Miami Children’s Museum announces the reopening of the newly renovated Five Millers Family Foundation Gallery: South Florida and Me.
The beautifully redesigned exhibit also features the exciting Ethel and Harry Reckson Foundation, Michael Spritzer and Marjorie Baron Snoezelen Room, specifically designed to meet the needs of children with autism spectrum disorder. The South Florida and Me Gallery reopened on Wednesday, Mar. 28.
The huge bow of the fishing ship still will highlight the newly renovated gallery, but so much more has now been added. The ship will have new equipment to fish with, whale watching projections, a sea turtle diorama, Octo-pipe and Manta Ray xylophone musical stations with rain wheel, beach area with sand table and a new Everglades area.
The area includes an alligator light table, lady bug hug, large nest play area with eggs, and a wooden walkway with nature sounds from the river of grass.
The most exciting and special addition to South Florida and Me Gallery is the Snoezelen Room. Opening just in time for Autism Awareness Month, the room is a multi-sensory experience with incredible visuals presented in a reduced and comfortable lighting setting and is based on and was designed in collaboration with Beit Issie Shapiro, the global leader of research into Snoezelen therapy.
Snoezelen Multi-Sensory Environments are relaxing spaces that help reduce agitation and anxiety, but also engage and delight the user, stimulate reactions and encourage communication. This space has been created specifically for children with autism, sensory processing disorders, global developmental delays and other special needs to enjoy with their families.
The newly restored Five Millers Family Foundation Gallery: South Florida and Me, featuring the exciting Ethel and Harry Reckson Foundation, Michael Spritzer and Marjorie Baron Snoezelen Room, opened Wednesday, Mar. 28, at Miami Children’s Museum, 980 Macarthur Causeway on Watson Island in Miami.
Entrance to the exhibit is included with regular museum admission which is $20 for adults and children, $15 for Florida residents, free for children under 1 year, and admission for MCM members is complimentary. For more information, contact the museum at 305-373-KIDS (5437) or visit www.miamichildrensmuseum.org.
