CHILDREN'S MUSEUM WELCOMES TODDLERS WITH BABY BAYOU

The Children’s Museum in downtown Monroe uses striking colors and shapes to draw attention. The purple building with the bright red and yellow squares and circles draws the eye of anyone who passes by.

Even the youngest children can distinguish the museum from the drab brown and gray brick buildings of downtown Monroe.
 
Inside, the museum is filled with interactive exhibits that teach children about a variety of subjects from weather to biology. While the primary exhibits are fun for visitors of all ages, the museum has a dedicated area for younger children who may not be able to fully engage with some of the larger exhibits.
 
Sponsored by the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana, this space, called “Baby Bayou,” was paid for using donations from local businesses through a special tax credit called School Readiness Tax Credits (SRTC).

This program offers local businesses a dollar-for-dollar state tax refund up to $5000 when they donate to Louisiana Child Care Resource and Referral agencies, such as the Children’s Coalition.

Those donations are then directed toward educational resources for children 5 years old and under to help prepare them for kindergarten.
 
This gated area is filled with toys and interactive features for children 3 years old or younger. With safe, educational toys that stimulate the 5 senses, parents can bring their babies and toddlers to enjoy a fun-filled day in a secure environment.

The enclosed area allows parents to watch their children, without the risk of an exciting exhibit sending their child sprinting off in curiosity.
 
The small space also fosters interaction and communication between the children, giving younger children a chance to be around other kids their age. Facts about children’s brain development and learning dot the walls around the Bayou.

One fact describes how play is more beneficial to a baby’s growth than educational videos or flashcards. Another explains how playing and talking helps children develop emotional communication skills.
 
One of the facts that stands out most is also one of the simplest: “85% of brain development happens by age 3.” At younger ages, children can absorb massive amounts of information very quickly—the average child knows 14,000 words by the time they turn 5 years old.
 
Keeping your baby occupied with interactive play will help them learn thinking and communication skills.

​ So, for parents who want to give their younger children opportunities for interactive learning and social activity, look no further than the Children’s Museum’s new Baby Bayou, sponsored by the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana!

READ MORE