Welcoming Young Children into the Museum

Welcoming Young Children into the Museum

Author: Sarah Erdman

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2021-11-29

Total Pages: 145

ISBN-13: 1000482391

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Welcoming Young Children into the Museum provides all of the information practitioners need to consider when making the decision to engage with this audience and their carers. Meeting the reader where they are, this guide enables professionals to work toward outcomes that fit with their needs. Working methodically from the initial stages of bringing staff on board, through to implementation and evaluation, readers are carefully steered through each phase. "Big-picture" needs, like adherence to mission, are considered alongside logistical components, like cleaning schedules, to ensure that museums cater to young children in a way that is beneficial to both the visitors and the institution. Drawing on current neurological research and best practices in early childhood education and development, this guide presents case studies from a variety of different institutions around the world that demonstrate that creating interesting, developmentally appropriate opportunities for young children is about much more than just simplifying what is already on offer. Erdman, Nguyen and Middleton demonstrate that the age and needs of the visitors must be taken into careful consideration, as well as the assets and potential obstacles of the institution. Welcoming Young Children into the Museum will be essential reading for professionals working in museums large and small, regardless of type. It will be useful to those who are considering setting up new programmes for early years audiences and those with existing programmes, who would like to improve their offering.


Thinking Critically about Environments for Young Children

Thinking Critically about Environments for Young Children

Author: Lisa P. Kuh

Publisher: Teachers College Press

Published: 2014-06-13

Total Pages: 217

ISBN-13: 0807755451

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This comprehensive book will help early childhood practitioners consider the "why" and "how" of setting up classrooms and other learning spaces to create environments that are most conducive to child development. Using a practice-based focus and a researcher lens, the contributors consider the ways in which enviroments for children enhance or diminish educational experiences, how social constructs about what is good for children influence environmental design, and what practitioners can do in their own work when creating learning environments for young children. There are copious examples from practice, lessons learned, and illustrations and photographs of key aspects of the environments they discuss.


Museums and Well-being

Museums and Well-being

Author: Rose Cull

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2022-10-07

Total Pages: 124

ISBN-13: 1000719537

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Museums and Well-being outlines the historical development of well-being within museums and offers a critical engagement with this field from a museum studies perspective. The essential thesis of the book is that well-being is a collective action. The book utilises the Five Ways to Well-being as a model: Connect, Be Active, Keep Learning, Give and Take Notice. Each of these Ways are explored through a specific museum object illustrating the important role collections can play in museum well-being. The book considers how museum well-being, and the austerity project became entwined, and how the COVID-19 pandemic supercharged growth in this field. The book explores such diverse topics as walking, slow art, social capital, Virginia Woolf, body positivity, collective joy, identity, art therapy, yoga, Squid Game, Effective Altruism, mindfulness, gift exchange, the Preston model, the limits of data, sketching, photography, inclusive spaces, and workplace well-being. The book signposts a vast array of existing information, and offers a critical engagement with current practices. Museums and Well-being is aimed initially to students of museum studies programmes, it is also an ideal book for museum staff who need to add a well-being component to their existing programming; or to reconsider existing programming from the perspective of well-being.


Museums, Children and Social Action

Museums, Children and Social Action

Author: Sharon E. Shaffer

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2023-12-15

Total Pages: 122

ISBN-13: 1003834000

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Museums, Children and Social Action examines the role that museums play in reaching, teaching and inspiring children as global citizens of the world and, looking to the future, argues that the sustainability of museums will come from strengthening relationships with young visitors. Presenting a diverse range of programs, exhibitions and outreach from museums across five continents, Shaffer highlights how museums are already serving children and making a difference in their lives. Arguing that museums have a unique responsibility to connect this audience with relevant social issues and challenges, such as social injustice, racism, climate change and poverty, Shaffer simultaneously acknowledges that a large number of children are still on the margins of the institution and its mission. Recognizing the ways in which museums are currently serving children, the book also considers what museums could and should be doing as they plan for the future, raising critical questions about core values, community partners and social agendas. Museums, Children and Social Action is essential reading for academics and students engaged in the study of museums, social justice and childhood. It encourages museums to make it their mission to educate and serve this audience and their families for the good of children, as well as museums, while also considering what their institutions can do to make a lasting impact on children and their families.


Museums and Interactive Virtual Learning

Museums and Interactive Virtual Learning

Author: Allyson Mitchell

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2022-04-19

Total Pages: 181

ISBN-13: 1000566439

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Museums and Interactive Virtual Learning provides informal educators with practical resources that will help them to build dynamic digital engagement experiences within their own cultural organizations. Presenting vignettes from experienced museum educators and end users, as well as scientific data and practical resources, the book highlights the mutual benefits that Interactive Virtual Learning (IVL) programs offer to the museum and those visiting from a distance. Chapters mirror the step-by-step process of developing reputable IVL programs and emphasize how important it is for cultural organizations to encourage cross-departmental collaboration, if they wish to ensure that their programs align with the overall goals of the organization. Providing a thorough overview of the technologies, budget, marketing and staff requirements, the authors offer a realistic depiction of the work involved in building content for digital engagement. Emphasizing the importance of assessing existing programming, the book shows how institutions can adapt content to fit a virtual format and create inclusive digital engagement opportunities that reach local, national, and international audiences. Museums and Interactive Virtual Learning is an essential guide for professionals who are tasked with interpreting the content of a cultural organization and building lasting digital engagement opportunities. It will be particularly useful to those looking to reach diverse audiences.


