The Children's Museum of Denver Literacy Programs

Since its inception in 1973, The Children's Museum of Denver has served the Metro Denver community as an informal learning institute dedicated to the education and growth of young children and their caregivers. The year 1997 marked a turning point for the Museum. Acting on information from the community, The Museum changed its mission, revitalized its organizational culture, and established standards that focused on serving newborn through eight-year-olds and their adult caregivers. This focus helped the organization reach a milestone in 2000 with a first floor renovation and opening of The Center for the Young Child, a state-of-the-art playscape designed for newborn through four-year-olds and their caregivers.

The Museum's products are researched-based and created deliberately to address what children need developmentally at various stages of their lives. Exhibits, playscapes, and programs are all developed with community input. And, in addition to its extensive programs, events, exhibits, and playscapes, The Museum is currently managing three major initiatives -- literacy (which is supported through the Tattered Cover Gives Back program), diversity, and science.