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IMAGINEU 2023
The ImagineU Museum Magazine is published yearly and is distributed via direct mail to homes in the museum database. Addional copies are available at the museum. Design: ImagineU MarkengWriter: Stephanie KinserEditor: Marissa CarpenterCover photo: Kreatve Content Photographers: Kreatve Content and Memories by Tannis Faye Thoughts from the Execuve Director These past few years have been good to ImagineU. We came back from 2020 better and stronger than before, excited to move forward. We had a clear vision and perspective, and we were so, so ready to get moving again, and go through our days with purpose and intention.Somehow, as we’ve gotten back into the “routine” of life, it feels like we’re rushing through everything. We rush to our next meeting, we scarf down our meals, we rush to our next appointment, or practice. It’s like we’ve forgotten that we were determined to be intentional. I’m feeling this rush more acutely now that I’ve dropped my youngest off at college. The weight of time is heavy on my heart. Where did it all go?As ImagineU continues to press forward, we want to make sure that we don’t just do business intentionally, but that we’re also intentional with our time. We want to be present in the small moments here at the museum. Parents and grandparents, we encourage you to slow down just a little bit and take it all in when you’re here at ImagineU. Put the phones away. Give your attention only to the children right in front of you. When my children were little, there were many days where it felt like the day would never end. It’s funny how time seems to speed up as they grow older. As I watch my teenagers become more independent and interesting, I can’t help but wonder why they have to leave just when they get to be really fun! I can honestly say that 18 years, wasn’t enough time.While we’re excited for all the new adventures that the future holds, let’s not forget to take in the moments of today. Here’s to slowing down and taking it all in, one day at a time.Execuve Director BOARD OF DIRECTORS JR SHANNONPresident BRIANA LAGOMARSINOVice-PresidentNICOLA WISSLERTreasurerRAYMOND MACARENOSecretaryJILLIAN LONGGRANT SMITHCONNOR FISHERSCOTT SCHUILJENNIFER PACHECOJOSH ORMONDE
IMAGINEU STRIVES O INSPIRE OUR COMMUNITY O LUE IMAGINAION AND PL AS OOLS OR EDUCAION AND LIFE. Hands-on learning has long been touted by parents and educators as a key factor in raising children who develop a lifelong love of learning, perform better academically and develop socially, intellectually, and emotionally. ImagineU strives to inspire the value of creative play through a safe and fun hands-on environment that gives children the wonder of imagination, the excitement of exploration, and the love of learning. Each exhibit at ImagineU has been carefully created to include aspects of both educational and creative play. Children can dream of what it could be like to be a doctor, teacher, artist, farmer, or first responder. The possibilities at ImagineU are endless, allowing children to create and dream beyond their own boundaries. ImagineU is a local non-profit that relies on the partnership and support of businesses. Through membership and fundraising eorts, the museum can continue to financially sustain itself and remain a staple in the Central Valley for many generations to come.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE O DONAE PLEASE SCAN THE CODE HERE ImagineU’s aim is to create an environment that is supportive of imagination, exploration, and learning. In today’s world, where technology dominates our lives, it is essential to take a moment to connect with the present moment. However, our increased screen time has resulted in health issues, lack of social skills, and the inability to focus and self-regulate, which induces stress and anxiety, even in young children. Studies have shown that “Aquarium Therapy” can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, with just ve minutes of gazing at a fish tank having a mesmerizing effect on calming our hearts and muscles, inducing relaxation. Dr. Alan Beck from Purdue University’s Center for the Human-Animal Bond highlights the powerful impact that viewing nature can have on our mental well-being. ImagineU’s serene environment, where families can unwind, lower stress levels, and create cherished memories, is the goal. A whimsical sh tank that embodies the essence of ImagineU will transport guests to a world of pure imagination, providing an escape from worries. To bring this vision to life, ImagineU is seeking donations to build a museum aquarium. Any contribution will make a signicant difference, and your support will be greatly appreciated. Together, we can create a space that benets both children and adults’ mental well-being and happiness. Please scan the QR code provided to explore partnership opportunities