sw = overwhelming over stimulation
i have never had a really fantastic time at Science World and i cringe at the thought of going each time Little A asks to return but he reeeeeally has been wanting to go for a long while now and he is so interested in science and experiments and inquisitive about how things work and so we went and as always i am beyond bafflement. It has so much potential to be a truly rich experience but it’s always such a gong show!! i wonder do parents, teachers and employees of science world consider it a place to let children of all ages let loose? For me, a park or equivalent wide open space is where to roam freely, to run and let loose. Science world on the other hand deserves a bit of respect. i feel that children should be encouraged to slow down and savor the experience bit by bit rather than be allowed to frantically run from one thing to the next, stepping on toes, knocking folk over and PUSHING others out of the way to put themselves first in line!!! The behaviors i witnessed were appalling and my own children were no stellar exception. It’s a difficult environment to be in and the frantic energy is quite impossible to tune out. Even when we would find ourselves a little spot it would only be seconds before someone or a group of 10+ bounded right along, pushing the same buttons or trying to sit on the same seat. At first i tried to communicate gently with the children that we are taking turns and giving each other space and while i found it effective it was exhausting due to the sheer volume of kids. They really did seem open to direction but they were each others leaders and “free for all” was the going message. After a short while i fended only for my own children and only reminded my own children that while others may push and shove it didn’t make it right for us to follow suit and that hopefully in waiting, our turns would soon come. it was disheartening. Am i just too sensitive? Is this kind of experience ok with any of you? How do you all manage to get the best out of these overwhelming public spaces? i want to be able to show my children how to manage themselves in challenging environments but i can’t even find my own peace in it. I aim to go at quieter times but so far it’s never been quiet there. It would be awesome if, like swimming pools and skating rinks, they had times and/or areas designated to specific age groups. I’m all for the whole family experiencing things together but with a 2 and 8 year old there are huge differences in how they experience this sort of venue. In retrospect science world is not an ideal place for the very young and while Little M did seem to really love it i don’t think it was worth the tantrum upon leaving and the lengthy wind down afterwards? I suspect a trip to the park would have been equally exciting and perhaps more enriching for his senses. As for Little A (nearly 8) it’s really hard to become fully engaged in one experience when there are really little ones teetering about in awe of all things bright, flashy and spinning or when there are large groups of unsupervised school aged children budging and taking over. For myself i think i could have a good time there with Little A if we feel like we have all the time in the world and if we take a lunch break outside to absorb some of all we’ve seen before going back in for more. (the photos make it look tame enough but i assure you it was total chaos every other moment and i was hardly able to have my camera out);
Haha! After a tantrum upon leaving the dreaded Science World nearly 5 years ago, I refused to return. We just got a new family membership, and it is definitely a little easier with older kids (mine are 5, nearly 9 and 10) but I never enjoy it. However, we spontaneously decided to go in last Sunday (during the Dragon Boat Festival) an hour before closing and it was so. much. better. Still not a rip-roaring good time for me, but if it works for you, try the 5-6pm hour and see if it’s any better. I wasn’t sure if it’s always like that on a Sunday, or if it was because people might have been avoiding the dragon boat crowds. But it may be worth trying!
Comment by Bonnie — June 23, 2012 @ 1:47 pm
We adore SW and go quite often. I have had to be picky about the times we go. Since we are homeschooling I always thought Mon-Fri would be perfect so that is always why we went then, but it was always hugely busy. Large groups of kids with hardly any supervision who are in a rush rush rush to try every single thing at SW…it’s pretty tiring. We one time went at 2pm, and it’s pretty dead since all the groups leave then. We stayed until closing and had the place to ourselves. We went on a Pro-D day by accident and it was actually really enjoyable. Sure it was busy, but it was filled with families, older siblings, helping out younger ones, tons of supervision and everyone just seemed so much more mellow. Because of this I started going on the weekend. It’s a lot more relaxed.
I think we also look at SW differently then most people. We go often but not for as long. We will go for 2-3 hours, and just be in one room and fully appreciate what is offered in that room.
For instance, we stayed in the toddler room for about 2 hours played in the water, built with blocks and saw one live show on the stage, then headed home.
Comment by Dawn — June 23, 2012 @ 7:49 pm
I think this is the first time I’ve commented on your blog, but I’ve been reading for a long time. Not sure why I waited until the opportunity to complain to actually leave a comment!
There is a children’s museum near our home, and I took my kids there a couple of years ago. It had all the problems you mentioned, and more. We’ve never been back since, and I doubt we will return. I’m always disheartened at these types of places, at least where we live. I’m not sure what the explanation is, but it’s certainly unpleasant.
