Gregoire proclaims June �Children�s Museum Month� in Washington

For Immediate Release: June 6, 2008

OLYMPIA � Emphasizing the importance of play in healthy child development, Gov. Chris Gregoire has proclaimed June as Children�s Museum Month in Washington.

�Children are more likely to develop a lifelong love of learning if they know learning can be fun,� Gregoire said. �This is part of the reason I created the Department of Early Learning in 2006, and it�s why I�ve proclaimed June as Children�s Museum Month in Washington.�

�Play is a universal experience, and it is something that should be readily available to children whether they live in Ellensburg, Olympia, Walla Walla or Bellingham,� said Department of Early Learning (DEL) Director Jone Bosworth. �With summer coming, we want to be sure all Washington families are able to find fun, free activities in their communities.�

In April, DEL announced a partnership with 13 children�s museums around the state. Each museum received about $20,000 to open the doors to children�s museums to more Washington families. Many of the museums are using the funding to host free admission days or evenings when families can play at the museums free of charge. Transportation is provided to many of the events.

The Children�s Museum of Tacoma and the Hands On Children�s Museum in Olympia both are hosting free activities on Friday, June 6, using DEL funds.

The Washington State Department of Early Learning was created in 2006 to bring heightened visibility and focus to early learning and help all Washington children reach their full potential. For more information, visit the DEL Web site at http://www.del.wa.gov.

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