Museums as a resource for learning
A story about possible learning during excursions to the museum.
Does the opportunity to interact with a range of cultural taonga deepen children’s understanding of the bicultural heritage of Aotearoa New Zealand?
This research question was explored in an early childhood setting located close to Te Papa Tongarewa | The Museum of New Zealand. This proximity enabled multiple visits to the museum and built children’s learning incrementally alongside their growing sense of pride and identity as New Zealanders, which was shared with others.
Kindergarten routines and practices were rethought to incorporate more Māori concepts and rituals. Documentation of the visits and books of drawings by children have further helped strengthen understanding.
Other settings might also make use of local museums to enrich children’s learning about local history from multiple perspectives and encourage a deeper understanding of the history and partnership brought by Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Reference
Clarkin-Phillips, J., Paki, V., Fruean, L., Armstrong, G., & Crowe, N. (2012). Exploring te ao Māori: The role of museums. Early Childhood Folio, 16(1), 10–14.
About this resource
Visiting the local museum shows the possibilities of using public resources to connect to a bicultural heritage.