Category: Children and adolescent development and health

A Visit to Wow! Children’s Museum

I talk about my visit to WOW! Children’s Museum dedicated to engaging children and families in creative learning experiences. This bright, colorful interactive museum is in Lafayette, Colorado, near Denver .

“We specialize in highly interactive programs for small groups that give each child an opportunity to explore art, science, and culture.”

updated November 12, 2025

I’ve cover some heavy topics here, but this post is lighter, something fun.

On a visit to my son’s home in Colorado, we had fun exploring a children’s museum.

If you live near or visit the area, I recommend it for young kids- and their parents and grandparents, too.

WOW! World of Wonder Children’s Museum

The fun starts even before you go inside; look what greeted us on the outside wall- a carrot garden with a bunny, robin, and mice.

  • a white rabbit painted on a brick wall
  • a red and black bird painted on a brick building
  • 2 mice eating carrots in a garden-painted on a brick wall

“We specialize in highly interactive programs for small groups that give each child an opportunity to explore art, science, and culture. “

SIGN-WOW!WORLD OF WONDER CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
entering the WOW WORLD OF WONDER CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Lafayette, Colorado

WOW, WORLD OF HEALTH

Of course, my favorite part was the Kids Clinic, sponsored by the Children’s Hospital of Colorado . Signs describing the various rooms and activities are written in English and Spanish.

“How tall are you?”

Exhibits to show kids the bones and other body parts.

Even some real xrays-with fractures!

Visit WOW! Children’s Museum

WOW! Children’s Museum is dedicated to engaging children and families in creative learning experiences. This bright, colorful, interactive museum is in Lafayette, Colorado, near Denver.

My grandson and I are exploring movement.

WOW! plays a critical role in our community by providing informal play experiences in a safe and educational environment.

We offer a variety of program formats to meet the diverse needs of our community – from drop-in programs for children as young as 2 years old to outreach programs at local schools.

Within our Museum walls, children explore exhibits about a variety of subjects, including STREAM, art, music, dance, theater and practical life.

We connect children to caregivers, families to families, and people to the place we live. By working with local musicians, artists, educators, and storytellers, we’re connecting children with the rich resources available in our community, and helping teach them about their world.

WOW!’s mission is to serve the entire community by providing a quality Museum experience for children and families of all backgrounds and abilities.
a play workbench for kids with miniature tools-kids interactive museum
“What will you build? at this workbench, complete with tools.

Our Sensory Friendly Playtime is designed especially for children with autism or sensory processing disorders and their families. The Museum turns down sounds and lights on exhibits, provides special adaptive equipment like weighted vests and headphones, and has an occupational therapist at the event as a resource for families.”

Mom, Dad, and their son are creating a design with colored cylinder pegs.

I’ve enjoyed sharing some of the fun I had with my grandchild and his parents on a much-anticipated visit. We had planned a trip several months ago, but it was cancelled due to COVID.

Thank God they all recovered; his parents were vaccinated but he was not. We are thankful that the vaccine is now approved for kids his age.

Post Images

I took all of the photos in this post. The captions are quotes from the museum’s website. This is not a sponsored post.

a balloon suspended in the air

Dr Aletha

Your Museum Memories

When was the last time you visited a museum? What did you enjoy about it? What did you learn? What was the worst part?

Maybe it’s time to visit a museum again. There are so many options as far as subject, location, cost, time, and formats. You can even visit some museums online.

Visiting a museum with an objective in mind may help you get more from it. On the other hand, going without preconceived ideas may reveal surprises and unexpected benefits.

The National Endowment for the Humanities gives these suggestions for

How to Visit a Museum

Exploring the HEART of health, fun, and learning

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha

Exploring the HEART of Grandparenting

This post discusses the significance of grandparenting and the impact it has on children’s well-being. In an interview, Dr. Aletha shared her ir experiences and insights as a grandparent, highlighting the role grandparents play in creating lasting memories and passing on traditions. Practical advice on caring for grandchildren is also provided, emphasizing safety and health.

updated September 2, 2024

Early in my blogging, I was grilled. Grilled as in “intense questioning or interrogation.”

And that’s not a bad thing, it was all in fun and I’m sharing it with you here. It’s about being a grandparent which we celebrate the second Sunday in September every year.

