PRESS RELEASE

February 1, 2011

MEDIA CONTACT: Casey Kroger, (513) 455-7196 office, (513) 608-5777 mobile, ckroger@cincymuseum.org

Cincinnati Museum Center is your place for Learning Through Play on March 19
Third annual event includes expert presenters, free information fair and professional contact hours for educators

CINCINNATI – When children sing, dance and play they’re doing so much more than having a good time; they’re also learning. As a parent or educator, you’re committed to the education and development of children, just like us at Cincinnati Museum Center. As the premier location in Cincinnati for learning through play, we’re happy to announce this year’s Learning Through Play event will take place on Saturday, March 19.

Focusing on children in kindergarten and younger, this unique, one-day event explores how you can use play as both a parent and professional to get the most from your interactions with children. Choose from more than 20 sessions with knowledgeable presenters such as Happen, Inc., Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Cincinnati Museum Center. Participate in a free forum on Facilitating Language and Literacy in Preschool-Aged Children given by the Hearing Speech & Deaf Center of Greater Cincinnati. Before you go, browse, talk and learn with local organizations devoted to educating and supporting young learners and families at the free information fair.

Families - Bring your little ones to Family Interactive Sessions and learn together. Discover how to get the most from story time, explore the magic of light and shadows with puppets, learn the benefits of signing with your child and more.

Educators – Earn professional contact hours by attending Adult-Only Sessions including: Teaching Through Art, Developmental Red Flags, Interactive Books and Charts, and Teaching Kids Healthy Habits in the Classroom. The forum and all sessions are approved for Ohio Step Up to Quality hours and by Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Parents – Join us for Adult-Only Sessions and you’ll walk away with great tips on how to create science experiments that don’t break the budget without blowing up your kitchen, raise kids to be self-disciplined, and how to help your child become a successful reader. You’re also invited on a guided tour of Duke Energy Children’s Museum to identify what skills are developed and what your children are learning when they play.

Register today! Family Interactive and Adult-Only sessions range from $10 – 25 and parking is $6 per vehicle. Attend one session, or stay for the whole day! Discounted rates are available for early bird registrants until March 15. Pre-ordered lunches and discounted museum tickets are also available. Stay until 5 p.m. and put all your new learning through play tips into action.

Visit www.cincymuseum.org/learningthroughplay or call (513) 287-7000 ext. 7205 for more information or to register.

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About Cincinnati Museum Center
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal is a nationally recognized institution dedicated to sparking community dialogue, insight and inspiration. As one of the top cultural attractions in the Midwest, Cincinnati Museum Center has served as an educational, research and entertainment resource to millions of visitors from around the world. Organizations within Museum Center include the Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children's Museum, the Museum of Natural History & Science, the Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX® Theater, and the Cincinnati Historical Society Library. These organizations combine to serve more than one million visitors annually, reaching out to nearly 400,000 young people through hands-on exhibits and programs. Originally built in 1933 as a train station, Union Terminal stands as one of the last remaining grand-scale Art Deco style railroad terminals. The building is a National Historic Landmark and was renovated and reopened as Cincinnati Museum Center in 1990. For information, call 1-800-733-2077 or visit cincymuseum.org. Cincinnati Museum Center gratefully acknowledges operating and capital support from the taxpayers of Hamilton County and the State of Ohio.