How to talk with kids (and moonlight creatives) about their art

Another mommy once gave me great words to say when a child shows me their creative work: Tell me about your picture.

She had just witnessed me saying, “wow what a fabulous pirate with big bunny ears” only to have the boy cringe because I called his pirate’s ears big. Those were not ears, but balloons to take the pirate out to space.

Right now, I'm in that heady creative space where I think I’ve come up with the precisely perfect campaign slogan for a client. I struggled to find the right words and then really think I heard trumpets in my head when the idea appeared (sort of like putting balloons on a pirate). Presenting it via email was a mistake, I know, but they were in a rush and ...

It’s been 27 hours and counting. You develop a thick skin when you do creative as a profession, but every idea is still precious. I want a chance to tell them about my picture. I bet they think it’s bunny ears.

Amy

What if kids picked our jobs? What would you be?

Mommy, I don't want you to work at that job anymore. You should do something else.

Even though I know we can chalk this conversation up to day before Pre-K jitters, I was kind of crushed. Reason #2 that I got into teaching kids to cook was so that Maggie would think I had a really cool job. Maybe she doesn't dig the uniform? The hat IS silly. So I asked her what SHE thinks I should do ...

Like what? What job should I do? What am I good at?
Reading books.
So maybe I should be a librarian?
No. Somebody already does that job. Remember?
Oh, right. I'll have to think of something else.
You could be Todd Parr. And read books to kids and draw pictures.
But somebody already is Todd Parr, remember?
We could have more of him.

Smile. I love when a memory of a great day out comes back to visit. How wonderful that authors take the time to visit local libraries. Mr. Parr, you left a sizeable impression on Maggie when you came to Tampa. And me.

Wouldn't it be cool if kids decided what all of our real jobs would be? I'm sure there'd be plenty of books and things that get built and space and sea exploration. Farmers. Scientists. Art and automobiles. Vroom!

I'll keep cooking, but maybe someday I'll write a book, too.

Amy

Be a Part of the Museum

I read in USA Today last week that there's a "compassion boom" going on. More Americans are getting involved in their communities, especially by volunteering. Here's something I didn't know before I got involved (as a volunteer) with the Glazer Museum: funding for the museum comes completely from donations and grants. There's a list of the generous individuals and businesses already involved at glazermuseum.org. I especially like reading the Naming Gifts page, because it also gives a glimpse at the neat activities that kids will get to do at the museum, thanks to the generosity of the museum's donors.

You can and should get involved. Share your treasure, share your time. Tell everyone you know about the museum. More donations are needed, both time and dollars, to complete this fabulous educational resource for Tampa's kids. Visit the museum's website to learn how you can be a part

Amy

Tell Us About Your Child's Imagination

I heard Maggie crying the in dark last night so I went in to calm her down. She sat up in bed and said "Mommy, I was in my imagination and there was an inchworm on Minnie's nose and it jumped on me."

Giggle. So magical to have a child articulate the concept of imagination -- to feel it so real, but know (kind of) that it's not. The lines between real and imaginary aren't fully developed in Maggie (nearly every night lately she looks out the window in hopes of seeing Peter Pan), but she's starting to develop some distinctions.

What has your child imagined? When could they tell the difference between real and imaginary?

Please share stories about YOUR child's imagination by using the comment link below.

Amy

Check Out the Diggers!

Take a trip downtown to see where the new museum will be. There's a great view from from the University of Tampa. Just walk from the steps of the Plant Museum toward the river, and you can see the building in progress, along with lots of big machines.

Things to take along:

1. A camera so you can document the ages and sizes of your kids as this landmark building emerges on the banks of our city.

2. The book Richard Scarry's "Cars and Trucks and Things that Go" so you can name all the cool diggers.

3. If it's the middle of July ... sunscreen and a plan for getting back in the car. Ice cream works well.

Amy

Hello … I’m Amy, a Tampa mom of a preschooler who will be sharing in the excitement and anticipation of our city’s new museum. I moved to Tampa from Los Angeles a couple of years ago and decided before I begin writing for the Glazer Children’s Museum, the first thing I should do is find out who the Glazer’s are (had no idea – again, new in town). Once I figured it out (ah ha!), the second thing I had to do was tell my friend Erika, ginormous Bucs fan, about the museum. And of course, a woman who could not love the Buccaneers and thus the Glazer family more, now loves the Glazer family more for their gift to kick off the capital campaign to build a cool new museum for our city’s children. Yes, cheers to the Glazer Family. And cheers to ah ha moments. Yesterday, I secretly wondered if the Glazer’s were related to Starsky (as a child of the 70s, my first love). Today I can’t even believe that crossed my mind (s vs. z).

Groundbreaking - Monday March 9, 2009

The Glazer Children’s Museum officially broke ground Monday, March 9 on the new facility, located in the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, with a ceremony involving Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, co-president, Glazer Family Foundation

Bryan Glazer, co-chairman, Glazer Family Foundation, county and city officials and supporters of the project. The groundbreaking marks a 16-month construction and move-in process, with a grand opening expected in Spring 2010.

The new three story facility, comprising 53,000 square feet, will serve as an early childhood educational resource for parents and caregivers, as well as local schools and area child service providers. The multi-disciplinary exhibits, educational programs, resource center and events are estimated to bring in 200,000 visitors annually to the facility.

J.O. DeLotto and Sons, Inc. (DeLotto) is the construction manager for the project. The design for the museum is led by the architectural team, GouldEvans-haizlip studio.

"The groundbreaking represents a key point in the museum’s evolution and its service to the Tampa Bay community,” said Al Najjar, president and CEO of the Glazer Children’s Museum. “The new museum will serve as an educational resource and a new destination at the heart of Tampa, adding to the already superb quality of life and contributing to regional economic development," he added.

It’s close proximity to Interstate 275 and I-4 positions the Glazer Children’s Museum as a resource for local and regional visitors, as well as tourists. The museum will attract families to the downtown area to enjoy all of the amenities that complement the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.