Very Eric Carle: A Very Hungry, Quiet, Lonely, Clumsy, Busy Exhibit

We visited Discovery Cube OC's latest exhibit and not only is it nurotypical friendly but extremely autism friendly as well. Step into the pages of Eric Carle’s colorful picture books in this VERY hands on area of the museum now through May 14th. Become apart of the classic “Very” series with five special insects while they take on their own journeys of discovery and encouraging your child to go along with them. With hands on crafts, activities and interactive displays, learn about Eric Carle’s’ love of nature, his respect for the emotional lives of children, and his recurring themes of friendship, creativity, and the power of imagination.

Play based learning at it's best! Your children will love this new exhibit and it has something for both boys and girls creating numerous opportunities to engage in teamwork, fine motor skills, sequencing, problem solving and so much more. Stories included within the exhibit are meant to teach hope, work, love, belonging and persistence creating the ability to continue your child's learning and generalization at home and beyond. Read a few of the below mentioned books first if you can before visiting so your children can easily relate and feel a sense of connection and maybe pick a favorite bug they will look forward to seeing.  

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar is about hope. You, like the little caterpillar, will grow up, unfold your wings, and fly off into the future.
• The Very Busy Spider is about work. We need to work and finish our tasks despite our many distractions.
• The Very Quiet Cricket is about love. Crickets and people alike go in search of a suitable mate.
• The Very Lonely Firefly is about belonging. We all want to belong to a group, a family, and our own fellow creatures.
• The Very Clumsy Click Beetle is about persistence. Each of us faces some obstacles in life, but we need to try and try again until we overcome the challenges.

Encourage your children to explore the Interactive exhibit activities and join in and model if necessary:

• Creating your own butterfly using light and color through shadow play
• Test your dexterity, strength and flexibility as you step through a giant, web-like structure
• Compose a night symphony
• Spin your own web on a large weaving wall
• Test your balance as you rummage across a pile of pebbles
• Crawl through tall blades of grass and get a bugs eye view of the world

Vibrant illustrations and colorful picture book displays throughout the exhibit inspire your child's curiosity while prompting questions and conversations. As they participate in the many interactive activities such as creating butterflies, composing symphonies and spinning a web on a weaving wall it gives them the opportunities to work on fine motor skills and sequencing and over all planning. 

Help build confidence in your kid by praising them as they step through a giant web structures, rummage atop a pile of pebbles testing their balance and crawling though the tall blades of grass. These activities help promote confidence, turn taking and self awareness as well as sensory stimulation. 

Very Eric Carle is targets children 2 to 8 years of age and their families. For children on the autism spectrum I would push the age even higher as our girls are nine and ten and they fully enjoy the exhibit as well as the entire museum. TIP:  If loud noises are an issue for your autistic child, bring noise cancelling headphones, the room's lighting is dim and there is plenty of space at each exhibit for several children at once so turn taking is a very minimal wait. 

Discovery Cubes mission: Discovery Cube inspires and educates young minds through engaging science-based programs and exhibits to create a meaningful impact on the communities they serve. Their mission is brought to life through the cornerstones of their four core initiatives, including: STEM Proficiency, Early Learning, Healthy Living and Environmental Stewardship. This exhibit represents their evolving commitment to expand STEM proficiency by keeping up with the trends, events and news that are capturing kids’ attention – and creating an entertaining way to approach education through a day of family bonding.

Discovery Cube Orange County
2500 N. Main Street
Santa Ana, CA  92705

For more on this exhibit and the others currently offered at Discovery Cube OC click on the link below