Grandma’s Briefs

Lisa Carpenter writes a blog called Grandma’s Briefs where she

shares my snippets, er, briefs on the good, bad, humorous, and heartwarming of being a grandmother, baby boomer, parent to adult children, wife, and writer.

One of the features on her blog is Grilled Grandmas, where she interviews other women who are both bloggers and grandmothers. Her blog challenges the stereotype of rocking chair grandmothers way past their prime in life.

a woman with her arms around 2 little girls on each side
Establishing a bond with grandparents is great for kids in many ways.
photo from Lightstock.com

Why talk about grandparenting?

Why would I talk about grandparenting on a medical blog? Health professionals consider the family a vital factor in health, both positive and negative. You probably know that family medical history contributes to physical health, but family interactions also play an important role in child development, learning, and emotional health.

Grandparents can play an important role in the lives of their grandchildren. In some families, they are the caregivers; in others, they help make lasting memories through special visits.

Grandparents pass on family traditions and give children the fundamental sense that they are loved and valued.

Research has shown that when grandparents are involved with their grandchildren, even from a distance, all the generations are often much happier.

Building Bonds with Your Grandchildren

My grilling

When Lisa “grilled” me, I had two grandchildren. Since then I have had two more. So now I have two boys and two girls. The older two live near me so I see them often. The younger two lives several hundred miles away.

Some of Lisa’s questions challenged me to answer. Some answers I knew right away, others required reflection. For example, this question

What is the most challenging part of being a grandma?

my answer-

Not having had a role model. My grandmothers died before I was born, so I never experienced having a grandmother in my life.

This question was easy.

What is one thing (or more) you’re proud to say you do right as a grandma?

We (including the grandpa) offer advice and help when asked, but we don’t butt in, interfere, criticize, or make demands. We let the parents be the parents.

Lisa asked me to submit a few photos of me with my grandkids; perusing my photos sparked many happy memories.

Lisa’s final question was –

What one bit of advice would you give a new grandma?

Learn the answer at Lisa’s post which you will find at this link-

Grilled Grandma: Grandma Aletha

The First-Time Grandmother’s Journal: Inspiring Prompts to Celebrate Your Experience with a New Grandchild

Lisa Carpenter wrote a book/journal about grandparenting. This beautiful guided grandmother’s journal will help you capture your thoughts, feelings, and memories as you embark on this thrilling, life-changing journey. (affiliate link, may earn a commission)

Read sample here

Taking Care of Your Grandchildren

Even though they are my grandchildren, I keep in mind that they are someone else’s children, even though the someone else is my child. I need to be mindful of their parenting plans and any special needs of the kids.

This article from Nemours Kids Health gives grandparents a refresher course in caring for children. Whether they are with you for just a few hours, several days, or live with you, this gives practical tips on keeping them healthy and safe when they are in your care. Here are some highlights.

It’s important to know a child’s medical history, including any allergies and any medicines your grandchild takes.

Always place infants younger than 1 year old on their backs to sleep to reduce their risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Never put babies on their stomachs or their sides to sleep.

Babies and children should be in child safety seats that meet current standards. All kids younger than 12 years should ride in the back seat with the appropriate safety restraint.

See that your grandkids always wear a helmet when riding a tricycle or bicycle. Make sure that the helmet fits well. Be a positive role model (and protect your own head) by wearing your helmet too.

Supervision is always the best way to keep grandkids safe. But it’s also wise to childproof your home.

Washing hands well and often — particularly after going to the bathroom and before preparing or eating food — is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of any illness, from the flu to stomach bugs.

Offer your grandkids a variety of free-time activities to try. Turn off devices and TVs during meals and homework, and set a good example by limiting your own screen time.

Learn CPR

If you don’t already know CPR, consider taking a class or refresher course. CPR is done differently in children than in adults. Infants and children are more likely to suffer respiratory arrest -quit breathing- than cardiac arrest-heart stopping. Common causes include choking, drowning, and trauma. Sources for training include

  • American Red Cross
  • American Heart Association
  • your local schools’ adult education programs
  • local hospitals and medical training programs

sharing the HEART of healthy grandparenting

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Grandma Aletha

cheesy-free faith-focused stock photos

Lightstock-quality photos and graphics site- here. 

(This is an affiliate link)