Building a Playful Future Through STEAM, Community Engagement, and Fun: A Conversation with Long Island Children's Museum President Erika Floreska

Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning

Join us for an engaging exploration of the Long Island Children's Museum (LICM) as we sit down with its president, Erika Floreska. Erika shares the museum's commitment to creating a hands-on, interactive learning environment that emphasizes inclusivity and community engagement.

Discover how LICM celebrates cultural diversity through vibrant festivals like Lunar New Year, Caribbean and South American Carnival, and Holi, bringing together families from different backgrounds to learn and celebrate together.

Erika also highlights their award-winning community collaborations, including partnerships with local schools for STEM and STEAM learning and the Together to Kindergarten program, which supports immigrant families in preparing for the U.S. education system.

Listen in as we discuss the transformative power of theater and the arts in children's development. We highlight LICM's unique children's theater and its role in fostering empathy, storytelling, and communication skills through affordable, high-quality productions. These shows, thoughtfully aligned with the museum's rotating exhibits, offer an enriching experience for families and schools alike.

We also touch on the importance of visual arts in sparking creativity and imagination, and how these activities are crucial in helping children develop social, emotional, and collaborative skills, especially in a post-pandemic world dominated by screens and social media.

Lastly, we explore the concept of the "play diet" introduced by Dr. Amanda Gummer (see episode 96 of the Adventures in Learning podcast) and its connection to informal education and children's museums. As we discuss the importance of varied play experiences for children's development, you'll discover how LICM provides diverse play opportunities that foster independence and critical thinking, benefiting both children and adults.

Erika shares her unconventional career path, illustrating the value of following one's passion and the non-linear progression of careers as part of your adventures in learning. The episode concludes with a celebration of the joyful, playful learning experiences at LICM, from general visits to special events, all designed to create a vibrant, educational resource for the community.

Links:

• Long Island Children's Museum
• Together to Kindergarten Program Resources
• LICM Theater
• Dr. Amanda Gummer and the Play Pyramid (episode 96 of the Adventures in Learning Podcast)

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