Welcome!

This blog is an assignment for a graduate Museum Studies class at Tufts University called “Museums and New Media.”  I am a former kindergarten teacher who is interested in how museums create educational opportunities for children through exhibits and programming, including field trips, tours, outreach programs, and special events.  I have explored a number of museums from the perspective of a general visitor and an educator, particularly children’s museums and science centers, and come away impressed with the incredible learning opportunities available at these institutions.  I have two goals for this blog:

1)      To look at museums and their exhibits, and offer insight into the great learning and discovery that takes place for young kids.  I also want to encourage parents to join in the fun and take advantage of these opportunities to support their children’s learning.

2)      To inspire parents to extend museum learning into the home by providing suggestions for fun activities and quality literature that connect with what their children experience at the museum.

I hope to show that fun and learning are truly intertwined for children at museums, and that this shouldn’t stop once they leave.  I also look forward to your thoughts about these and other museums, ideas for ways that families can engage in discovery at home, and suggestions for children’s books that can help bring learning to life.