Bronx Children’s Museum Hosts 'Prescription to Play' Family Day

Celebrating Community, Health, and Fun at the Bronx Children’s Museum

Bronx, NY – The Bronx Children’s Museum successfully hosted a special Family Day event on July 17, 2024. Themed "Prescription to Play," this event emphasized the importance of healthy, active lifestyles through play and community engagement. The event was free and open to Montefiore Einstein associates and their families, offering a unique opportunity for fun and learning.

This event aimed to highlight the numerous health benefits of play including stress relief, mental stimulation, and improved social skills, as well as play's vital role in fostering wellness and nurturing community connections through interactive experiences. This event, which included associates from Montefiore Einstein and their families highlighted the importance of community health and the impact of play on family well-being. By creating an environment where children and their caregivers can interact through fun and educational activities, the Bronx Children’s Museum fosters stronger family connections and encourages a healthy, active lifestyle.

The Family Day event marked the inaugural "Walk with M.E. (Montefiore Einstein)" Parade, led by Montefiore Einstein associates. This parade is set to become a cherished tradition at the museum. Moving forward, each day will conclude with the "Walk with M.E." parade, where children will march around the museum playing maracas, drums, shakers, and other instruments. 

This daily ritual aims to foster community spirit, encourage active participation, and provide a finale to the museum experience for children and their families. The parade's successful debut during Family Day sets the stage for this engaging, interactive closure to become a hallmark of every visit to the Bronx Children's Museum. 

The Family Day event also featured the unveiling of the Montefiore Einstein Mile (Montefiore Mile) within the museum, a pathway denoted by markers to encourage movement and play, emphasizing that wellness is about both physical activity and mental engagement. This initiative embodies Montefiore Einstein's commitment to meeting people where they are, connecting with community members about the importance of healthy living. By integrating physical exercise into a family-friendly setting, the Montefiore Mile offers an interactive and enjoyable way for visitors to prioritize their health during museum visits.

Children enjoyed activities throughout the event including an "Animal Encounter" with Museum Program Coordinator Lexi Rogers. 

Attendees participated in story times, animal encounters, and interactive art projects as Montefiore Einstein staff helped select and read stories and assisted with art activities. 

Denise Rosario Adusei, Executive Director of the Bronx Children’s Museum, added, "Our partnership with Montefiore Einstein is a testament to our shared commitment to the Bronx community. By providing spaces where caregivers and children can bond through play, we are building a foundation for healthier, happier families."

Montefiore Einstein's Senior Vice President, Community Affairs, Marco Crespo; Bronx Children's Museum's Executive Director, Denise Rosario Adusei with Melissa Cebollero, Associate Vice President of Community Affairs and Dr. Michael Cabana, MD, MPH, Physician-in-Chief, Children’s Hospital, Montefiore Einstein.

"The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Einstein is proud to partner with The Bronx Children's Museum in encouraging movement and health through play as part of more than 130-year commitment to this community,” said Michael D. Cabana, MD, MPH, The Michael I. Cohen, M.D., University Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Physician-in-Chief, The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM). “Events like 'Prescription to Play' Family Day demonstrate our dedication to fostering wellness beyond the bedside. By engaging families in fun, educational settings, we're helping to nurture the physical, social, and emotional well-being for a healthier Bronx."  

A healthy lunch was provided by Montefiore Einstein catering services, ensuring a delicious and health-oriented dining experience.