In 2009, the Children's Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) launched the EatSleepPlay™
Health Initiative with the cooperation of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and a national advisory board of pediatric and health experts, researchers, and community partners. At the heart of EatPlayGrow™
is CMOM's adaptation of the NIH's We Can!
(Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition)® program (originally for parents and children ages 8 to 13) into the 11-lesson EatSleepPlay™
curriculum for children ages 6 and younger and their adult caregivers. This curriculum combines the latest science and research from the NIH with CMOM's holistic arts and literacy-based pedagogy to engage families and adults who work with young children with creative programs and consistent health messages in informal and formal learning environments.
As part of the EatSleepPlay™
Health Initiative, CMOM also developed a comprehensive model of community engagement
that utilizes the lessons from the EatPlayGrow™
curriculum to provide: Direct Service Programs for Parents and Children
in low-income communities; Professional Development Trainings
for adults who work with young low-income children; Partnership Building and Community Resource Development
to create, build, and sustain a community network of organizations and city agencies; EatSleepPlay™: Building Health Every Day
, an interactive health exhibit at CMOM and accompanying public program series; and exhibit component plans and visual treatments for small museums, libraries, and community centers.