With the goal of creating a dynamic, immersive, educational and fun interactive experience for children to explore the importance of health and wellness, Miami Children’s Museum (MCM) will open its newest permanent exhibit gallery on Saturday, February 20, 2016. Baptist Health South Florida has committed to support the educational health and wellness programming at the museum. The gallery will help teach young visitors and their parents the importance of leading a healthy and active lifestyle. More than one-third of American children and adolescents are reported as being overweight (Center for Disease Control) and less than one-third of students meet the daily recommended levels of exercise and consumption of vegetables, fruits and whole grains (U.S. Department of Education).
The new 2,000-square foot interactive Baptist Children’s Hospital Health and Wellness Center gallery provides a unique experience of self-discovery and growth for the whole family. The gallery, consisting of more than a dozen exhibits, mirrors the shift in healthcare to focus on preventive health, nutrition and wellness. With exercise stations, food facts, sports interactives and more, the gallery will help children, with their parent’s guidance, lead more healthy lifestyles.
“We need to develop young bodies as well as young minds, so they grow into strong and healthy individuals,” states Deborah Spiegelman, chief executive officer/executive director of Miami Children’s Museum. “This new gallery is an important step in ensuring future generations develop a healthy lifestyle at a young age.”
Developed in conjunction with Baptist Health South Florida, the gallery aims to build a foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits. A variety of different exhibits challenge children to engage in a series of activities on child-appropriate fitness-trail style equipment that test the body as a whole, as well as engage them in making healthy food choices that fuel the body.
“Baptist Children’s Hospital is honored to be a partner with Miami Children’s Museum in promoting healthy lifestyles for everyone in the community and especially our future generations,” said Randy Lee, chief operating officer, Baptist Hospital of Miami and vice president, Baptist Children’s Hospital. “We are passionate about creating a healthier community, one child at a time.”
The Baptist Children’s Hospital Health and Wellness Center gives children the opportunity to try a variety of virtual sports to expose them to a range of fitness activities that are both fun and healthy. Exhibits include: Flex Your Muscles stations work different muscle groups; Food Is Fuel interactive learning station; Standing Long Jump and Vertical High Jump stations; an Obstacle Course that tests agility, coordination and balance; Gear Up interactive station which introduces children to the different types of equipment used by South Florida professional sports teams and many more. The exhibit also features special areas and stations perfect for toddlers.
Don’t miss the Baptist Children’s Hospital Health and Wellness Center exhibit opening Saturday, February 20th at Miami Children’s Museum, 980 MacArthur Causeway on Watson Island in Miami. Admission is $18 for adults and children, $14 for Florida Residents, free for children under 1 year and admission for MCM Members is complimentary. For more information, please contact the Museum at 305.373.KIDS (5437) or visit www.miamichildrensmuseum.org.