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New York 1 – Comic Book-Inspired Exhibit Encourages Early Learning and Full Fun for Children
02/21/2020
BY ROGER CLARK | MANHATTAN
A head first slide down from a two-story treehouse is not a bad way for these kids to spend a winter day indoors playing and learning.
“This is an awesome place and this is really fun,” said Aaron Chemtob, Museum Visitor.
It’s the new exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan called Super-powered Metropolis, Early Learning City. It takes up the entire lower level of this popular destination for families. The guides for kids and parents through this comic book inspired version of the city is three pigeons named Zip, Zap and Zoom.
“When you see them they are like the little Clark Kents, ooh, what superpowers are in them?” said Lizzy Martin, Director of Exhibits, Children’s Museum of Manhattan.
Really, they have learning superpowers, called Executive Function, self-control, working memory, and mental flexibility core learning skills for children ages zero to six.
“If those skills are developing at such an early age, it’s kind of like how cool, if you give them those skills early on, by 0-5, then they can control their learning from there on,” said Martin.
There’s a definite New York feel to the exhibit, a train table is a map of the city. There’s music, a whimsical wind blowing fountain. Mom Ally Chemtob visited with her three children.
“Something interactive that’s fun for them, educational, hands on, I learned something too, it’s fun,” said Ally Chemtob, Parent.
“What is the best thing you did since you have been here? I saw you driving before,” Roger asked.
“The truck,” said Sienna Chemtob, Museum Visitor.
Museum Director of Exhibitions and Curator Lizzy Martin says Super-powered Metropolis was designed with a diverse team of brain scientists, early learning specialists and illustrators. It’s a bit of an experiment for them here.
“It’s definitely early brain research. And bringing that to children and families in a fun way is something we wanted to try,” said Martin.
If you’re ready to come and hang out with Zip, Zap and Zoom, the museum is located on West 83rd Street between Broadway and Amsterdam. To find out more, just head to CMOM.org.
PUBLISHED 12:22 PM ET FEB. 21, 2020