“I am thrilled that the Children’s Museum of Manhattan is working on the Eat Sleep Play initiative, and I want to thank you for your commitment to improving the health of our Nation’s children. . .”

—Michelle Obama, Former First Lady of the U.S.

Background

Making sure children eat healthy food, get enough sleep and exercise is one of the biggest struggles facing parents. With obesity rates skyrocketing – and its tremendous impact on healthcare costs – the health and well-being of our children has never been more important. But getting kids to eat healthier foods, turn off the TV, engage in more physical activity, and ensure they get the right amount of sleep can be a challenge.

EatSleepPlay™: A CMOM Health Initiative includes a permanent health exhibit at the Museum. The exhibit is designed to be replicated at smaller museums and community centers. Elements of it can be found at many of the Children’s Museum Health and Learning Hubs. The initiative also includes a new early childhood obesity prevention curriculum; family health programs at the Museum; obesity prevention outreach programs in high-need communities; professional development programs for childcare providers, health professionals and teachers; and evaluation findings that will help inform policy and practice.

The Initiative is guided by an esteemed national committee of medical experts, researchers, health and museum professionals, and community-based educators.

EatSleepPlay™: A CMOM Health Initiative is funded, in part, by the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund; the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal agency; Goldman Sachs Gives; W.K. Kellogg Foundation; the United Way of New York City; the Joan Ganz Cooney Fund at the New York Community Trust; and Amherst Foundation.

 

     

     

EatSleepGrow™ Health Curriculum

As part of the EatSleepPlay™ Health Initiative, the Museum has successfully developed a curriculum, adapted from the NIH We Can! obesity prevention program, to teach educators how to engage the family audience in healthy lifestyle choices. The EatSleepGrow Health Curriculum has been adapted to train educators, administrators, childcare providers and health practitioners in public housing facilities, community-based organizations, Head Start centers, health clinics, libraries, and childcare settings throughout New York City. 

Initiative Research Findings