A new exhibit now under assembly at Sheboygan’s Above and Beyond Children’s Museum will shine a light on children’s mental health, especially as it relates to healthy development through play.
The exhibit is called ABC’s of Empathy: Nurturing Compassion Through Play. The 700-square-foot exhibit is designed to help children and caregivers build emotional regulation skills through guided play, and was made possible by two impactful $100,000 donations; one from the Nina and David Kohler Family Trust for Charitable Giving, and a resulting match by the Black Spring Foundation. The two contributions have made a major advance on the exhibit goal of $350,000. With installation slated for late 2026 into early 2027, ABC’s of Empathy will translate evidence-based children’s mental health research into immersive, accessible experiences, featuring an interactive feelings wheel, an alphabet-based emotional wellness journey, and a vibrant mural by Christina Persika Design. The installation will occupy the first and second floors of the museum.
Cate Tinker, Executive Director of Above & Beyond Children’s Museum, said that the gifts were “…a powerful statement that our community believes children’s mental health belongs at the center of how we play, learn, and grow together.” She also expressed gratitude to Nina and David Kohler for their commitment to mental health and wellness in Sheboygan and beyond, as well as to Natalie Black’s lasting legacy to young people and families in the community.
Comments