Comment by Jaimie — June 23, 2012 @ 8:50 pm
It’s so funny, on the other side of the world here in Australia I’ve had the same experience at our own Scienceworks. We’ve only been twice and whilst there are so many amazing things to do, see, touch and experience, the overall experience for the parents is just ghastly. You’re right, some parents just seem to disappear, their children running from one station to the next with little or no courtesy or appreciation of turn taking, general good manners. So many children have looked at me in disbelief when I’ve taken to telling them to wait, no it’s not your turn, as if I’m out of my mind. it’s hard, you expect your own children to be respectful and patient, when so many others aren’t The sad reality is that I often feel my kids miss out because they are constantly having to make concessions for the horrid kids!
Comment by victoria — June 23, 2012 @ 9:13 pm
This September coming we are off to our local science center and observatory, we will be camping too. It’s a fair.
I had forgotten about the bit that’s going to happen during the day with 15 ratty children all trying to turn the wheel at once and the barging and pushing.
I love reading LRC, it really helps me see where to put the calm into my parenting but if I’m honest I think what was missing from your trip was ear plugs and cigarettes.
Thank you for this post. I like to be prepared for our trips out. I’ll remember to pack a couple of sedatives before we leave.
Kind regards Catherine
Comment by CM — June 23, 2012 @ 11:54 pm
Thank you so much for your connecting and sharing.
Dawn, after reading your comment here i realize that we’ve always aimed to go when other children are in school, not considering that school groups would be attending within those hours also…ai. i think you and Bonnie are onto something as far as timing is concerned.
Victoria, it really is a challenging environment for children and adults alike. i can relate to the parents who want (and most likely need) to take the opportunity to tune out while their children are seemingly absorbed and i empathize with the children who are so full of excitement and in great need of direction. Opposite from your experience i found the other children really grateful for my reminders. they all seem so stressed out when it’s supposed to be fun and maybe to have someone calmly remind them that there’s time to take turns was a bit of relief for them but i just couldn’t keep up in that environment. it seems more of a lesson on how to manage oneself in large groups of people than it is about science.
Oh Catherine! thank you for making me laugh. xo.
Comment by admin — June 24, 2012 @ 4:27 am
Bit late to the party - but couldn’t help myself when I saw someone else chime in about our Science works here in Australia. My kids LOVE it but my heart sinks every time they request it - for all the reasons you give. The lack of natural light and monster food on offer don’t help. I save it up for when Grandma is feeling especially indulgent - she’s less of a wilting flower than me. I’m sure it would work better one-on-one with my older boy but those kid-date opportunities come so rarely I never want to squander them on the Scienceworks maelstrom. I don’t know what the answer is - except well-fed, well-rested kids (mine) and Catherine’s sedatives (everyone else). x
Comment by katie — June 24, 2012 @ 5:41 pm
Comment by Vicki — June 24, 2012 @ 10:53 pm
Oh it’s such a relief to know I’m not alone. Here in the uk I’ve taken my 5yr old to the Natural History Museum which is the most amazing incredible place. There’s so much to learn and experience but go be honest it’s like being a cow going through cattle gates being pushed along from one ‘experience’ to the next, it’s SO overwhelming, there is no space to breathe let alone absorb. I’m not sure why some folks go at all- they seem so disinterested, I guess it’s a box to tick in the I’ve been there check list! We took retreat in the rock and mineral room which was empty and amazing. I think when we go back we’ll try and break it down into specific areas- we missed so much. It was exhausting and mentally draining but not in a good way. I hate to be mean but there are too many people! I felt like screaming.x
Comment by Felicity — June 25, 2012 @ 12:53 am
Oh, school field trips are the WORST. I MUCH prefer when places are busy with families, as the ratio of child to adult seems to be so much better, and I honestly think most parents would be horrified to see how their kids were behaving if they saw them on a school trip. There’s just something about the hysteria of being in a huge group of fellow kids with little direction or supervision that makes otherwise considerate kids go crazy!!!! We used to always go in the later afternoon, 3-6 and LOVED how quiet it was then!!!!! But still, I can only take so much of being inside there - I find it gets rather loud, the air feels stale, etc. Good luck finding the ideal time for you guys, it can be an awesome place to hang out in when it’s raining non-stop:-) We also loved hanging out in the Sarah Stern gallery, for a much mellower pace and deeper exploration into the natural world around us - is it still there after the renovations?
