Q: My charges and I are looking to make the most of the city’s many museums. What can I do to really make this a learning event for them?
A: Outings are a great way to expose kids to new ideas and reinforce concepts you have taught at home. Museums, especially those designed with kids in mind, offer kids tactile experiences and many ways to interact with information. It is important however to prepare for visits and keep in mind that while fun, these outings really should be all about learning.
THE BASICS:
Be sure to be safe! Choose museums in places where you are comfortable being responsible for your kids.
Museums usually have days of the week that they are closed- often Mondays. Be sure to check the hours.
If your charges are under age 7, it might be best to check out the local children’s museum first. These are hands on, interactive places geared for younger children.
Museum visits often stimulate all kinds of learners(visual, tactile, auditory, etc..).
Outings like this are a great opportunity to teach manners and other social interactions with a wide variety of people.
Visiting a museum can make important connections for children between concepts and ideas. Exhibits not only reinforce teaching but offer inspiration and understanding.
WHAT WE CAN DO:
Museums can inspire kids in all sorts of ways, but their memory may be short. Bring along a notepad and some colored pencils or crayons to allow kids to record their thoughts in pictures or words while things are fresh.
Make lists prior to going to the museum of a few things you particularly want to see. This is great for places where you know you will not be able to see everything!
Construct a scavenger hunt through the museum. You can find photos of things on the internet for pre readers. This is great when you are trying to work with multiple aged groups or through art museums. You can make lists targeted to different age and skill levels.
Plan your visits as the finale to learning units that you have completed at home. A visit to the natural science museum after a unit on dinosaurs for example.
Don’t discount a museum because your children are too young. Kids will get out of a visit basic ideas and concepts. Just be sure to keep your visit short and to the point.
Use outings like this to practice social skills. Role play situations before you go- such as waiting for your turn, staying together, asking questions, etc..
Check the website of your museums for educational pre and post visit activities and lesson plans. A great resource!
Also be sure to get each child a guide to the museum and map, kids enjoy the feeling of control plus what a great way to teach map reading skills.
Younger kids will enjoy repetition and older kids will want to zoom thru exhibits. If traveling with multiple age groups, be sure to discuss in advance how you and the kids will handle this.
Be careful to ask questions instead of lecture. Asking directed and open ended questions will make the experience more interactive and keep kids engaged longer.
FOR MORE INFO
Museum Directory
eHow article on visiting Museums
the Association of Children’s Museums
Association of Science Technology Centers
Association of Art Museums
Do you have a link to a site with great info and ideas?? Email us at [email protected]
A: Outings are a great way to expose kids to new ideas and reinforce concepts you have taught at home. Museums, especially those designed with kids in mind, offer kids tactile experiences and many ways to interact with information. It is important however to prepare for visits and keep in mind that while fun, these outings really should be all about learning.
THE BASICS:
Be sure to be safe! Choose museums in places where you are comfortable being responsible for your kids.
Museums usually have days of the week that they are closed- often Mondays. Be sure to check the hours.
If your charges are under age 7, it might be best to check out the local children’s museum first. These are hands on, interactive places geared for younger children.
Museum visits often stimulate all kinds of learners(visual, tactile, auditory, etc..).
Outings like this are a great opportunity to teach manners and other social interactions with a wide variety of people.
Visiting a museum can make important connections for children between concepts and ideas. Exhibits not only reinforce teaching but offer inspiration and understanding.
WHAT WE CAN DO:
Museums can inspire kids in all sorts of ways, but their memory may be short. Bring along a notepad and some colored pencils or crayons to allow kids to record their thoughts in pictures or words while things are fresh.
Make lists prior to going to the museum of a few things you particularly want to see. This is great for places where you know you will not be able to see everything!
Construct a scavenger hunt through the museum. You can find photos of things on the internet for pre readers. This is great when you are trying to work with multiple aged groups or through art museums. You can make lists targeted to different age and skill levels.
Plan your visits as the finale to learning units that you have completed at home. A visit to the natural science museum after a unit on dinosaurs for example.
Don’t discount a museum because your children are too young. Kids will get out of a visit basic ideas and concepts. Just be sure to keep your visit short and to the point.
Use outings like this to practice social skills. Role play situations before you go- such as waiting for your turn, staying together, asking questions, etc..
Check the website of your museums for educational pre and post visit activities and lesson plans. A great resource!
Also be sure to get each child a guide to the museum and map, kids enjoy the feeling of control plus what a great way to teach map reading skills.
Younger kids will enjoy repetition and older kids will want to zoom thru exhibits. If traveling with multiple age groups, be sure to discuss in advance how you and the kids will handle this.
Be careful to ask questions instead of lecture. Asking directed and open ended questions will make the experience more interactive and keep kids engaged longer.
FOR MORE INFO
Museum Directory
eHow article on visiting Museums
the Association of Children’s Museums
Association of Science Technology Centers
Association of Art Museums
Do you have a link to a site with great info and ideas?? Email us at [email protected]