The Kohl Children's Museum embraces the concept that play is a most powerful learning vehicle for young children. Each exhibit in the Museum is carefully designed to offer children and their accompanying adults a wide variety of playful learning experiences. Play is the most important thing a young child can do. Hand-eye coordination improves as the child handles objects in play. Language expands as a child communicates on increasingly mature levels, beginning with coo and babble games and progressing to such levels as making up stories and telling jokes Social skills grow through play experiences as the child moves from enjoying simple contact with another person to learning to cooperate, take turns, and even to play by the rules.
Cognitive skills advance as a result of problem solving with play materials.
This begins in infancy when the baby makes the startling discovery that his action causes a reaction, such as when a shaken rattle produces a sound. Stimulating play environments facilitate movement to higher levels of thought throughout childhood. Emotional development is fostered through positive play experiences that allow children to feel successful and capable. Sharing positive play experiences forges strong bonds between adult and child from the earliest stages of infancy through childhood. Clearly, children learn many things through play.