this Florida heat. Aside from the beach, pool and the playground, parents are always looking for something to do to sneak away from the scorching days. That’s where the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium comes into play. We were lucky enough to spend the day there with our family. The Science Center unveiled a new kiddie play area for children aged 6 and under called the “Discovery Center.”
Upon walking into this cute and secluded pre-k zoned area for our kiddies to sneak away from the older ones, to give them a space to play, we were welcomed by a 16 by 5 foot water play table. The ultimate of water tables, I must say! Each child is welcome to wear a smock and choose from an array of floating water toys to toss down a flowing river. The table also features a series of colored plates to create pathways for the toys to drift. It’s a great way to teach the youngsters about science in the simplest form. After my son managed to get soaked despite the smock (proof he had an awesome time!), we made our way over to a life-sized Lite-Brite wall! It was probably my favorite portion of the room, because it brought back some great nostalgic memories for me as a child. Lite-Brite was by far my favorite toy of all time. I still remember finishing a work of art and the accomplishment I felt upon turning off the light switch. My son had the best time taking these life sized pins and poking them into the wall in order to create instant illumination. I vowed to figure out a way to create one of those walls at home.
Lastly, there was a small lounge area for parents to watch their children either dress up in pretend clothing or choose from an array of books to read. There were also a number of musical instruments for the kids to play with. Additionally, the science center now boasts a number of hands on exhibits for the children to explore. I consider it a win-win, when you get to have fun while educating our children. We had a wonderful time and can’t wait to come back in the fall when they are scheduled to re-do the outside portion of the museum. If you’re looking for somewhere to duck in the shade, check out the newest additions to the museum. Happy summer!
***
Briana D’Andrea is a former news anchor, reporter, producer and writer turned mommy. She traded in travel and red carpets to raise her almost 2-year-old baby boy and wouldn’t trade it for anything else in the world. She keeps up with her love of writing as a healthy foods examiner http://www.examiner.com/healthy-foods-6-in-west-palm-beach/briana-d-andrea. She loves spending time in her backyard with her husband, son and shih-tzu. Her hobbies include bike riding with her hubby and coloring with her son.