I’m a huge believer in museums as essential educational infrastructure. Not just as providers of supplemental out-of-school experiences, but as organizations that excel in place-based, hands-on, experiential learning. This blog has spotlighted many kinds of museum schools, as well as the growing National Association of Museum Schools. In today’s post, Deborah Spiegelman, CEO and Executive Director at Miami Children’s Museum, introduces a new national collective uniting museum-based preschools, and invites your museum to join.
Yours from the future,
Elizabeth Merritt, VP Strategic Foresight & Founding Director, Center for the Future of Museums, American Alliance of Museums
As we look toward the future, museums are uniquely positioned to play a pivotal role in early childhood education. At Miami Children’s Museum, we have always believed in the power of playful learning and interactive experiences. Today, I am thrilled to announce the launch of the Museum Playful Learning Collective, the first national collective of museum-based preschools, and to invite your museum to join this dynamic group. This initiative, born out of our passion for early childhood education, represents a significant step forward in how museums can help build a better tomorrow.
The Impetus for Creating the Collective
The idea for the Museum Playful Learning Collective stemmed from our ongoing commitment to educational innovation and excellence. Over the years, Miami Children’s Museum has pioneered various programs that integrate play-based learning with curriculum standards. As the only institution to host an on-site K-5th charter school, we have witnessed firsthand the empirical benefits of such an approach. Our charter school is accredited by Cognia, holds a STEM accreditation, and has received an A grade from the Florida Department of Education for more than sixteen years.
Recognizing the profound impact of our educational model, we sought to expand its reach. The Museum Playful Learning Collective brings together museums across the country to collaborate, share best practices, and develop a cohesive framework for museum-based preschools. Together, members aim to create an environment where children can thrive through hands-on, interactive learning experiences that museums are uniquely positioned to provide. Additionally, the collective is open to members who do not work in a museum school but are intrigued by the learning style and standards of museum educators, and seek ideas on how they can incorporate those into their schools.
The Importance of the Preschool Collective
The Museum Playful Learning Collective is more than a network of museum-based preschools and those interested in learning more about how children learn in museum programs. It is a movement to redefine early childhood education. By bringing together museums from different regions, we can explore an approach to preschool education that emphasizes the importance of play, exploration, and creativity.
In addition to the collective’s ten foundational members, another twenty have been added since the collective’s launch. Together, the members span children’s museums, science museums, preschools, and more. The collective aims to identify commonalities among these varied institutions to redefine early childhood education in museums.
The collective is accepting new members across the country, aiming to share insights on the advantages of museum-based preschool education, the alignment of educational frameworks within museum programs, and the best methods to measure kindergarten readiness in cultural institutions. This collaborative effort will demonstrate the effectiveness of museum-based preschools in fostering cognitive and social development.
The museum-based preschool programs of the collective prioritize playful and interactive learning experiences for young children. Studies have shown that children who engage in play-based learning exhibit better problem-solving skills, higher levels of creativity, and improved social interactions. These skills are not only crucial for academic success but also for personal development and lifelong learning.
The Role of Museums in Early Childhood Education
Museums are beacons of experiential learning, offering unique opportunities for families to engage in exhibits sparking curiosity and fostering a love for learning. By integrating preschool education within museums, we leverage resources to create enriching experiences that go beyond the classroom settings.
Early childhood is a critical period for cognitive, social, and emotional development. The preschool years lay the foundation for lifelong learning, and it is imperative that we provide children with a stimulating and supportive environment. Museums, with their diverse collections and interactive exhibits, are perfectly suited to offer such an environment. Through play-based learning and interactive demonstrations, children can engage in museums, deepening their understanding and enhancing their learning outcomes.
The natural link between early childhood education and museums has been explored individually, such as in the CFM guest post “When Preschool IS the Museum.” In it, the author envisions a future where museums, public education, and resources better deliver what children in the community need. We are proud to share that the Museum Playful Learning Collective is helping achieve that vision.
Support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services
We are also proud that the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the leading source of federal museum and library funding, is supporting the Museum Playful Learning Collective through a Museums for America grant.
“High-quality early childhood education is critical to the success of future generations and advances the agency’s emphasis on championing lifelong learning,” said IMLS Deputy Director of Museums Services Laura Huerta Migus. “We know that museums and libraries provide a unique environment for children to grow into engaged members of their communities. It is our hope that this collective will develop and share practices that empower more museums to offer preschool options.”
Building a Better Tomorrow
The launch of the Museum Playful Learning Collective marks a significant milestone in our journey to enhance early childhood education. At Miami Children’s Museum, we are committed to enriching the lives of all children by fostering a love of learning, and the collective will play a crucial role in achieving that goal with one of our key audiences, preschoolers. By creating a collaborative environment and exploring the advantages of museum-based learning for our young learners, we can help shape the future of education and build a better tomorrow for our children.
Visit the museum’s research site to learn more about the Museum Playful Learning Collective or to sign up to become a partner. The collective’s first newsletter will go out in early September, so interested potential partners are encouraged to sign up by the end of August to be on the mailing list.
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