Kohl Children's Museum To Open Permanent 'Roots Of Kindness' Exhibit

GLENVIEW, IL — Kohl Children's Museum will open a new permanent exhibit Oct. 27 designed to help young children explore gratitude, respect and empathy through play, storytelling and interactive activities.

"The Roots of Kindness" is geared toward children ages 2 to 8 and their caregivers and is intended to make conversations about character development more approachable and age-appropriate.

The exhibit focuses on small, everyday actions that can help build stronger relationships and respectful communities. Children will be able to practice listening, taking turns, expressing appreciation, recognizing emotions, considering other viewpoints and working together.

"Parents want meaningful ways to help their children develop qualities like gratitude, respect and generosity, but knowing where to start can sometimes be challenging," Stephanie Bynum, the museum's vice president of programs, said. "'The Roots of Kindness' gives families a place to explore these ideas together through play, storytelling and conversation."

A Fairytale-Inspired Setting

The exhibit is designed to resemble a nature-themed fairytale pop-up book, centered around a large tree and surrounded by several interactive areas.

At the Kindness Corner, families can take part in storytelling and theater activities or read books from different cultures focused on gratitude and respect.

The Traits Trail will invite children to highlight positive qualities and kind actions of someone important to them, while the Expressive Field will focus on recognizing and expressing emotions.

The Respectful Cave will give children opportunities to explore everyday social situations and practice empathy.

Kohl Children's Museum developed the exhibit with input from specialists in character development, culture and early childhood education, including Arthur Schwartz of Character.org, early childhood consultant Angela Searcy and Peter Smagorinsky, professor emeritus at the University of Georgia.

"This is our first exhibit to address character traits directly, in a way that’s hands-on, fun and transformative," museum President and CEO Mike Delfini said.

Part Of Larger Chicago-Area Project

"The Roots of Kindness" is the largest of three Chicago-area exhibits that comprise the Developing Respectful Citizens in a Diverse Country project, funded by Lilly Endowment.

Related exhibits are also planned at the Korean Cultural Center of Chicago and Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum.

The three organizations are working together to show families how different cultures teach concepts such as gratitude and respect to young children.

The exhibit will be included with regular museum admission and will remain permanently at Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd.

More information is available at kohlchildrensmuseum.org.