The Body

what kind of display is it? is it inside the human body? If so i think that it would be great. He could see all the organs and really ask some question about how the body works.

I was just at the Science Center with my daughters and their preschool class. We did not see the exhibit, but it appeared that it was mostely college students waiting to see the exhibit, there were never any kids in the line to enter the exhibit.

three of my thirty-year-old friends went to this. they were so highly disturbed they couldn't talk about it. especially disturbed by the dead children and dead pregnant woman. i want to see it but would never bring my child until possibly teen years. (fyi: i am not overly religious, a yoga teacher and massage therapist myself, and it's not an "ethical" thing with me~ just a human/psyche thing :) )

I think that you know your child best and that you probably know what he can or can't handle. I would make sure that he was prepared for what he was going to see and be ready to answer lots of questions. I would also try to keep an eye on him and if he looks uncomfortable at any point in time, I would get him out.

Yeah, thats a tough one. Maybe you could show him some pictures of something similiar online, and see how he reacts to it? Maybe also then start explaining it to him, so he understands how it all works. Ask him if he might like to see something like this bigger?? I understand what people are telling you, but every child is different. He might not even be freaked out at all. If he gets scared, you could always leave. Maybe not get too close to them? I hope some of this helps. :) Good Luck.

C.

I think that you should take your son. I have 2, 4 year old almost 5 year old boys and I would take mine. kids at that age have so many questions about the body, take hime let him ask his questions. Then he will get the answers from you and not someone else.

I know someone who has seen it and it is very graphic. I would recommend introducing your son to an anatomy book that shows pictures of the human body (the musculoskeletal pics) and see what his reaction is. If it is something he says he would like to see in person and truly is mature for 5 then I guess you should do what you feel is best. Personally, I discouraged my husband from taking my 8 year old stepson to see it because he still gets a little scared when he sees blood and gets nightmares occasionally. Good luck.

You are the only one who knows your son and his maturity level-- my daughter is almost 8, and very into the body and how it all work, I would take her. I say if you think he would handle and understand then take him, kids are alot smarter than alot of people give them credit for.

I have been in nursing school or preparing for it since my son was 3 years old. I never thought twice about letting him look through my books and if he asked any questions I answered. He is now 8 and knows more about the human body than most aduts I know-including the names, functions, and locations of most, if not all organs. He has tons of his own anatomy books also. I would encourge it as much as possible. Spark interest enough, it could lead to a nice career one day.

My son went and saw this exibit. He is 7, he loved it. I think its great for the kids to see it, they can learn alot. Take your son, he'll love it.

It is NEVER to early to start learning.. my mom used to take me to her A&P classaes when I was only 6... Now I love learning about the body and what not. Take your son, he would have fun...:)

N., I definately believe you should not take your child to that exhibit. It is too extreme for him at this age. I taught middle school science and some children at that age would have a hard time with the human body in it's natural state. Don't take your son there either go alone or find someone who's already into anatomy & physiology to go with you.

Hi my name is H. I have a son who is 2yrs old and I am a nursing student. I too want to go to that exhibit. My friend just went this weekend. I have to agree with the others he is probably a little to young to see it. They have bodies that are cut in two so you can see all the organs. It could possibly give him nightmares. Or on the other hand he could love it. I would go on your gut feeling, the only one who knows your son the best is yourself.

I went with my husband and we are in the medical field also. Our daughter is 9 and we didn't feel she would have enjoyed it at all at that age. It really was rather boring after awhile and I'm sure my daughter would have been also. I know it's a once in a lifetime thing but I just was in Chicago and there is another one there so I think the chance will come along again when he is older and may appreciate it more. I didn't see any other kids his age when I went going through the exhibit. Hope this helps.

Hi Nicole,

Well personally I think it is alright. My daughter is 5 and she is 6 today. I think that exposing your son to his body and how it works is a wonderful idea. I am a nurse going to school to become a physician. My daughter watches ER and House with me she is very in tune with how things work. You would be doing a good thing. You know as well as I do are little ones are sponges so what ever we give them they absorb - and if we as parents give it to them then we gauge how they absorb it. I say go for it mom!

I think that that would be your choice to let him view that or not. My 6 year old son just went on a field trip to DSC and they felt that the kids were to young to see something like that. I personally feel that I wouold have let my son go there and see it, if I were with him. I don't think that children should be afraid of what the human body has to offer. The only reason a child would even be "afraid" would be by what others have told them. Have fun and happy learning!