I strongly believe that museums are a critical infrastructure for education, not only as providers of supplemental out-of-school experiences, but also as organizations that excel at place-based, hands-on, experiential learning. In this blog, we've been highlighting different kinds of museum schools and the growing National Association of Museum Schools. In today's post, Deborah Spiegelman, CEO and Executive Director of Miami Children's Museum, introduces a new national organization that brings together museum-based preschools and invites your museum to join.
From the future to you,
Elizabeth Merritt, vice president of strategic foresight and founding director, Center for the Future of Museums, American Association of Museums
As we look to 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, we are excited to announce the launch of the Museum Playful Learning Collective, the nation's first collective of museum-based preschools, and invite your museum to join this dynamic group. Born out of our passion for early childhood education, this initiative represents a major step forward in how museums can contribute to building a better tomorrow.
The opportunity to create a group
The idea for the museum's playful learning cohort was born out of our ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in education. Over the years, Miami Children's Museum has pioneered a variety of programs that integrate play-based learning with curriculum standards. As the only institution that hosts K-5 on its premises,Number Since our charter school’s founding, we have seen firsthand the proven benefits of such an approach: Our charter school is Cognia accredited, STEM certified, and has received an A rating from the Florida Department of Education for over 16 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 consistent framework for museum-based preschools. Together, members aim to create environments where children can thrive through the hands-on, interactive learning experiences that museums can offer. Additionally, the collective welcomes members who don't work in museum schools but are intrigued by the learning styles and standards of museum educators and want ideas on how to incorporate them into their schools.
The importance of the kindergarten group
The Museum Playful Learning Collective is more than a network of museum-based preschools and people who want to learn more about how children learn in museum programs. It is a movement to redefine early childhood education. By bringing together museums from across the region, we are exploring approaches to early childhood education that emphasize the importance of play, exploration, and creativity.
The group's original ten members have since grown to include twenty others from a diverse range of institutions, including children's museums, science museums, and preschools. The group's goal is to identify common ground between different institutions and redefine early childhood education in museums.
The organization is recruiting new members across the country and aims to share insights on the benefits of museum-based early childhood education, aligning educational frameworks within museum programs, and how best to measure kindergarten readiness in cultural institutions. This collaborative effort will demonstrate that museum-based preschools are effective in promoting cognitive and social development.
The organization's museum-based preschool program emphasizes playful, interactive learning experiences for young children. Research shows that children who engage in play-based learning have higher problem-solving skills, higher levels of creativity, and improved social interactions. These skills are important not only for academic achievement, but also for personal growth and lifelong learning.
The role of museums in early childhood education
Museums are hubs for experiential learning, providing unique opportunities for families to interact with exhibits, sparking curiosity and fostering a love of learning. By incorporating early childhood education in our museums, we leverage our resources to create enriching experiences that go beyond the classroom setting.
The early childhood years are a pivotal time for cognitive, social and emotional development. The preschool years lay the foundations for lifelong learning, so it is essential to provide children with a stimulating and supportive environment. Museums, with their diverse collections and interactive exhibits, are perfect for providing such an environment. Through play-based learning and interactive demonstrations, children can engage with the museum, deepen their understanding and improve their learning outcomes.
The natural connection between early childhood education and museums has been explored separately, including in CFM's guest post, “When Preschools Become Museums,” in which the authors envision a future where museums, public education, and resources can better serve local children. We're proud that the Museum Playful Learning Collective is helping to make that vision a reality.
Supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services
We are also proud that the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the federal government’s lead funding agency for museums and libraries, supports the Museum Playful Learning Collective through a Museums for America grant.
“Quality early childhood education is critical to the success of future generations and advances the agency's focus on promoting lifelong learning,” said Laura Huerta Miggs, IMLS deputy director of museum services. “We know that museums and libraries provide unique environments for children to grow as active members of their communities, and we hope that this collaborative will develop and share practices that will enable more museums to offer preschool options.”
Building a better tomorrow
The launch of the Museum Playful Learning Collective marks an important milestone in our efforts to improve 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 this collective plays a key role in achieving that goal with one of our primary audiences: preschoolers. By creating a supportive environment and exploring the benefits of museum-based learning for young learners, we can help shape the future of education and build a better tomorrow for our children.
If you would like to find out more about the Museum Playful Learning Collective or sign up to become a partner, please visit the Museum's research site The organisation's first newsletter will be published in early September, so interested potential partners are encouraged to sign up by the end of August to get on the mailing list.
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