The Above and Beyond Children’s Museum in Sheboygan has teamed up with Mental Health America and the YMCA for the Play is Healing campaign.
We spoke with Jackie Erdman, the Executive Director of the museum, who explained that the program stemmed from the trauma children experienced throughout the pandemic. “The program is all about reconnecting to play” Erdman explained. “Reconnecting to that joy and those feelings that come with it, as well as healing from the collective trauma that the pandemic put on all of us.” The program is split into three phases, the first of which is going on right now and focuses on virtual offerings.
Anyone can sign up for these programs by going to www.ABKids.org, or www.MHA.org. The second phase is called “POP-Up in the Parks, and will begin in June, and will be followed by in-person programming at the ABCM and YMCA in August.
An additional way to participate is by picking up Play Is Healing Visitor Experience Kits at Mead Public Library and submitting drawings of what “Think Bigger” means. The artwork will be displayed at both Mead Public Library and ABCM. For more information on the program, or to learn more about the Children’s Museum, visit www.ABKids.org.