To Innovate or Get Back to the Basics, or Maybe Both?

Museums ‘should provide more hands-on experiences for children’; Museums should focus on providing real experiences like handling objects and dressing up as historical characters Photo: GETTY

Recently a group I follow on Facebook shared an article that really struck a note with me personally and professionally, as this blog is sort of a statement to the influences of technology. A group in the UK, Kids in Museums, has published a “manifesto” that gets down to one point: kids aren’t impressed by the flashing lights and technological interactive displays that museums have to offer, and museums should be focusing on a more hands-on approach to learning. You can read the full article here, but in the meantime, let’s discuss the brass tacks of this discussion, as it’s been one battle fought in the background in museums across the country for the last 20 years.

Technology has its place in museums, and I hope that my readers don’t feel like I’m attacking the use of it in museums. But most educational toys nowadays have more flashing lights and impressive sounds than a person can shake a stick at (that’s actually a lot of fun, by the way, shaking a stick); the interactive displays and technicolor lighting in some exhibits just doesn’t begin to entrance and enlighten children as much as it used to. Here’s the thing: kids still love dress up, they still love interacting with their surroundings and creating personal experiences and memories and learning in their own unique ways.

Living history museums like the Colonial Williamsburg Museum in Virginia focus on allowing children to interact with period actors and learn about the past through hands-on activities and personal discovery. Living history museums focus on a personal experience with historical materials to bring home the lessons of the past to help the future. Again, technology has its place in museums, but the true value of hands-on learning can’t be underestimated.

What do you think? Should museums focus on a more hands-on approach to their collections and displays, or should they keep the “please don’t touch” signs in place? What suggestions do you have for your local museums and historical societies to increase audience learning and visitor educational opportunities?

If you’re interested in more hands-on history opportunities, please feel free to check out a list of open air and living history museums on wikipedia. While not a complete list by any means, it is constantly being updated and can provide your next educational opportunity in the world of museums!

Tuesdays are for Toddlers: swimming with the fish!

Since we covered zoos last week, we’re going to take it to the water this week and explore another type of living collection that’s making waves: Aquariums!

Much like zoos, aquariums preserve, research, and collect aquatic species from around the world and in that region. Some of these species are rare or endangered, while others are quite common; the thing is, we haven’t even explored that much of the ocean to know for sure. Sharks are one of the few types of fish that researchers can say for certain are endangered because of their interactions with humans throughout history. Manned deep sea explorations are expensive and dangerous because of the type of equipment needed and the risks involved with pressure effects on the human body.

On March 26, 2012, James Cameron piloted the second manned mission to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. PHOTOGRAPH BY MARK THIESSEN, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

Aquariums show a different part of the world that most of us won’t have a chance to visit or see because of the environment and risks involved, so always make sure to remind your toddler that while these fish and other aquatic species are pretty and unique, they also may live a long way from where you do and it is a truly humbling thought to know just how different their environment is to ours.

Now, onto the learning portion! While you’re observing the animals in their tanks, talk about physical differences you see in some of the species. Are some larger than others? Are some more brightly colored than others? Talk about why this may be, and always remember to ask aquarium staff or volunteers about any of the species. Volunteers are there because they have a passion for the subject and you’d be amazed at the amount of knowledge they have on some of these animals!

Please note that I do keep saying “fish and aquatic species”; fish aren’t the only things that live in the ocean and sea! Jellyfish, for example, are not fish while seahorses are. And then there are birds and seals and otters and whales that live in and around aquatic areas as well. There’s a lot to see at the Seattle Aquarium and they make sure to focus on all aspects of aquatic life, from tidal pool discovery tanks to the Giant Pacific Octopus to the Harbor Seals and Sea Otters outside. Other Aquariums are zoo/aquarium combinations like the Dallas World Aquarium in Dallas, Texas. If you don’t have an aquarium in your area, make sure to stop by when you’re in a city that has one and explore the ocean and the waves with your toddler.

Check out some of the craft and exploration ideas at The Imagination Tree and have fun creating!

For a fun craft activity that you can do at home, try making your own bubble wrap print fish mobile from The Imagination Tree using materials from around the house! Remind your toddler that a group of fish is called a school, and let them create their very own school of fish that can always stay together.