Discovery Playhouse launches Math Happens during Worldwide Day of Play

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — Discovery Playhouse is encouraging families to step away from screens and spend more time learning through play this weekend.

The children’s museum will take part in Worldwide Day of Play on Saturday, Sept. 26, with special activities planned from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Courtney Corbett, executive director of Discovery Playhouse, said the national initiative was started by Nickelodeon to encourage children to get away from devices and become more active.

“Worldwide Day of Play was intended to get children playing and get them away from devices and electronics, which is obviously prevalent today, but everything we do here at Discovery Playhouse really encourages kids to be playing and being active with their families,” Corbett said.

Discovery Playhouse will offer additional activities throughout the morning, including face painting and appearances from local groups and organizations.

Corbett said the goal goes beyond simply giving children something to do. She said play gives children opportunities to use their imaginations, interact with others and learn in ways that may not feel like traditional education.

“It’s a way to really show kids that there are opportunities to really have fun and play and enjoy themselves and use their imaginations,” Corbett said.

The museum will also launch a new program Saturday aimed at helping children see math differently.

Math Happens will begin from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and continue during those hours every Saturday moving forward.

Corbett said Discovery Playhouse was selected to take part in the initiative through the Math Happens Foundation, which works with sites across the country, including children’s museums, to make math more accessible through hands-on experiences.

“It’s definitely a trend nationwide for museums to be that added source of education, and we’d love that here at Discovery Playhouse,” Corbett said. “We want kids to play and have fun, but they are learning while they’re doing that, too.”

During Math Happens, facilitators will work with children and families through activities designed to demonstrate how math is connected to everyday life.

Corbett said programs such as Worldwide Day of Play and Math Happens fit into the museum’s larger mission of giving children a place where education and play can happen at the same time.

“We know that we have a lot of different experiences where kids can expand and learn and have fun too,” Corbett said.

While Worldwide Day of Play is a one-day event, Math Happens will remain part of Discovery Playhouse’s Saturday programming.

“Every Saturday from one to five, we will have Math Happens with facilitators helping kids understand and learn how math is part of their daily lives,” Corbett said.

Corbett said she hopes the weekend also reminds families that Discovery Playhouse can serve as a year-round resource for children and parents in the region.

“Discovery Playhouse, we think, is a great asset to the community and to the area,” Corbett said. “We hope that families consider us for their activities on the weekends or throughout the week.”