and contribute to this meaningful cause. Thank you for considering our proposal. We look forward to working with you to create an exceptional experience at ImagineU.Thank you to these generous individuals for their donations towards Fund-a-Fish at ImagineUAlex & Kristen Van DellenAndrea AlvarezBrian & Adrienne PoochigianCathy & Ray MillerChadi & Gretchen KahwajiCiara & Andrew LopezConnie KautzDan WeissDaniel WisslerDarlene MataDarren & Diane AldacoGene & Dru QuesnoyGrant & Carly SmithJillilan LongJR & Jayme ShannonJulia CoopmansKathleen KellyKelli AguliarLove BainsMark & Alyssa OrwigMorren JacobNate WitschiNick GambiniRudy & Terri MarnezRyan & Renee LandsdowneSco LawrenceSco SchuilShannon & Taylor MacadamShelley SousaStefanie & Nathan NealeSteve NelsonStephen SchuilThomas & Elaine ClarTiany BrinkmanZach & Lindsey Distefano
Write your answer here Can you help Otis get the fish into the bowl? Otis Activity Page Otis Activity Page
DOORS OPEN AT 5:30PMYOU ARE INVITED SATURDAYMAY 4, 2024COCKTAIL ATTIRE
Whenever children say “Let’s pretend”, a new landscape of possibilities for learning is revealed. When children pretend, they try on new feelings, roles and ideas. They stretch their minds along with their imaginations. -Margie Curtis & Deb Carter
3PRINCIPLES healy PLAY123Prioritize hands-on playPlay is essential when it comes to your child’s health and development. Look for toys that inspire imaginative, open-ended thinking, and can be used in different ways to grow with your child. enjoy screen-free time Limit screen time to no more than 1 hour per day of high-quality programming for children ages 2-5. For children younger than 2, media should be very limited. It’s best when an adult is standing by to co-view, talk and teach. Interact & connect through playYour child learns best from you! Use play as an opportunity to talk, read, and sing with your children, all of which will build their vocabularies, reduce stress, create connection and develop foundational skills for learning. Source: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) / melissaanddoug.com
-The American Academy of Pediatrics “ Play is not frivolous: it enhances brain structure and function...”Watch me play is: A STATE OF BEINGPlay involves living in the moment, losing track of time, feeling connected and experiencing joy, laughter, and even a sense of calm while working through ideas together. Watch me play is: A WINDOW INTO A CHILD’S MIND During open-ended play, children reveal their emotions, their learning style, and their personalities. Play builds open-minded and empathic thinking, prompting children to approach the world with more curiosity and flexibility. Watch me play is: MULTI-FACETED Children at play learn by observing others, testing new ideas, helping at home, listening, and engaging in daily conversation. 1 2 3 a chore list a competition a performance test skill and drill exercises WATCH ME!Hey
PARENTING IN THE AGE OF SCREENSUC Santa Barbara “e Current”https://news.ucsb.edu/2023/020867/screen-time-concerns
When it comes to raising children in the digital age, one of the worst things a parent can do is give their kid a smartphone and hope for the best. Turns out, same goes for the grownups.That shouldn’t come as a big surprise, according to Robin Nabi, a UC Santa Barbara professor of communication who headed up a study of parents to look at how various forms of media use might impact their children’s emotional intelligence.Her research suggested that the emotional intelligence of kids can be adversely impacted by their parents’ smartphone use — that all-too-common scene of a caregiver engaging with a screen with their child nearby seeking attention.Emotional intelligence is a set of mental abilities that allows a person to recognize, understand and manage their emotional states. According to the research, people are born with some level of capacity for emotional intelligence. But it’s also a skill-set that can be learned, practiced and developed, and it varies from person to person, Nabi said.“Some people are very good at detecting emotional nuance in themselves and others while other people are not,” she added. “At a more advanced level, some people are very good at regulating their emotions — such as anxiety or anger — and others are not.”Those skills come in handy because people with more highly developed emotional intelligence tend to have more satisfying personal relationships, greater success in their work lives and generally experience a higher sense of well-being.