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Cultivating curiosity : optimizing the benefits of museum visits for children under five

Baš, Mojca D’Arcy Ann

This conceptual paper investigates the intersection of early childhood development and museum education, focusing specifically on the experiences and needs of children under five. From birth to age five, the early years represent a critical window for holistic development, laying the foundation for lifelong learning, behavior, and well-being. Young children greatly benefit from diverse experiences that nurture curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving during this crucial period. With their educational, cultural, and historical missions, museums are well positioned to make meaningful contributions to this developmental stage. However, museum programming often centers on school-aged children, with limited resources specifically designed for children under five and the early childhood educators (ECES) who support them. Much existing research also emphasizes family-based museum learning, highlighting a notable gap in understanding the educator-child dynamic within these spaces. To address this gap, the paper explores how museums can more effectively engage young children through developmentally appropriate programming and educator support. First, it synthesizes existing literature to identify the best practices and essential elements for early childhood engagement in museums. Second, it analyzes publicly available information from museum websites in Newfoundland and Labrador to assess how current programming accommodates children under five, particularly regarding accessibility, developmental alignment, and educator resources. Third, the paper proposes a practical, research-informed toolkit to equip ECES and museum professionals with strategies for creating inclusive, meaningful museum experiences for young learners. This paper contributes to the growing discourse on cultural institutions as partners in early learning by bridging the divide between research and practice. The proposed toolkit offers a concrete, evidence-based resource to empower educators and museums alike in fostering developmentally appropriate and engaging environments for children under five.

Text

University of British Columbia. EDCP 590

Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library

10.14288/1.0448524

Education, Faculty of; Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of

Unreviewed

Mojca D'Arcy Ann Baš

DSpace