WELCOME

At the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, our goal is to empower children and families. As a discovery museum, it is our goal to meet every person who visits at their level and have them leave feeling more curious, confident and questioning, “What else is there for me to know?”

We believe that parents are incredible facilitators of learning. As a parent or caregiver, you are your child’s first teacher. You are the one who introduces your child to the world, sets boundaries, guides learning, instills confidence and curiosity. Your words and actions are a powerful model on how to express emotion, communicate with others, empathize, solve problems and strike a life balance. 

For children, everything is a learning experience! Children learn from the people around them. They learn as they play with others. They learn from what they hear and see from you. You are the role model from which they build themselves from. 

The Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum is designed specifically to help you help your child learn and grow. Each of our exhibits and educational programs build upon tested child development principles to support learning.

TECHNOLOGY AND MEDIA AT MHDM

MHDM exhibits and gallery spaces are 100% screen free.

Research proves that children learn best by engaging with real live people, and that they also learn by moving and doing. With this in mind, we intentionally develop our exhibits to be age-appropriately tactile and interactive without added media.

Extensive research shows that “screen time” detracts from children using their communication skills. Without practicing their face-to-face interactions, children lose the ability to evaluate emotions as well.

Studies focusing on parent phone overuse point to detrimental impacts on social, emotional and behavioral development in young children.

When visiting MHDM, we ask that you use your phone only to capture photos/videos that document important moments with your child. Please DO NOT “check out” on your phone. Send the message to your child that nothing is more important than your child and the time you spend together.

We invite you to play, and be a fully invested partner in your child’s playing and learning. After you explore the Museum with your child, we hope your feel empowered to engage in continued learning at home.

RESOURCES

Parents’ Smartphone Use Can Affect Kids’ Behavior: Little ones can feel snubbed by the devices and consequently act out
How Do Our Phones Affect Our Parenting?
Is Using Your Phone Affecting Your Child and Family Life?