News & Resources

Many in South Florida and around the world are facing a difficult time due to recent horrific events.  Our hearts are with the community of Surfside and all of those impacted by the incident.

As adults, witnessing something this traumatic, either in person or via the news is difficult to deal with, but a child can have a more difficult time processing and understanding, let alone, comprehending such a situation.

While Psychologists recommend that we limit children’s exposure to the news and media when big tragic events happen, we at Miami Children’s Museum have found that picture story books can be a great segue for parents to begin conversations with their children.

Miami Children’s Museum has posted on their website and social channels a reading of “A Terrible Thing Happened” by Margaret M Holmes (https://youtu.be/WJtNmNatrTc). The story time can help children know that their feelings, questions and concerns are ok.

Additionally, Miami Children’s Museum has compiled other children’s books and a number of links that we hope will be helpful for families during this difficult time.

• “Breathing Makes It Better: A Book for Sad Days, Mad Days, Glad Days, and All the Feelings In-Between” by Christopher Willard and Wendy O’Leary
• “Once I Was Very Very Scared” By Chandra Chosh Ippen and Erich Peter Ippen Jr.
• “Jenny is Scared: When Sad Things Happen in the World” by Carol Shuman and Cary Pillo
• Tips to help children cope with trauma and grief: https://childmind.org/topics/concerns/trauma-and-grief/
• Explaining dramatic & disturbing news events to our kids: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/explaining-the-news-to-our-kids?fbclid=IwAR1qTRSotbbnn9_hBJrB9wGIwYFtxShW_5zpCA1QKTUDKsCSvae51vudH0c
• FEMA & American Red Cross – Helping Children Cope with Disaster: https://rdcrss.org/35RivyZ
• Florida Blue Grief Counseling Helpline (bilingual emotional support): 833-848-1762
• Disaster relief and recovery support: https://www.redcross.org/

Among the ways to access the story time and other resources are:

Website:       miamichildrensmuseum.org/museum-at-home

Facebook:     facebook.com/miami.childrens.museum

Instagram:    @miamichildrensmuseum

Twitter:        @MiChiMu

YouTube:      Miami Children’s Museum

Miami Children’s Museum is now open 7 days a week.  Admission to the Museum will be offered in two-hour play sessions (10AM – 12PM, 1PM – 3PM, 4PM – 6PM) and advance ticket purchase is required through the Museum’s website miamichildrensmuseum.org.  Miami Children’s Museum is providing free admission to the families directly affected by the tragedy, scholarships may be secured by emailing myrna@miamichildrensmuseum.org.  Masks are required at all times for adults and children ages 2 and older.  The Museum is located at 980 MacArthur Causeway on Watson Island in Miami.

About Miami Children’s Museum

Founded in 1983, Miami Children’s Museum is dedicated to enriching the lives of all children by fostering a love of learning through play and enabling children to realize their highest potential.  Visitors of all ages are encouraged to play, learn, imagine and create.  The 56,500-square-foot facility includes 17 galleries, classrooms, a 200-seat auditorium and outdoor exhibits, including two playgrounds.  The Museum offers hundreds of bilingual, interactive exhibits; programs and classes, including special needs classes; Subway restaurant; a Kid Smart educational gift shop and learning materials related to arts, culture, community and communication.  To learn more about the museum, please visit www.miamichildrensmuseum.org.

Miami Children’s Museum receives both private and public funding.  The Museum is sponsored in part by the Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, The Florida Council on Arts and Culture and the State of Florida; with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; and the City of Miami.