The Sustainable Museum

The Sustainable Museum

Author: Christopher J. Garthe

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2022-11-30

Total Pages: 276

ISBN-13: 1000645789

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The Sustainable Museum is the first book to outline a coherent strategy for the direction of museums, as it relates to sustainability in the museum and heritage sector. Arguing that museums must place sustainability at the centre of all their activities, if they are to become key actors with a clear societal role, Garthe considers the issues that museums will likely face as they take on their new roles. Presenting case studies from a wide range of museums around the world, the book considers different ways of implementing sustainability in different types and sizes of institutions. Whilst the book clearly outlines the need for change, it also provides guidance about how to change. Garthe does this by considering specific concepts and approaches to sustainability in relation to the different aspects of museum operations. The book includes a hands-on manual for implementing sustainability management in a museum, whilst also considering the challenges practitioners will encounter and considering what the future of the sustainable museum might look like. The Sustainable Museum will be essential reading for museum and heritage professionals around the globe. The book will also be of interest to academics and students engaged in the study of museums, arts and cultural management, business administration, change management or sustainable development.


Evaluating Early Learning in Museums

Evaluating Early Learning in Museums

Author: Nicole Cromartie

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2021-04-01

Total Pages: 96

ISBN-13: 1000376710

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Evaluating Early Learning in Museums presents developmentally appropriate and culturally relevant practices for engaging early learners and their families in informal arts settings. Written by early childhood education researchers and a museum practitioner, the book showcases what high-quality educational programs can offer young children and their families through the case study of a program at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia. Providing strategies for building strong community partnerships and audience relationships, the authors also survey evaluation tools for early learning programs and offer strategies to help museums around the world to engage young children. At the center of this narrative is the seminal partnership that developed between researchers and museum educators during the evaluation of a program for toddlers. Illuminating key components of the partnership and the resulting evolution of family offerings at the museum, the book also draws parallels to current work being done at other museums in international contexts. Evaluating Early Learning in Museums illustrates how an interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers and practitioners can improve museum practices. As such, the book will be of interest to researchers and students engaged in the study of museums and early childhood, as well as to practitioners working in museums around the world.


Viewing Art with Babies

Viewing Art with Babies

Author: Kathy Danko-McGhee

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2023-06-06

Total Pages: 117

ISBN-13: 1000882136

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Viewing Art with Babies demonstrates how to facilitate quality art viewing experiences with babies from as young as 2 months old. Such experiences can help to nurture early literacy and receptive language skills, sensory stimulation, and early brain development. Based on the author’s research with babies in New Zealand, Australia, Romania, England, and the U.S., the book provides the reader with information about early brain, vision, sensory and language development, and the aesthetic preferences of babies. Danko-McGhee provides details about the type of art that babies like, how to display art in the learning environment, and how to interact with a baby when viewing art. Case studies of international museums, national museums, and community agencies that have had success with engaging babies in art viewing experiences have been included in the book as a way of demonstrating how theory and research can be successfully put into practice. Viewing Art with Babies details practical ways through which museum practitioners, early childhood and community educators, and parents can provide artviewing experiences in the museum, early childhood classroom or even their own home. It will be of interest to practitioners and parents around the world, and those engaged in the study of museum education.


A Practical Guide to Costumed Interpretation

A Practical Guide to Costumed Interpretation

Author: Jackie Lee

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2023-02-02

Total Pages: 176

ISBN-13: 1000832023

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

A Practical Guide to Costumed Interpretation is just that – a book that takes you through the various stages of becoming an historical costumed interpreter. Jackie Lee has worked in this area of heritage interpretation for over twenty years and sets out what it takes to develop the persona for a character from the past. The methods she shares focus on first-person delivery of an historic character. Lee introduces the reader to two new methods she has developed that support character creation and delivery. The "three realms" highlight the importance of research and making the character believable and the "crystal ball" which enables the costumed interpreter to look into the future when the occasion demands it. The book is full of practical help on all aspects of the costumed interpreter’s craft including costume making and how to prepare personally for stepping out full of confidence ready to engage visitors of all ages. A Practical Guide to Costumed Interpretation is aimed at those interested in becoming costumed interpreters as well as those who wish to develop or revise their techniques. It will also be useful for students of museum practice and heritage interpretation considering costumed interpretation as a means of on-site delivery.


Engaging Young Children in Museums

Engaging Young Children in Museums

Author: Sharon E Shaffer

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2016-06-16

Total Pages: 199

ISBN-13: 1315429551

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

What does a museum do with a kindergartner who walks through the door? The growth of interest in young children learning in museums has joined the national conversation on early childhood education. Written by Sharon Shaffer, the founding Executive Director of the innovative Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center, this is the first book for museum professionals as well as students offering guidance on planning programming for young children.This groundbreaking book:-Explains the various ways in which children learn-Shows how to use this knowledge to design effective programs using a variety of teaching models-Includes examples of successful programs, tested activities, and a set of best practices