“We know that how parents express, reect and talk about emotions with children inuences their EI (emotional intelligence) development,” she said. “And we know how easy it is for parents to be absorbed in their own phones, which could limit the interaction and feedback they give to their children. So we thought it would be important to see what role parents’ screen time and phone use around their child might play in their child’s EI development.”The study surveyed 400 parents of children ages 5–12. Among a variety of assessments, parents gauged their children’s level of emotional awareness and control and concern for others. Parents also reported media use, including television, computers, game consoles, tablets and smartphones, and recorded how often their kids engaged in other activities, such as reading, listening to music and outdoor and indoor play.At the same time, the parents reported their own time spent on digital devices in the presence of their children and how often they initiated conversations with their children during media and non-media activities. Of all the measures included, the only one that was associated with lower child emotional intelligence was parental use of cell phones in the presence of their children.“Kids respond to their parents,” Nabi said. “And no matter what type of content a parent may be viewing on their phone, the outward appearance to the child is a lack of responsiveness.”As explained in the paper, parental phone use is associated with “still face,” an expressionless appearance that’s often interpreted as depression, which can further impact a child’s development of emotional skills.“The takeaway is for parents to be more mindful of how often they are using their phones around their children,” she said. “Where their eyes are sends a message to their children about what’s important.”On a positive note, the study also reinforced that age-old advice for parents — stay engaged with your children. In the digital age, that means monitoring and mediating social media content, for example. It also means discussing emotions — those of the parents, the children and even the emotions displayed by the various characters — ctional or otherwise — that children cross paths with during their explorations of media landscapes.Nabi’s research cites a study from 1991 — well before smartphones, or even email, became commonplace — suggesting that “media has the potential to become a vehicle by which parents can encourage the talk that has been documented to enhance childrens’ emotional skills, empathy in particular.”On a personal note, Nabi said she tends to take a holistic approach to media use at home with her family, recognizing how it can be both productive and problematic. There are no phones — or books — allowed during dinnertime. She also engages with her daughter about what she’s watching or reading, as a way to monitor content and to allow space for sharing and discussion.“These phones are tools that we don’t really have great rules for yet,” Nabi added. “They can do wonderful things, such as help us decompress, connect to family, learn and see interesting things about the world. But they can also be problematic depending on how we use them. Finding that balance is the key.” For kids and grownups.“THE TAKEAWAY IS FOR PARENTS TO BE MORE MINDFUL OF HOW OFTEN THEY ARE USING THEIR PHONES AROUND THEIR CHILDREN.”Robin Nabi: A professor in the Department of Communication, Robin Nabi teaches courses in persuasion, communication and emotion, health communication, and mass media eects. Her research interests include emotional sequencing in persuasive messages, the emotional framing of health news, and media use as relates to stress and well-being.
OTIS ACTIVITY PAGE OTIS NEEDS SOME HELP MAKING HIS WAY BACK TO HIS TREE HOUSE. CAN YOU HELP HIM FIND HIS WAY THROUGH THE MAZE? Otis Activity Page Otis Activity Page Otis Needs help making his way back to his tree house. Can you help him?
SUPPORTING PARTNER INDIVIDUAL / COMPANY NAME : CONTACT PERSON: BILLING ADDRESS: CITY: STATE: ZIP CODE: PHONE: EMAIL: □ CREDIT CARD VISA MASTER CARD AMEX DISCOVERCARD NUMBER: EXPIRATION DATE: CVC #: SIGNATURE: DATE: PAYMENT TYPECONTRIBUTION AMOUNT $15,000 $10,000 $5,000 $2,500 $1,500 Other $ □ Invoice Me | Email: □ Cash | Amount:____________________ □ Check | Check #:_____________Amount: __________________ ImagineU Children’s Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-prot organization (Tax ID 33-1005895). Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Our museum relies on the generosity of Supporting Partners to maintain and grow our exhibits, allowing us to continue providing children in our community with opportunities to learn and explore. No matter the size or manner of your contribution, it makes a monumental difference in keeping our programs, events, and new exhibit construction going. Your donation will also help with general business expenses such as museum maintenance, utilities, and community outreach, while also providing local jobs.Becoming an ImagineU Supporting Partner is easy and every bit helps to keep children engaged and their minds active. Thank you for your support!LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY
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