For Immediate Release - May 20, 2008
Contact:
Rich Bailey, (423) 580-2479 or
Carla Campbell, (423) 648-6054
New Permanent Exhibit called Corner Clinic, Opening May 31,
Makes Doctor Visits Less Mysterious for Children
Do you want to check out a sphygmomanometer? Feel like treating some patients? Want to get up close and personal with a skeleton? Children and families can do all that and more when Creative Discovery Museum opens the Corner Clinic on Saturday, May 31.
A media preview of the new exhibit will be held on Friday, May 30 from noon to 1 p.m.
Corner Clinic is the Museum's newest permanent exhibit, where children can learn about all the fascinating things they can find in a doctor's office. Children can look at x-rays, use a stethoscope, bandage “patients,” look at slides under a microscope and even examine a skeleton! The resident skeleton is the newest and thinnest member of the Museum family.
"The more familiar a child is with the doctor's office, the more comfortable they will be. That is the philosophy behind the Corner Clinic," said Jayne Griffin, Education Director for Creative Discovery Museum. "The doctor's office can be a scary place for children. By allowing children to play and explore in a fun and inviting clinic environment, we hope to make the experience of a real doctor's visit less mysterious and intimidating."
Corner Clinic was made possible by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society Alliance, which helped design the exhibit and provided major financial support.
"This exhibit fits perfectly with our mission, which is to improve the overall health of the community," said Alliance president Jayne Brzezienski. "Helping children feel more comfortable at the doctor's office should help take the tension out of going to the doctor and help families keep their children healthy."
Through play with models, costumes and a fully articulated skeleton, children will also have a better understanding of their bodies and why visits to the doctor are necessary. In the Museum's resource center parents can find information about appropriate health care for children. Mrs. Griffin suggested some activities for families at the Corner Clinic:
- Have children act out their last or next visit to the doctor.
- Examine the models with your children and have them point to where they would find the organ in their body.
- Be the patient -- tell the "doctor" how you are feeling and let him or her "fix" you.
Clifford! The Museum's newest temporary exhibit ADVENTURES WITH CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG! continues through Sept. 28. Inspired by Scholastic Entertainment’s top-rated TV show on PBS Kids, this exhibit offers numerous immersive “paws-on” adventures that reinforce “Clifford’s Big Ideas”—ten simple tangible life lessons designed to help young children navigate their world: Share, Play Fair, Have Respect, Work Together, Be Responsible, Be Truthful, Be Kind, Believe in Yourself, Be a Good Friend and Help Others. Board the Birdwell Island Ferry and journey to the World of Clifford™. Sponsored locally by Little Debbie Snacks, Capital Toyota, Toyota of Cleveland, Regions Bank and WTCI.
Hours. On May 31, Creative Discovery Museum is open from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. These are the Museum's regular summer hours: Monday through Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday: noon - 5 p.m.
Special Extended Summer Hours Begin June 21. Beginning Saturday, June 21 the Museum will be open every day (Monday through Sunday) from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Regular hours will resume on Monday, August 11.
Tickets are $8.95 for children and adults. Creative Discovery Museum is located at 321 Chestnut Street in downtown Chattanooga. For more information, call (423) 756-2738, or visit www.cdmfun.org.
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