Comment by erica — June 25, 2012 @ 8:26 am
I feel the same way! The solution that we have come up with is to go to these places when they first open and/or I ask the people at the admission area what times tend to be the quietest and try to go then, hope that helps! Some places offer early admission for members in our area which also helps this introverted mama to get out there with her littles and avoid the crazy crowds!
Comment by Kate — June 25, 2012 @ 7:52 pm
in the case of Science World i think from what you locals are saying is to go in the afternoon which is opposite of all my previous attempts to go before the crowds in the morning. i’ll give it another go (but not anytime too soon).
Erica - the Sarah Stern gallery was definitely more quiet. i think there was even a sign telling people to slow down and be quieter and there was another sign near the hollow tree trunk indicating that 3 people could fit inside - still, reminders were necessary there too.
Comment by admin — June 26, 2012 @ 1:46 am
We have a few children’s museums like that where I live as well. It amazes me that other parents will stand by watching while their child is shoving another child out of the way to push the button or whatever the activity is on that display. I just direct my own children and redirect them to another display when a “shover” comes around. Arrrgh!
Comment by Erin — June 26, 2012 @ 5:44 am
Ahhh yes, the anxiety provoking science world (for me, anyways - the Vancouver Aquarium does it too). The crowds and unsupervised children send me into parental overdrive. I haven’t taken Jasper to SW yet but Carson loves it and would like to go all the time. I think the later afternoon makes sense but I doubt I will be trying this summer. Summer camps like those trips too!
Thank Little A for the letter, Carson is working on his reply!
xo
Comment by andrea — June 26, 2012 @ 9:51 am
Oh, I’m with you!
And on a completely different note, I received items from you yesterday that I recently purchased - a head scarf and crayon roll. Thank you, they are lovely and will be greatly enjoyed.
Comment by Ange — June 27, 2012 @ 11:50 pm
I completely hear you with this post. We have an almost identical place here in Melbourne called Scienceworks and it evokes the same kind of feelings in me……I thought I was a bit oversensitive or strangely different to all other parents so it is so heartening to find someone else voicing the same thoughts. My two boys both end up so hyped up and exhausted when we leave there that I resist going with every muscle I have. Sadly, I’m finding this kind of over noisy, over stimulating type of environment is popping up in lots of places. Our Zoo is an excellent and generally very well thought out zoo with lots of open spaces, calm environments and gentle sensory experiences. However, they recently renovated and proudly opened a new underwater animal space. Instead of just allowing you to enjoy the view of the seals, sharks and other animals through the glass they also added a large dark space with moving, flashing, ever changing lights. Everytime we go in there it is filled with children running, squealing, yelling and basically spinning in an overstimulated frenzy - it sends my older boy completely loopy. Everyone else seems to be fine watching their children doing this but I can’t bear it so I now avoid that part of the zoo in favour of the beautiful bamboo forest that the boys can explore on their way to see the elephants.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts in this post, now I know I am not alone in my thoughts on this.
Comment by Emily — June 28, 2012 @ 5:55 pm
so with you! xox.
Comment by sharilyn — July 2, 2012 @ 10:38 am
like some above have mentioned, the time of day has a huge impact … that said, when it is the seventh rainy day in a row in february, i just go through it and let it be whatever it will be. my boys are not typically enjoyers of busy, and ironically after the renos, they dislike it now. we all find it very disjointed, and incredibly hard to see your kids!!! i know my friend a had a hard time with other boisterous little girls and her little girl.
it is on the list for afternoons out mostly october to march, otherwise in the drier months we head outdoors. it is also one big drive, so we factor it in more occasionally, but having a home learning life outside of school hours definitely affords flexibility with times to go. like erica said, we love 3-5, and that is just long enough.
hope you’ve recovered
Comment by erin — July 2, 2012 @ 2:33 pm
Like one of the earlier commenters, I read your blog often but haven’t left a comment until now! Your description of your science world experiences are so similar to my own and the sense that that place could be so much more but somehow gets overwhelmed by the chaos. We’ve had two amazing counterpoint experiences - went down to Bellingham for a weekend trip and spent several hours in the children’s museum (part of the whatcom county museum), sharing the space with maybe one or two other families (a fluke? not sure). Similarly, recent trips to the Fraser River Discovery Center in New West have been chaos-free as we’ve had the places to ourselves. Granted, both of these place don’t compare in size/variety of experience and material etc to Science World. And both are a bit of a hike out of town. But not having to deal with crowds of unsupervised kids meant my little ones (20 months and 4.5 years) actually engaged with the material rather than standing and staring wide-eyed at the chaos around them. Wish we could have just one such experience at Science World -it would make the decision to renew our membership a lot easier!
Comment by Neema — July 4, 2012 @ 9:46 pm